 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Yakko
Date: 2003-12-26 07:07
Hello Everyone,
I stumbled on to this site while reading an article and its GREAT! Lots of good Clarinet Stuff. I hope that some one might be able to help me. Im going off to college soon to study music so I will need to purchase my own A clarinet. Im not the richest guy in the world so I can't afford a basset horn or a bran new buffet top of the line, but I did find a..
Buffet Crampon A Paris Professional Clarinet
Vintage 1924 Grenadilla Wood
So.. here's my question does, anyone have a preferences about this kind of horn, “it plays well, has lots of problems, good model”... anything like that. Just wanted to get some other opinions. Have a Merry Holiday Session.
Sincerely,
Jacob Scherr
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 07:30
Alex, just to clarify, Jacob is asking if anyone has heard that it "has lots of problems" or is a "good model", etc.
I know nothing about it. GBK is pretty much a Buffet expert at this point. Maybe he'll know about that period of buffet instruments. Then again, he also has an Amati 675 A clarinet. Also a good bargain for the $$$.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-12-26 13:07
Make sure that this is a Low Pitch clarinet. In 1924, there were both High Pitch (concert A about 453hz) and Low Pitch (concert A=440hz) being made and both were relatively common.
This instrument should be marked HP or LP on it somewhere.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-26 14:56
I know of the specific instrument you are looking at, as a few weeks ago I had a telephone conversation with the seller, who happens to lives near me.
For the money the seller wants combined with the present condition of the clarinet, my opinion is that you could do much better looking elsewhere ...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 16:43
GBK wrote:
> I know of the specific instrument you are looking at, as a few
> weeks ago I had a telephone conversation with the seller, who
> happens to lives near me.
>
> For the money the seller wants combined with the present
> condition of the clarinet, my opinion is that you could do much
> better looking elsewhere ...GBK
![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif) THE GREAT AND POWERFUL GBK HAS SPOKEN!
What a source of information. I swear if I ever get a chance to play that millionaire game I know who's going to be one of my lifelines . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2003-12-26 16:44)
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2003-12-27 02:15
Since I haven't seen the listing or ad, I am curious what the asking price is, unless that is sensitive info somehow.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-12-29 00:13
Tom Ridenour's clarinet in A is a giant-killer.
He has a tweaked version available for a little over $1000 - tough to beat!
If you really must buy a clarinet in A, and wish to purchase one second hand - there are several regular contibutors to the BBS that have solid offerings available.
Dave Spiegelthal
John Butler
(and others)
will fill the bill, ably.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-12-29 04:26
Hi Jacob,
Here's my $.02.
First, I agree entirely with GBK that the clarinet you are looking at is not a good buy. There have been considerable design changes and improvements in clarinets in general, and Buffet clarinets in particular, since 1924. I think you would be hard pressed to find a professional classical clarinetist currently using a clarinet from that era. The technology is simply too old. You can find professionals (GBK and David Shifrin come to mind) using Buffets from the 1960's but that's about as far back as you would want to go.
Based on the pictures, I think it would be safest to assume that the clarinet you are looking at needs or will soon need a complete overhaul (regardless of what the seller says). Also, I consider the tenon damage problematic. With the cost of a decent overhaul, the total expenditure on this instrument begins to approach $600+ -- for which you will have an instrument that will never be adequate for your needs.
IMO, a do-it-yourself amateur who is looking for an A clarinet to play occasionally in a community orchestra and who can do his/her own cleaning, oiling, repadding, recork work and adjustment might find this instrument OK (but I think, even then, the price should be closer to $250 than $350). For someone looking for an A clarinet to use for serious collegiate study and/or in a professional career, I think it is inadequate at any price. (I wouldn't even want it as a backup.)
In the summer when clarinet prices tend to drop on eBay, it is not uncommon to see much more recent A clarinets from Leblanc, Selmer or Yamaha go for $600 - $800. (Buffets will be higher.) Because the A clarinets that tend to turn up on eBay frequently have had very little use, one that is 30 years old or less often needs little if any work to put it in good playing condition. (As I have mentioned recently in another thread, a common source of these instruments is students who purchase an A clarinet for college, then find they have more need for the money than the instrument after graduation.
Which brings me to my (almost) final comment. You write: "I'm going off to college soon to study music so I will need to purchase my own A clarinet." Unless your prospective teacher has told you this, I have to wonder if it is really the case. Most colleges and universities do not require their students to purchase an A clarinet. At that level, the primary need is for the school's orchestra(s) and an occasional chamber piece. Often the school can provide the instruments for such use. Or you may be able to get by learning to transpose. I have a cousin with bachelor's and master's degrees in clarinet (from two different universities) and he has never owned an A. He became and is a wizard at transposition. Since graduation, he has been a public school band director in Kansas. Professionally, he has had virtually no call for an A.
If you are pointing toward a performing career as a professional classical clarinetist, you will eventually need your own A clarinet. If you really need one for college, however, I would recommend you wait until you start there and have your teacher help you find one. If you are buying a used instrument, your teacher may know of a former student or colleague who has an instrument for sale. (That's how I located my eefer.) If you are buying a new instrument, you will get expert advice and help with your selection.
One final comment, FWIW. IMO, GBK's posts are so good because: (1) he only comments when he knows what he's talking about, (2) he knows alot, and (3) he only comments when he actually has something worthwhile to say (never just to "hear" himself or to try to impress us with the sheer number of his messages). Would that we all could be like that.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2003-12-29 14:36
Jack Kissinger wrote:
You write: "I'm
> going off to college soon to study music so I will need to
> purchase my own A clarinet." Unless your prospective teacher
> has told you this, I have to wonder if it is really the case.
> Most colleges and universities do not require their students to
> purchase an A clarinet. At that level, the primary need is for
> the school's orchestra(s) and an occasional chamber piece.
> Often the school can provide the instruments for such use. Or
> you may be able to get by learning to transpose.
True in many cases. I used the university's A clarinet in college. Many years later I recently bought a vintage A clarinet myself (Selmer). I fall into the category that JK mentioned, playing it in a community orchestra and for personal enjoyment. It needed very little work since it had been in use before it was sold. It fits my needs right now (and my single income two kids budget), but I waited until I determined just what my needs were going to be. Good luck to you.
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