 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tammy
Date: 2004-02-14 03:19
Please forgive me for barging in on your forum, but I need help. My father's clarinet was stolen and I would like to purchase one to replace it. My father's passion is music. I know absolutely nothing about music or clarinets. Would you please help me? I need advice about what to look for and what brands are the best for a reasonable price.
Thank you in advance for any help you may offer.
Tammy
Post Edited (2004-02-14 03:19)
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-02-14 03:33
Tammy, that's a great pity. Also, things are not that easy.
Some players are very individually-minded about their Clarinets, becoming attached to a single brand or special model. Many would be quite unsatisfied to play anything different. On the other hand, your father might appreciate a gift so much, he could be reluctant to let you know in any way that he would have preferred something different.
Project number one: Find out what make and model he had, including (if at all possible) when it was made, or better yet the serial number.
Regards,
John
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Author: chuck
Date: 2004-02-14 03:44
Tammy: Kind of hard to say without knowing a little bit about your dad. For example, if he were a golfer and his driver were stolen, we would need to know if he were a scratch golfer or a duffer. The scratch golfer would probably be hitting an 8 degree loft with a stiff shaft whereas a duffer would be using a 10 degree loft club and, if he were my age, with a senior flex shaft. What kind of instrument was he using? Boehm, Oehler, Albert?
Wood, metal, plastic? At what level does he play? i.e., pit work in New York, a municipal band, in the back yard for his own pleasure? Do you know if he has a preference for any one of a dozen makes or models? Tell us a little bit more. Chuck
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-02-14 12:59
Really, you buying a clarinet for your father is a bit like him going out and buying you a pair of shoes, without you trying them on first! He needs to choose for himself. If you want to offer to pay for it, I'm sure he'd be delighted, but it needs to be his choice.
A new professional-quality clarinet (Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer, Yamaha) costs well over a thousand dollars. A new student-quality one from a reliable brand (Buffet, Vito, Yamaha are the main ones) costs hundreds. There are some very cheap brands offered by the less reputable music stores and by some well-known general stores; everyone will advise you to stay away from these.
Buying on the internet is often cheaper than in a store, but makes it difficult to try before you buy. Worth looking at Internet prices anyway; some stores may charge the manufacturer's list price, which is _much_ more than you should pay.
Chuck mentioned "Boehm, Oehler, Albert". These are not manufacturers but different designs of keywork (with some invisible differences too). Most people play Boehm, and all the above applies to Boehm. Oehler instruments are mostly played in Germany, so it's unlikely that's what he had. Albert instruments are an old design that, so far as I know, is no longer made except as very cheap imports. It's possible that's what he plays if he learnt many years ago; if that's the case then you'll probably need to look for a second-hand instrument.
One more thing: don't buy a clarinet on EBay. There are bargains for the experts. There is lots and lots of garbage for the unwary!
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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: hans
Date: 2004-02-14 13:35
Tammy,
It is very considerate of you to want to replace your father's stolen clarinet.
Perhaps you could buy a gift certificate from a reputable musical instrument retailer, instead of choosing an instrument without your father's input.
If this is not practical, you could get agreement (in writing) from the retailer that your father would be able to exchange the instrument for another of his choice.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2004-02-15 03:15
Buffet R-13 with silver plated keys. you will never go wrong with this clarinet
This is around $1700 or more so if you have a smaller budget, let us know and we can go from there.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-02-15 04:52
Tammy,
I agree with the above (perhaps enough voices chiming in here will drive home how important these points are) -- if you can, find out what make, model, and at least the first three digits of the serial number of the stolen clarinet (no need for the entire number so you can maintain privacy), then we can begin to point you toward a proper replacement. Any kind of info that might be in a police report would be helpful.
I assume by your IP address you're in Houston (I'm in Corpus Christi). So your dad likely had one of many models popular in the US. Most clarinets in the US come from the manufacturers we call "The Big 4." These include Buffet, Leblanc (also produces student-model lines Vito, Normandy and Noblet), Selmer (also formerly produced student-model lines Bundy and Signet), and Yamaha. Each of these manufacturers produces several different models. Anything ring a bell so far?
The more blanks you can fill in, the better.
Also, mouthpieces are just about as important as the clarinet itself, and they're very personal items. Most stock mouthpieces that come with clarinets are junk, so more serious players purchase aftermarket mouthpieces that are much better than what comes with the horn. Find out if your dad prefers a certain kind of mouthpiece, and we'll help you there as well.
We'll be happy to assist you in any way, so don't be shy about hollering again for help
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2004-02-15 05:21)
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Author: Tammy
Date: 2004-02-15 20:46
I would like to thank all of you for your help and advice. I have taken everything you have advised to heart and have talked to my father about his wishes. The information you all have offered has been a tremendous benefit. I may be back to ask you another question.
Tammy
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Author: rebel clarinetist
Date: 2004-02-16 22:53
I would read everyone's opinion and go from there. I know what it's looking for a clarinet. I'm presently looking for a Buffet R-13--(a WOODEN one)and haven't found it yet. I found a "plastic" Buffet R-13 on Ebay and got it at a GREAT price!!! So, DON'T count out Ebay, BUT you HAVE to know what you are looking for, as you CAN get "ripped off". GOOD LUCK!!!! Cynthia
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Author: Avie
Date: 2004-02-17 01:36
Is it possible that your fathers personal property insurance will cover the loss? If so, maybe he could purchase another clarinet as close as possible to replace the stolen one.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-02-17 03:26
>>>>I found a "plastic" Buffet R-13 on Ebay and got it at a GREAT price.<<<<
There's no such a thing as "plastic" Buffet R-13
Vytas Krass
Pro clarinet technician
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2004-02-17 03:28
>>HAVE to know what you are looking for, as you CAN get "ripped off".
erm... a plastic R-13?
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-02-17 03:30
You may have a B-12 there -- a decent horn that indeed can be had at a great price, but it's no R-13.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-17 03:31
Quote:
I found a "plastic" Buffet R-13 on Ebay and got it at a GREAT price. Either you have a "greenline" R-13, or you did indeed get "ripped off" into thinking it's an R13 when it isn't. I'd take a very close look at the clarinet when it arrives and make sure it is in fact an R-13. Otherwise, unless you still think you want to hold onto it, I'd send it back with a complaint that it wasn't advertised correctly.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-17 03:39
Ralph G said;
> You may have a B-12 there
Or a B-10
> but it's no R-13.
It's also not an E-11, E-12 or E-13 ...GBK
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