 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: The White
Date: 2003-08-10 09:24
I've decided on buying some new LeBlancs, Opus or Concerto (Depends on price!). I currently play on Buffet R13.
There are qualities in the LeBlanc which I like over the Buffet, which is why I have decided on LeBlanc. If I were choosing Buffet, I'd know what to look for and what are signs that the instrument might be a 'dud'. However, not having much experience in LeBlanc, what are some of the more specific signs that I am looking for? What notes in particular should I check for tuning? And are there any common faults I should look for? Any processes?
I think I'll have anywhere between 2 and 6 to choose from at any one time, however, if I'm not happy with them, I can request that they be sent back and another batch be sent for me to try.
Thanks in advance guys, I look forward to your replies!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: krawfish3x
Date: 2003-08-10 13:44
i would highly recommend that you get a proffesional to pick out a clarinet for you, or even your private teacher. if you decide to do it on you own play through each of them chromatically, with a tuner, and check for things like intonation, tone, and the fluidity in the sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2003-08-10 21:18
You might want to keep track of them by serial number, Mr. White, just so you know for sure you're trying different ones than the ones you sent back when the 'new' batch comes in.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-10 22:04
I doubt the Australian importer has any more than a half a dozen of both in stock. When I spoke to him last Thursday he said he was having trouble getting stock the next batch was 60+ days away. If you are in Australia, as your e mail address suggests, you are in dreamland if you think there are dozens and dozens of these instruments all waiting to be sent to you for personal approval. I would love to know which retailer is telling you this.
" I can request that they be sent back and another batch be sent for me to try." Sounds a little imperious to me!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-08-10 23:59
Imperious and inexperienced, no doubt.
Amazing, the presumption of service young players expect from sellers.
Small wonder they sell only beginning gear in most outlets.
What do you suppose the markup in Aus may be for an instrument like the Opus or more expensive Buffets?
I would demand they buy a box of reeds - for cash - before trying out the expensive gear. Remember 'Wayne's World' where the long-suffering clerk was forced to haul out the Dream Strat every Saturday, knowing the kid couldn't scratch up cash for payment?
- and we marvel at the dearth of supplies stocked by our local shops!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: The White
Date: 2003-08-11 07:24
Pinner: I was told I may be able to get my hands on up to 6, not necessarily at once. But this is before making a call to the 'supplier', in which case I'll have heard the news before the store does. I can wait 60+ days, especially if it means that more instruments will be in the country for me to try.
My question was not on logistics, anyway.
"Amazing, the presumption of service young players expect from sellers."
Well, at my age, the money I'm forking out for a new pair of clarinets is a LOT, and who am I to expect anything less than as much choice as possible?
And maybe that's why more stores only stock beginner gear; because they didn't have good enough service for the professionals.
Sorry for the negative respone, but I was expecting better responses to my initial question... Plus I've had a bad day. Just found out that my uni course is changing next year, and I tried so hard to get in here because I wanted to do THIS course, and now they go changing it on me. Hope it's for the better.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-08-11 09:46
Just a thought...
If the prices in Australia are as expensive as listed in their instrument websites, I think you can really consider flying overseas to get your instrument over the weekend and you may probably save money in the process... and even have the possibilty of choosing from a wider range of selection.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-08-11 13:13
Synonymous Botch
The recommended retail, straight out of the current supplier's (sole supplier for Australia) catalogue on an Opus Bb is AU$5995, Opus A AU$6995 or AU$12890 for a pair. The recommended retail on Buffets is not as horrendous an R13 Bb retails for AU$3950 so you could guestimate the RC and Festival prices. For some reason we pay less for Yanigasawa saxes. A 991 Tenor retails here for about AU$5100 yet the average price in the USA seems to be around the US$4200 (nearly AU$8000). Yamaha works out to be comparable except for the pro and better clarinets where we do a little better. The retail price is very seldom paid and I sometimes wonder whether they are just designed to scare people.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2003-08-11 17:32
It is suggested that you look at the bore of the clarinet you try. The last Concerto I looked at was not polished in half of the upper section. It was basically a fine clarinet, however.
Try a suction test of the upper section with a cork or a finger in the bottom of the bore and your tongue in the top of the bore. If the clarinet leaks, it may not play as well.
You have your reasons for your choice of fine maker. In Los Angeles, it is a good idea to play the R13 as many of the players you play with will also have them and the sections will sound more homogeneous if all play the same make instrument. It's admittedly a minor point. Good luck!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-08-11 17:43
Wes said:
> the sections will sound more homogeneous if all play the same make instrument.
Last time I checked, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra clarinet section used 3 different major brands. Orchestral clarinet sections around the world would do well to emulate their sound.
> It's admittedly a minor point.
It's not a point at all ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pgporto
Date: 2003-08-11 21:49
Wes -
I'm not 100% sure, but it seems like most of the people on the board who play on Concertos and Concerto IIs have unpolished bores in the upper portion of the clarinet. It was discussed earlier, but I have yet to figure out why this is so.
Maybe it's a standard feature (bug)?
Paul
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: curious
Date: 2003-08-12 03:38
Might want to get on the phone to Mathiews Music in the Netherlands.
They sell mainly the high end woodwinds, by ordering bulk, at wholesale prices... often even lower than wwbw.com. They really do check and adjust each instrument and seem to have a lot of integrity. They ship worldwide so you need only pay the duty rather than a plane ticket.
I was sort of impressed a few months ago when they, get this, talked me out of a more expensive model, based on what I told them about my needs. (and it was not because they didn't have the other model is stock)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-08-12 06:32
You can check out Accent Music too. Their prices seems far better better than Mathews Music if I'm not wrong...
I managed to get a Concerto (the older version) for a friend there and it was a great instrument!
Yes.. the upper bore is unpolished too.. I wonder why..
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
