 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-05 11:56
Decided the only way to stop myself blaming my perfectly good Yamaha plastic instrument for all my faults is to spend all my Christmas present money on myself.
So I have just bought a wooden clarinet. I have no wish to own clarinets by the dozen; I rather hope this will be the last one I ever buy.
Until I get a bass, of course. And then maybe an A. But no more Bb's. My new one is quite definitely perfect, and all the imperfections are my own.
I'll let you know how I get on.
...
Oh, does anyone want to know which one I chose? No doubt someone will ask. It was the Concerto, as it happens. And, for what it's worth, the one I liked least was the RC.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-05 14:03
From one Concerto player to another, if you like the Bb, you will love the A. Good luck and Happy Holidays.
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Author: Maarten
Date: 2003-12-05 14:09
Maybe it's time to start hunting for the right mouthpiece then ;-)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-05 14:29
Maarten wrote: "Maybe it's time to start hunting for the right mouthpiece then ;-)"
Funny you should say that. I have the right mouthpiece already - for the Yamaha. It's a 5RVL/13/88. But it had horrible tuning problems with all the instruments I tried today, including the R13 that it is supposedly optimised for. So I have a new mouthpiece as well. Not ideal - I had hoped to change one thing at a time.
I will NOT accumulate mouthpieces by the dozen. I will learn to play the one I've got. Or take it back to the shop in the next seven days.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-12-05 14:32
"No one expects a Spanish Inquisition!"
"No one buys his last clarinet ever!"
Congratulations on your new purchase, Mr. Peacham --- but I'll bet money it won't be the last Bb clarinet you ever buy! Human nature being what it is....
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-12-05 14:49
I played on 5RV-Lyres for quite a while and switched to a Borbeck with reasonably good results. I have played on 11, 13, & 14's. Don't know which tip opening is closest - maybe 13 (?).
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-05 14:53
Human nature being what it is, Mr Spiegelthal, I rather save my money for the day I'm offered a top-quality bass clarinet, double register key essential, low-C preferred, completely reconditioned, fabulous tone-quality and intonation, delivered to my door in England, for, hmmm, shall we say $500?
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-05 15:01
Ah, Mr.Peacham, you are a dreamer but , as usual, I do think Mr.Spiegelthal is correct. Unlike cigarettes, clarinets are not bad for one's health.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-12-05 15:17
Mr. Peacham, never say never.
I have 4 clarinets now (C, Bb, A, Bass) and I'm sure if I had more money, I have more
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-05 15:50
"The last clarinet I shall ever buy"
I said that too, in 1967, in 1968, in 1970, in 1971, in 1972, in 1973, in 1975, in 1980, in 1984, in 1985, in 1986, in 1989, in 1996, in 1999, in 2001, in 2002, and in 2003...GBK
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-12-05 16:03
Gee, GBK,
What happened in 1969, 1974, 1976-79, 81-83, 87-88, 90-95, 97-98, and 2000??
;)
Katrina
(I didn't think you looked old enough in your picture that got posted to have had that first "last clarinet" episode in 1967!)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-05 16:24
Katrina wrote:
> Gee, GBK,
>
> What happened in 1969, 1974, 1976-79, 81-83, 87-88, 90-95,
> 97-98, and 2000??
Those were probably my "Last mouthpiece I shall ever buy" years ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) .
btw...I did skip a grade in Elementary school, but 1967 was my last year of high school. (ok, so now everyone can all do the math together 2003 - 1967 = )
Good genetics (thanks Mom and Dad!)...GBK
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2003-12-05 16:42
And so, Mr. Peacham, now might be a good time to catalog your imperfections! Best wishes with the Perfect Clarinet. jbjr
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-05 16:48
The only way to ensure that that'll be the last clarinet you ever play is to never try out another clarinet. So you can't play on anyone else's clarinet, and have to make sure that marketing doesn't get to you. And if a new line of clarinets go out, you're not allowed to try them. Cause God forbid you try another clarinet, and find it to be NICER. Then you'll forever (even if only subconsciously) wish you had a clarinet as nice as the one that you played on that one fateful day. Also, if anyone were to offer you their old clarinet, you have to decline (unless it was free, since then that wouldn't "technically" be a buy.)
Do you have the willpower? This would be a fine long-term gambling situation. However I'm going to agree with DS and wish you luck, but I'll be there to laugh when I see a post entitled, "Found the perfect clarinet", or, as it'll read to MY eyes, "I caved in and DS was right."
Alexi
Incidentally (spelling?), congratulations on your purchase. I hope it brings you many years of happiness.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-12-05 17:21
DEar Mr. Peacham:
The major concern in getting a fine instrument is getting what you feel is a responsive instrument that has the kind of sound you prefer. With music, like cars its all aboout being able to stretch out and feel like your driving the thing...the danger of brand name palaver and that nonsense is that one may be falsely brought on a mind bend that has nothing to do with making fine music whatsoever!
