 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JamesE
Date: 2003-10-13 01:03
I posted this to the klarinet list, so forgive me if you see this twice. All comments very much appreciated. Thanks.
I have the opportunity to play the Eb soprano in an upcoming concert, and of
course neither I or anyone else in town seems to have one. I was thinking I
might spring for a "student" model, and I see that Vito, Amati and Selmer
all have a model in that category.
Please, I know the hazards of student vs. intermediate or pro, but this is a
one time shot and I don't want to spend a lot of bucks. I am hoping that
some of our list readers who work with students and student model horns
might give me a brief appraisal of the effer in these brands. I have had
several Vito clarinets and found them very satisfactory.
I would appreciate any assistance offered, and you may reply directly to me
if you wish. Thanks.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-13 01:37
Jim ... I've only had experience wih Leblanc's "student" model e-flat, however it is a fine instrument (grenadilla), I've also played a pro-model Selmer and Buffet ... both of which were very good. They are just little mongrels (e-flats) and I really find them a trial (I have big fingers and hands). The student model resonite, I'm afraid I've never seen one.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-13 14:48
I have a Selmer Bundy Resonite effer that plays as almost as well as my pro level Yamaha. The Yamaha has more "user friendly" little finger and side keys, and has a superior tone quality in the upper register. But the student Selmer effer plays all the notes and the intonation is as good as you can make it--which is really the intonational "norm" for all Eb soprano clarinets.
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2003-10-14 16:17
Having played the Eb, I'd use intonation as my guide for picking an instrument. A student model which played in tune would be preferable to a model which excelled in any other aspects. Intonation is the hardest challenge for an Eefer player.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2003-10-14 23:32
The Buffet-Crampon E11 model is a student instrument with professional qualities. It's very easy to blow, has a good sound and fine intonation. It's the only instrument I recommend besides the full pro models.
Alphie
clarinet/Eb-clarinet RSPhO
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-15 00:52
Alphie - perhaps a member of the illustrious Buffet marfia?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-10-15 00:55
This is not a recommendation, only a report: I have an Amati 602 Bb Clarinet, and some email me with questions or comments regarding Amatis.
A professional symphony player recently wrote to ask if I knew anything about the Amati 261 Eefer (the only Eb Clarinet they make). My only knowledge was based on the Amati website, where it is written that the instrument has a wood body, a plastic bell, and nickel-plated keywork.
He bought the instrument, has used it in concert after having it tweaked a bit, and he is quite pleased with his purchase. He reports the intonation is excellent, among other good stuff. He also reports that most colleagues are also impressed.
As far as I know, this is the least expensive Eb Clarinet with 17/6 Boehm keywork that is built like a real musical instrument, NOT a toy.
Regards,
John
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-15 00:59
Amati were once a Czech Republic manufacturer, or am I missinformed (dementia ridden)?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-10-15 01:17
diz: Amatis are made in Kraslice, Czech Republic. The town was once known by the German spelling "Grasliz" or the Anglicized German "Graslitz" back when it was part of Germany. It has long been a center of musical instrument maufacturing. For example, Kohlert instruments were made there prior to the end of WWII.
A search of the BB archives, should reveal many comments about Amati Clarinets, mostly (but not universally) favorable.
Regards,
John
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-10-15 03:03
Like William, I also own a Selmer Bundy Resonite, along with an R-13.
I will second the opinion that the intonation of the Bundy is (surprisingly) quite excellent. I have used the instrument numerous times in professional situations. I've never had any serious tuning problems - of course as with most Eb clarinets, there are some preferred high note fingerings that will make life easier.
The one aspect of the Selmer Bundy which I find the most pleasing is that the spread of the fingers is very comfortable - not cramped. The sliver keys (banana keys) on both hands are in easy reach and not accidently bumped (and opened) by routine playing.
If you have slightly wider fingers (as most adults do) this is a good instrument to explore.
Like JMcAulay, I also own an Amati. Mine is a full Boehm A clarinet. The workmanship and quality is excellent, thus I would expect their Eb clarinet to be as good. They represent an excellent value for the price...GBK
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2003-10-15 08:34
I also think the Selmer Bundy Resonite is excellent for the money.
Besides the good intonation it also capable to produce a big tone.
To GBK and William:
What mpc/reed setup do you use?
I use a Viotti mpc with VD whitemaster 3.5 (cut-off).
Good intonation (with alternate fingerings in the altissimo) and good tone but I have to pull out quite a bit.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-10-15 08:59
Jeroen... On the Selmer Bundy Eb clarinet,I alternate between two different mouthpieces: A custom Morgan with cut off Bb Gonzalez FOF reeds, and a refaced Vandoren crystal with old style (rounder tip) Vandoren Blue Box Eb reeds.
The reason I do not use cut off Gonzalez FOF reeds on the Vandoren crystal is because the crystal mouthpiece has a slightly shorter facing length than the Morgan - thus the Vandoren Eb reeds match better...GBK
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Author: donald
Date: 2003-10-15 09:46
DONT mess around with the Kinder Klari- it is a good idea for beginner students, is also very cheap, and (as John Denmann claimed) can be played as a chromatic instrument..... BUT it doesn't have intonation or keywork good enough to be used in a professional (or even halfway deccent) ensemble. Sorry, as this would have been your cheapest option.
donald....
(who actually, at this point in time, owns THREE e flat clarinets- 2 Buffets and a Leblanc)(this situation is only temporary)
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Author: OboeAtHeart
Date: 2003-10-16 02:26
Being a smaller person, I enjoy smaller instruments. I'm surprised at the number of people who have the Selmer Bundy Resonite horns. They really are wonderful little clarinets, and for about the 6 months I've been playing Eefer, it's been a great horn. No tech. problems, but the lower end on mine seems to be a tad sharp, and the overall horn seems to be sharp, but that may be my MP. (It's a Vito. I -really- need another one.) Pulling out at the barrel and bell about a half cm each seems to correct this. The upper register is a little shaky, but I'm still learning and I'm a Freshmen in HS, so I'm not sure if my advice is all that valid through and through. Just speaking on what I know.
-Jenne.
*~"The clarinet, though appropriate to the expression of the most poetic ideas and sentiments, is really an epic instrument- the voice of heroic love."~*
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-16 03:17
"To GBK and William:
What mpc/reed setup do you use? "
My effer set-up is a vintage Selmer HS* with V12 Bb 3.5 reeds (cut off) on either my Selmer Resonite or my Yamaha pro instrument. However, during the first set of last Sunday's Octoberfest Bavarian Brass Band gig, I used a Legere 3.0 Bb reed with promising results. My ligature is a BG Bb model, a bit long but it works for he larger Selmer Eb mpc and Bb reeds.
Please note that while the Bundy Resonite is a good playing and reliable instrument, I only use it under extreme playing conditions. I prefer my Yamaha's "user friendly" little finger keywork (designed for adult hands) and its superior tone quality in the upper register.
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Author: ned
Date: 2003-10-16 03:18
So....................at last I know........... that "effer" means Eb [clarinet]. I have seen this reference many times and it has been a mystery to me!
I suppose that a Bb horn is a "beefer" ?
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