 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2003-12-25 07:13
I now know from my previous post that the "doctor" is a sure bet for many clarinet accessories. In my work equipment plays a vast role [photographer] and among the many suppliers out there....we have many [many] bad guys! Then again we have the people who we trust to do right by us. Looking around the net, I've noticed that the clarinet world also has a fair share of dealers... Who are the ones we stay away from? Reasons? Who are the ones we embrace? I'm guessing [hoping] that the supporters of this fine BBoard are the good guys. I'm talking everything from music stands to reeds and all that 'stuff' in between. Whom would you send thousands, for a new horn? Last, which repair shops are the professionals choice? I don't mind spending my money for superior equipment/service...just don't want to waste any! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and to all a goodnight.
Fred
Post Edited (2003-12-25 07:17)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-12-25 12:16
Hi Fred,
I have the luxury of being just a 2 1/2 hour drive from WWBW in S. Bend and 4 hours from IMS so I do not have to want for much of anything. I have had good service from both companies. Getting music is a little trickier but I still go to Educator's Music in Cleveland (actually, Lakewood) and there is much to look over. John Stavich, the original owner's son and now the head of the company, is a fine clarinet player (U. of M grad) and extremely enjoyable to talk to about lots of the older clarinet days.
On a closely associated topic, I trust John Butler to tell me what my instrument needs and then to do it at a fair price. Tom Ridenour's ATG System is wonderful and his advice (always willingly given plus a lot of other Thomas Aquinus-type thoughts) is terrific, and Dave Spigelthal's mouthpiece work is to be trusted. I have made all these contacts on the BB in response to just lurking around and seeing what others say. Also, GBK is the "man" as far as knowing what's happening in a whole lot of related as well as un-related areas associated with clarinet playing. I get barrels directly from C. Robert Scott in E. Lansing who answers all his email very promptly and ship things to you very quickly.
The notion that there is just one music store that can be all things to all players is probably not a reality these days. However, if you become selective and find out what's best for each service, you can do well. But you must be patient as time and distance are usually involved.
HRL
PS I love visiting music stores where there are a lot of the old-timers hanging around. In my professional field, aviation, it is just like dropping over to a small general aviation airport on a Saturday AM (any time of the year actually) and drinking coffee and doing a lot of "hangar flying."
Post Edited (2007-12-03 02:50)
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-12-25 15:25
Jeanne
Backun
Music123 and WWBW
Myatt .. Val responds to email nicely
The Doctor .... a pro in every way....and dont forget Vit M
Muncy Pam helpful
Ferrees tools Tech folks helpful
Blayman
Chris Hill
Lomax
Hawkins
Boosey Hawkes music (sheet music)
Davie Cane
1-stop clar and sax shop...Very fast delivery of reeds
Van Cott...great to deal with ...books and music
all fine and dandy
IMS held a credit card deposit (I tried 2 instruments and I kept one) a tad long, but resolved the issue after 2 months and the instrument was nice.
Chas Bay....best left unsaid
Against the windmills of my mind
The jousting pole splinters
Post Edited (2003-12-25 15:31)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-12-25 17:35
muncy winds - big enough for a selection, not so large that they take any order for granted... and they have a great dog.
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-25 18:21
I don't think you can "trust" any of the on-line music stores.
I have ordered from all of the popular stores than you will find mentioned on this board and have had issues with all. That doesn't mean I wouldn't buy from them again.
It does mean "Shame on you, this time. If I make the same mistake again, shame on me".
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-12-25 18:23
Clarence wrote:
> I have ordered from all of the popular stores than you will
> find mentioned on this board and have had issues with all.
I've ordered from most of those and have had issues with none.
Your mileage may vary ...
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 05:41
IMS didn't refund my mouthpiece deposit until 8 months after I had returned the mouthpiece. I got an invoice in the mail (8 months later) saying they had credited my account 100-something dollars. Personally, I don't like IMS. They never had the mouthpieces I wanted in stock, when they told me it'd be available by one date, it wasn't available until about a month and half afterwards (for several mouthpieces), and the credit card issue.
Me personally, I'm going to avoid them. Maybe they're better with clarinets, or to someone else in general, but I didn't like them
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarinetmajr
Date: 2003-12-26 08:14
Vincent Marinelli- supplies, reeds, repairs, instruments, everything (wilmington DE)
Marc Jacobi- repairs
Mike Hammer- repairs (both are in philadelphia)
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-26 16:50
International Musical Suppliers, in DesPlaines, IL, is a reputable store that has always been good for me, but they are slow in refunding desposits. So, if you give them your credit card number when ordering equipement for trial, please realize that any credit for returned merchandise will not be made before your next payment is due, and there could be a considerable interest payment as a result (personal experiance here). They do business fairly, but you need to know their rules, which are clearly posted in their catologue--in somewhat fine print. They try to provide good service and quality equipement, but as with most businesses, the "bottom line" is making a profit, and I think that this "slow" refund policy helps keep IMS "in the black"--and, unfortunately many times, the customer "in the red".