As to mouthpieces, there is also a danger in thinking that this solves a whole sprectrum of technical problems which have to be learned and of course approached over a time period....
as to mouthpiece balderdash...well I think it is definitely about what will help you develop as quickly as possible
David Dow
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2003-12-05 18:40
That is so cool that you bought your "Last Clarinet". I am using the one my parents bought me when I was in the 5th grade in 1965. I am saving my money and plan on buying my first "last clarinet" during the Clarinet Fest this summer. Which is only going to be about 1-1/2 hour drive from where I live. Obviously, my wife will not let me recruit GBK to help me buy my "Last Clarinet". I have enjoyed the anticipation. I wonder if buying my second last clarinet will be as much fun.
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Author: Late Bloomer
Date: 2003-12-05 18:55
I very new at this and am full of questions you all probably answered in 6th grade.
I am quite curious as to how long you have been playing the plastic instrument? Was it easier in the beginning? I'd be interested in advice about switching to the upper registers. Do you think it varies greatly from instrument to instrument?
How come..?? well anyway, it seems to me that everything I have sung or played is more difficult in the upper registers.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-12-05 22:42
DP,
I did not see any mention of "the last ligature I shall even buy" so there is still that equipment lust lurking.
HRL
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Author: Luke
Date: 2003-12-06 00:27
Hmm, I guess it's possible to find your "final clarinet" but what if something happens to it (knock on wood)? You might stick with the same model of clarinet, but I don't think it's likely to be your "last clarinet purchase".
And dont even get into the whole mouthpiece issue, it's hard to resist owning 10+ mouthpieces for any given horn.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-06 01:29
Quote:
And dont even get into the whole mouthpiece issue, it's hard to resist owning 10+ mouthpieces for any given horn. Unless you're lucky enough to find the perfect, crystal mouthpiece (crystal so that the material doesn't warp or wear). Shermann Friedland of Shermann's corner used to have his Vandoren A1 mouthpiece. Till it met an unfortunate accident involving first a coat and then a very hard floor.
But how many of us were really that fortunate to find THE one? I have a great one right now, but then again I always do wonder if there's something else out there . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: bp (F)
Date: 2003-12-06 14:31
David, you wrote :
"And, for what it's worth, the one I liked least was the RC."
I am sure that the story of "the last clarinet you will ever buy" will not end until you buy the RC...
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-12-07 01:01
Very funny, SB...
And just 'cause I'm insatiably curious, David, what other horns did you try in between the Concerto and the RC?
Katrina
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-07 10:17
From one Concerto player to another: I felt the same way when I changed from Buffet to LeBlanc... Now, the fault is with me, not the clarinet. Very good decision, congratulations!
But wow... Isn't the Concerto a gorgeous-looking instrument? I'll have to post a pic of mine someday, the wood is a deep cherry-red, not like Buffet which went a sort-of off-black-purple with the light hit it...
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-12-07 13:47
My concerto was a deep cherry red too when i got it new.
It has turned into a dull black now after 6 or 7 months... now looks like any other black clarinet...
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-07 18:04
Joseph - now would not be a good time to catalogue my imperfections. That will have to wait until I've got three months or so to sit down, really concentrate, and make sure I haven't forgotten any of the major ones.
Late bloomer - I'm pretty new at this as well. I've been playing the plastic instrument since April 2001. I think I have done exactly the right thing to wait this long, in fact I'm sure it would have done me no harm to wait another year or two before upgrading. I plan to post my "upgrader's experiences" in a week or three, in the hope of helping others who are wondering whether to take the plunge.
Hank - I have two extremely different ligatures, a BG soft and a VD optimum. The actual difference they make is minimal. I have no plans to buy any more. My requirements from a ligature are that it should hold the reed in place and not catch in my beard.
Luke - if the Concerto goes missing or is wrecked, then I expect I would go back to the shop and try several different models. It wouldn't surprise me to find I liked some other model more next time. As for mouthpieces; I got a new mouthpiece for the Concerto, but I suspect the new mouthpiece works better on the old Yamaha than on the new instrument. So I might keep it and buy another, or I might take it back. Or I might just keep it and play it till it works. That's the whole point of my post really - I'm keen not to spend my time (never mind cash) chasing perfection in the shops, when it's ME that needs improving.
bp - I liked what I read about the RC; I expected it would be one of my favourites. As it turned out I just couldn't play the damn thing. It took me three tries to get a low F out of it. Maybe I should have persisted and discovered that it was the instrument of my dreams, but after a start like that I found it hard to consider it seriously.
