 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fischkaster
Date: 2003-05-17 15:45
Hey All,
My son is just finishing his first year in 5th grade band. He's doing well, and is very enthusiastic about playing clarinet. He has been playing a rented instrument all year. A well used, beat, old, Bb clarinet.
I have just purchased a new student model Bb clarinet for his birthday, made by Palatino. He was so psyched when he got it, but is having a difficult time playing it. He can't get the higher notes to come out clearly if at all. The whole thing seems a bit stiff. It has been a big let down to both of us.
Maybe the instrument needs some adjustment? Or a break-in period? Or maybe the beat, old, rented one is much higher quality. Anyone have any insight about Palatino clarinets?
HELP!
Thanks
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Author: Corey
Date: 2003-05-17 15:58
Never heard of the brand name of Palatino. Sounds like a taiwan origin instrument and If so, I'm sorry to say, but you just bought a piece of junk. I would take it back and get the money back. There are brands of clarinets that are well made and good for a student: Vito, Yamaha, Buffet, Noblet, Normandy, Bundy, Selmer, etc. I hope you find a good instrumnet for your son, good luck -Corey
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-05-17 18:11
Fischkaster - While Corey may be a bit brutal in his evaluation of your Palatino clarinet, I'm afraid he is quite right. I also had not heard of this make of instruments, and likely these are the least expensive insts. available, and too many "corners" have been cut in their manufacture. Yes, return the cl for refund, or at least as a trade toward one of our good/reliable student horns by the "Big Four" makers, Selmer/Bundy, LeBlanc/Vito, Buffet/B 12-13, or Yamaha. As used Cls, these are generally available in music stores and by EBAY bidding from $100-300. I made an AOL/Google search for both Palatino Clarinets and Music to try to locate the mfgr, no luck, many internet sellers tho!! A good friend of mine, in his reputable music store's ad, significantly does NOT list Palatino Cls, but does list P string insts. In another of the ads, mention was made of "die-cast" keys,!!! IF they are of "pot-metal" [high zinc content] they are very brittle, repairers will NOT work on them because of breakage and non-replacability. Sorry to be lengthy with bad news. Is this OK, Mark C? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-05-17 18:36
"Palatino" clarinets/saxophones/flutes/violins etc... are also found under the name "Johnson" clarinets/saxophones etc...
Both are most likely "disposable" instruments that are often not worth repairing (many repair techs refuse to work on Taiwanese or Indian instruments).
Have a clarinet teacher test the instrument. If he/she feels that the instrument needs only a minor adjustment perhaps it can be made serviceable. Anything more serious would be your decision as to returning it and replacing it with one of the entry line models from the more established manufacturers (as noted by Don).
There is a great deal of information on this site regarding recommended beginner instruments.
Good luck...GBK
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