 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2003-07-15 15:54
The Hanson clarinet is a decent starter clarinet, but, the key tubings are hand filed. I had an HE-3V that, unfortunately, was defective and it cost me around $35.00 to ship it back to the U.K.
I also tried a YCL-250 from WW&BW. It had a REALLY nice sound but when I told them that it had a problem, they paid for the return shipping!!
IMO, back-up support is important. It sounds as if you'll need to try out several horns before deciding.
My vote would be for the Yamaha YCL-250.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-07-16 06:13
Dan - I'd have to agree with you about Yamaha ... my first clarinet was a Yamaha, plastic it may have been, but it played very well and the keywork was very fine. Having said that - it's not a patch on my beautiful Leblanc.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-07-16 18:27
I'd like to add a recommendation for the Vito . . . I own a Vito and I've played a student Yamaha, and the Vito plays more like a "real clarinet" in my opinion.
Also, Tom Ridenour makes hard rubber clarinets that are the acoustical twins of professional wood models. I haven't played the Bb, but I have played a C, and it did have the sound and feel of a professional model. I'm guessing his clarinets are more expensive than your general student lines, but it would be a very good horn.
Still, if this the a brand new beginner's first clarinet, I'd probably lean more towards the Vito.
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Author: Alastair Hanson
Date: 2003-07-16 23:21
Dear Dan, (and all)
I have recently been phoned by a colleague who mentioned that you had a problem with one of our clarinets and had to return it. Your biggest complaint though is that you had to pay for return carriage.
I remember the instrument; of some thousand that we have sold this is one of the only returns and I'm sorry that we shipped you an instrument that was below our usual standards.
Because we don't generally get returns we do not have a formal 'returns policy'. Our 'returns policy' is very simple; if you doin't like what you get for any reason what-so-ever you can send it back and have a full refund. In the UK we don't even ask for customers to pay before shipping; we give them a weeks trial before sending payment.
Anyway, I don't like to hear that you are unhappy in any way as a result of dealing with my company and I wish you had mentioned your gripe to us.
If you would like to get in touch and tell us the cost of shipping I will personally make certain that you are re-imbersed.
Few businesses are fortunate to get it right 100% of the time, but we certainly try our best.
Yours most sincerely
Alastair Hanson
Senior Partner
Hanson Clarinet Company
England
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-17 00:04
Good luck with the wedding Alistair. I have seen new Yamaha's that need some tweaking as well. This happens with a small percentage of all new good quality, ie. un-Chinese, instruments student or otherwise so to cite one example of a Hanson with a problem is harsh. I find them to be consisten and great value for money. I am a great supporter of anyone that throws out a legitimate challenge to the big players in student horns. I find that the YCL 250 is not on a par with the C100 predecessor. The Vito is a great instrument but is in a slightly higher price range. When is the Oehler system going to be released?
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Author: Tim Triolo
Date: 2003-07-17 00:16
Hi,
I just wanted say that I was very impressed with Alastair's generous return policy and his extension of the offer to reimburse Dan for the shipping he incurred while returning his HE-3V. I think that level of customer service is fantastic. Thanks also to those who responded to my post; I found your input to be very helpful. I am still trying to decide. An individual contacted me about an almost new Ridenour T147 she is selling, and from the posts I've read, many others like this clarinet as well. So now I'm trying to really decide between the two. Any input/opinions that might help me decide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Tim
Tim Triolo
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Author: Colin B
Date: 2003-07-17 08:27
As I have mentioned before on this board, I bought an HE 3V last October and am more than pleased with it. I would certainly rcommend them to anyone looking for a student instrument. Good luck to you, Alastair.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-07-17 15:28
An open note to Alastair: Here's an idea for a niche product that might have some buyers out there, myself included.........What the world needs (!) is a moderately-priced low-C bass clarinet! A hard-rubber (or suitable plastic) instrument with an automatic double-register-vent system and range to low C, selling for $3000 or less new, might have a surprisingly strong market. I don't know if you've sold any of your HE-1 Storm low-Eb basses, but there is already quite a bit of competition in the student bass clarinet area, yet nothing that has the extended range.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-07-17 18:26
Tim: based on your comments my opinion would be to actually try out as many clarinets as you can before actually making a purchase. Presumably your other fellow band clarinet players will allow you to try theirs and this would be the simplest way. Personally I would not go the "pay for it and try it and then return it if you don't like it" route. What does your uncle recommend? I would think that his recommendation would carry some weight. I have no experience with Hanson's horns.
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Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-08 23:55
Hi. I emailed you a while ago and haven't hear back,but do you make low c basses or any basses?
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