Katrina - I didn't try any horns. I haven't played the horn for nearly 30 years. (Sorry, I HATE that usage of "horn". Even more than I hate it when people say "French" horn.) I tried examples of all the big four: an R13, an RC, a CSV, an intermediate-model Leblanc, a Concerto, an Opus (Opus II, I think, but the one I bought is the older Concerto) and an Odyssee. I had wanted to try an SEV but they were out of stock; just from reading about instruments I thought the RC and the SEV were likely to be my favourites. I told the shop I was happy to pay anything from £600 (Yamaha 650) to £2000 (Opus). Since I intend the instrument to last me forty years, how much I pay now doesn't bother me too much. In the event the Concerto was £1210, right in the middle.
LeWhite & icecoke: mine is a rich dark brown. I rather hope it will stay that colour, but maybe I'll be disappointed. By a strange coincidence I was given another piece of grenadilla that very same evening: an African carving of a hippo (just another little interest of mine). It's the same colour as the clarinet, which is why I assume it must be grenadilla. I think the Concerto would be a much better-looking instrument if it didn't have those ugly gold logos: Leblanc are definitely my least-favourite manufacturer from that point of view.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-08 00:52
Really? I think the concerto is great-looking, the pad cups are nice and rounded, unlike Buffet's crass and ridgid design.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-12-08 03:35
Sorry about the "horn" David. Didn't know there was objection. Just for my (again) insatiable curiosity, how do you feel about the word "axe" as applied to musical instruments? Not trying to start any battles; just interested in your point of view...
Katrina
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-08 03:38
LeWhite - the concerto's a fine instrument - congratulations! Have you tried their paperclip models yet?
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Author: Rene
Date: 2003-12-08 06:00
I think David deserves to be admired for the right attitude. Let's talk to him in some years then ...
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-08 06:51
LeWhite - my only objection to the Concerto's appearance is the logos. They look garish and cheap, I hope they will wear off.
Katrina - I've always understood "axe" to apply primarily to electric guitars, perhaps because a bit of subtle chopping up would improve their sound. If you asked how many other axes I had tried, I think I'd have been quite confused, and wondered if you meant axes as in the plural of axe (or ax Stateside), or axes as in the plural of axis. But since you said horns, my first thought was, "none at all", and my second was "grrrrrrrrr".
It's a very long time since I played the horn, but I still love the instrument. Like most horn players, I hate the usage "French" horn, the reason being that horns, like clarinets and bassoons, come in distinct French and German types. To a horn player a French horn means the sort with a narrow bore and piston valves, that no-one plays any more. And I'm sure every horn player is sick and tired of the question, "Oh, you play the horn? What sort of horn do you play then? Is it a saxophone?" and tempted to reply, "I play a Geyer wrap with a stopping valve, a medium throat and a rose-brass bell," then walk away.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-12-08 08:51
Hi David...
I guess that's where the new Leblanc series II models come in.. they finally took out the big golden logos for the new sonata, concerto, rapsodie and opus models.. the new small metal logos with the model name written in gold looks better...
http://www.gleblanc.com/newinstruments/france/query.cfm?model=2002S
Does anyone knows why the wood will turn black after a while? I was wondering how I can restore it to the dark brown colour when it was brand new. Does it have anything to do with the oil or moisture content?
LeWhite: Have you tried oiling your clarinet yet? Now that I think of it, it seems to have darkened considerbly after I used bore oil on the wood. Could the original reddish hue be due to the dryness of the wood?
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Author: David
Date: 2003-12-11 22:41
I'm still playing the last clarinet I ever bought...
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-12 01:44
David wrote:
> I'm still playing the last clarinet I ever bought...
Isn't that a given? Just like how something you look for is always in the LAST place you look. Cause I don't know about you, but when I find it, I stop looking!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: David
Date: 2003-12-13 00:14
Damn. Out-ironied by an American. I sincerely hope
David
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-14 08:10
icecoke - I'm from the 'non-oiling' school. I don't believe that the climate here nececitates oiling.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-12-14 14:09
David, congratulations on your "inner discoveries." Now when your palms begin to itch just remember--the world is full of beautiful Sax's.
Bob A
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-12-14 14:42
I've been lurking here, interesting! My latest acquisition was a Buffet B12 for the purpose of trying/demonstrating the benefits [etc] of Dan Shusta's pad-padding process, very successful! I still desire, dont REALLY need, a Basset Horn and a Contra Bass, but unless my B W and [I hope] our kids greatly surprise me in a couple of weeks, I may just end this "funny business" of collecting and just start reading Al Rices' new books. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-15 23:00
My Buffet Prestigue low C bass clarinet is the last clarinet I will ever buy.
(My wife told me so)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-16 10:00
Katrina - I certainly have no plans to BUY another wife.
Contragirl - he's not dead, only sleeping. Tired and [...] out after a long pounce. Oddly enough, I have told the wife that the Leblanc was a present from *her* cat, who went to join the choir invisible three years ago.
...and now for something completely sensible...
LeWhite - why does your climate not necessitate oiling? The climate here is very temperate, but the dealers recommend LOTS of oiling.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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