 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: DadofClarinetPlayer
Date: 2003-11-11 17:42
I'm wanting to up grade my daughter's clarinet. She has a student one now that is plastic. I don't know the name of it right off the top of my head. We bought it almost 3 years ago for $20 and had it worked on and its been a good one but it's time for a new one.
A little background. I don't really know anything about clarinets if it was a guitar I would know what to look for and buy. Also my daughter is 13yrs. old and has been playing for almost 3 yrs. I was not going to buy her a new one until high school until I was sure she would keep it up. But I think she will. I don't have to tell her to practice and she does it every chance she gets.
The only name I know in clarinets is Yamaha. Also I've been told for sound wood is the way to go. I'm taking her today after school to start shopping for one. Any info would be helpful.
Thanks,
Jimmy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-11-11 17:58
At the risk of censure for self-serving commercial messages on the BB, I might suggest looking into renovated used clarinets, which are available from some of us here including (coincidentally <cough cough>) myself.....These can be of comparable or better quality than new for a lower price. My apologies in advance to Mark and GBK if I have broken the law.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-11 21:06
David's advice is very sage ... you'll find purchasing new ones (top of the line) an expensive undertaking. I recommend you have some dialogues with him (Spiegelthal) and listen to his wisdom.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-12 07:12
Also do a search on keywords in this forum. Maybe upgrade or intermediate or the likes. You will find a variety of posts (you may want to limit just to subject line) about others that were searching for an upgrade to a newer clarinet. There's tons of stuff there.
FYI, the major makes (Big 4) of clarinets include Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet, and Leblanc. I personally would also include Amati as excellent quality for the price (if you're looking at their pro line clarinets at least). I can't vouch for their student models. I and many others would recommend sticking to these makers. You pretty much can't go wrong with them. And stay away from clarinets that you can buy in a NON-music store. That is to say I wouldn't recommend your next clarinet be purchased at Walmart, BJ's, etc.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-11-12 14:35
Jimmy -
There are two things to consider: the instrument and how people feel about it.
First, the equipment.
The rule is that the further away from your body something is, the less difference it makes. Thus, after the reed, the most important thing is the mouthpiece. A decent one can make more difference than everything else put together. For around $30, a Fobes Debut, or equivalents from other sponsors of this board, can make any instrument sound good -- even a plastic one -- and that should be your first investment.
However, if your daughter's instrument is not from one of the big makers -- Buffet, Leblanc (Vito) or Yamaha (and to a lesser extent Selmer (Bundy)), it's likely to be holding her back. Have a good player try it out, paying particular attention to intonation and evenness of response.
Physically, and in terms of playing qualities, there's little difference between plastic clarinets and the first-level "step-up" wood models. If you can afford it, you should pay the $1300 or so for a Buffet R-13 or the equivalent. It's simply a much better instrument. If that's too much, consider a used pro-quality instrument. I'd stay away from eBay, however, since you never know what you're getting. There are dogs even among top models, and many eBay instruments are in poor condition. It's better to pay a local professional player to pick one out for you from what's available in town.
Young players, and their friends, and even bandmasters, *think* that switching from plastic to wood makes a big difference, and that's important. Find out from the bandmaster what s/he prefers, and what the other good students are playing. Get her what her friends are playing.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DadofClarinetPlayer
Date: 2003-11-14 01:14
Thanks everyone for the info. Me and my daughter went to two places the other night. Looked at used and new ones. At the second place the guy that helped us was a big help. She played about 4 different Clairnets. When he brought them in we did not know the prices he had four different ones. After she tested each one and had picked one she liked. He told us the prices. She did not pick the cheapest or the highest but the middle range. She had picked a Yamaha YCL450 on sale for $999.99. We have not yet purchased it. So anyone know any pros or cons about this clairnet. How about price. Is it fair or too high. I live in the Atlanta metro area. Just in case prices might be different in certain areas.
Thanks,
Jimmy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-14 01:54
Well, for one thousand dollars I would think you could get a very good used profesional clarinet. Used R-13's (last I checked) often go for around that price and maybe only a little bit more.
Clarinet's don't really lose quality with age. So a used one wouldn't bring the level of quality down. However a NEW clarinet depreciates in value very much after it's been used. On the contrary, when you buy a used clarinet (let's say a used R-13) for one thousand dollars, chances are that down the road you will be able to sell if for just as much, if not MORE as inflation takes it's toll upon America.
Also, if the clarinet is used, chances of it cracking are much less, since they typically crack within the first year or two.
As far as the yamaha 450, My understanding is that it's a good student clarinet, and yamahas are good value for the money you spend for it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-11-14 04:29
Woodwind/Brasswind sells the Yamaha YCL450 for $1026 with silver plated keys, and $906 with nickel plated keys...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-11-14 05:20
Hi,
Why don't you check out your nearest Yamaha store? The Yamaha near my place sells the Yamaha YCL450 with silver plated keys for $680.
http://www.musicplaza.com.sg/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10033&storeId=10051&productId=81948001&langId=-1&parentCategories=Brass+And+Woodwind%7CClarinet%7CYamaha%7CYamaha+Bb+Clarinet+YCL450+%28NEW%29
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-11-14 11:27
Something to consider with buying your horn locally is that you are helping a local business stay afloat. After all, they helped you try out several horns. Good service is worth something. They will be happier? (don't know if that's the right word to use) down the road to help you with reeds, mouthpieces, music, accessories, servicing if you don't just take their advice and then go look for where you can purchase the same instrument cheaper.
If their price seems way out of line with what others say (I don't know anything about the model you speak of) maybe you can negotiate for a lower price yet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DadofClarinetPlayer
Date: 2003-11-14 21:47
I went checking around today and found a Yamaha YCL450N for $749.00 on sale, reg. $799.00 Thats better. I've got 2 other places to check out that sell new and used and from that we should be able to make a choice.
Thanks,
Jimmy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