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2003-12-27 09:44
One supplier, not yet mentioned, that I've used and haven't had any problems with is Frederich H. Weiner, Inc. (weinermusic.com). Their website isn't as slick as some, but their prices are good, and thus far I've had no problems.
John
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Author: RM
Date: 2003-12-27 14:36
Some of my favorites and least favorites,
Good people to deal with:
Woodwind Brasswind
Jimmy Yan
Muncy Winds
Tim Clark
Richard Hawkins
Chris Hill
Not nice people to deal with:
Guy Chadash
International Music Sup.-Lisa Argiris
Sam Ash Music Stores
Jim Pyne
These conclusions were made from my own first hand dealings with these people. You may or may not have had the same bad/good experiences.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-12-27 16:22
Dont like list addition:
Oh yeah...forgot about Pyne.
Have to agree on that one.
Add to nice list...Good to deal with:
Grabner
Greg Smith
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Author: Bellflare
Date: 2003-12-27 19:34
Pyne.....not very informative
Wish he would at least define on his website what all the facings and notations mean (M, Pk, etc)
and what the hey is all the barrel nomenclature?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-28 01:34
Don't forget that a mouthpiece is not only facing. Perhaps these mouthpeices may have similar facings, but differences in chambers, baffles, curves, rails, etc. Maybe that's why he didn't put it on there. I don't know personally about Hite mouthpieces, but just venturing that there are usually reasons why something like that wouldn't be on a website.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: lyn
Date: 2003-12-28 16:17
Weiner's (weinermusic.com) - they will go beyond the call of duty for ya, and free shipping on orders placed online (over $50). I have also purchased instruments from them and been very satisfied with the results. Muncy and WWBW are fine as well.
Flute World has the BEST website for any woodwind instrument, bar none. (fluteworld.com) I wish there was something like this for clarinet - one place to buy clarinet music, supplies, recording. Weiner's has pretty much everything but the music selection. To find music you need to look all over the place, which truthfully is a Pain.
JWPepper (jwpepper.com) seems to be the most varied for music online, but they are not cheap to ship. The one good thing about them is that they do let you order on approval so if the piece isn't right for your group you can send it back.
It would be Great if Patelson's could put their catalog online. Sometimes I am looking for new ideas for clarinets, or students and like to browse. Sometimes it's just nice to cut the red tape, if you know what they have you can do that without emailing back and forth (do you have this edition? This one? yadda yadda). The only way you can order online from them is if you know exactly what you want, thru a form on their site (patelson.com). I guess they figure people don't like to shop? I don't know about you, but I have no time to go into Manhattan to browse........
I second Vince Marinelli and Mike Hammer. Don't ever leave your horn with Jacobi, though, you won't see it for months.........while he does excellent, work, he's sooooo backed up.......
~L
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2003-12-31 18:22
Hello, So far I've placed orders with the "doctor" and Music 123 [Mark ext: 1158]. I was very happy with the efficiency of both purchases. I really didn't expect personal service from Music 123, but Mark was a charming and smart salesman...of course the guys a Musician! I've already contacted Greg Smith and will discuss my needs with him when I return from London. This board is amazing! Happy New Year! Fred
Fred
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Author: DougR
Date: 2004-01-03 16:37
Well, for MUSIC, as opposed to instruments, I'd drop Patelson's like a hot brick (they never have anything...) and go straight to Frank Music (212-582-1999). They have an online catalog and lots of the standard clarinet rep that Patelson's only has empty bins for...plus they're smart, knowledgeable, and act as if they're actually HAPPY to have customers in the store. Don't know how they stack up against specialty clarinet-only music houses, but they stock ALL kinds of music and I like dealing with them.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2004-01-03 19:12
I'll put a vote in for Educator's Music in Lakewood as well. They have lots of music for all instruments available and if they don't have it will order it for you and mail it to you. I understand that their service dept. is wonderful as well. They have instruments and service in one building and the music is in a separate building across the street.
I also have 2 other local stores that are good places to look for lesson books and just fun stuff to play.
Online, I go with Woodwind and Brasswind, simply because they usually have what I want at a reasonable price. It's amazing that some of the local music stores don't even carry much in the way of swabs, reeds, etc. I haven't had a problem with them yet.
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