 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: villagegirl30
Date: 2004-02-24 02:04
I am an amateur clarinetist and I have been playing for 15 years. I have a buffet E-11 Bb clarinet which really sounds quite good. Recently I have been getting into playing chamber music and am seriously considering "upgrading" my instrument and getting an A clarinet to expand my repertoire. I found searching this bulletin board for advice useful, but have a few extra questions:
1) A clarinet repair technician told me that a professional model clarinet would not sound noticeably better than my E-11 given that my E-11 clarinet is well "worn in". Is this true?
2) Is there much difference between the buffet R-13, RC or Festival models? Is it worth spending the extra money on a more expensive Buffet model above the R-13? As an amateur, will I even be able to tell the difference between these models?
3) Would you ever use EBay or an online shop such as Music123.com to buy a new clarinet?
4) Do you get any discount for buying a pair of clarinets?
Thanks
Alex
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-02-24 02:26
Villagegirl,
1) Depends on the clarinet. You could find an R-13 that sounds better than any clarinet you've ever heard; then again, you may be so in sync with your E-11 that you'd be hard pressed to find something even better for you. Clarinets are very individual things, and though the R-13 has several features that make it more likely to be a somewhat better performer than the E-11, it's all in how you and the clarinet jibe. Not to mention that within the same model line (especially the R-13) there are clarinets with great tuning and intervals and lousy clarinets that make every aspect of playing difficult for you. Try as many as you can.
2) Yes, there are differences between the horns you mentioned -- all different bores, the RC has a differently-shaped bell, and the Festival has slight differences in the tone hole and register tube placement (use the Search function to find more in-depth discussions on these models and more). All these can add up to significant differences in playing qualities. But, again, clarinets are very individual things; you and I may try the same horns and get incredibly different results with them.
3) If you know what you're doing, eBay can be great. Just do your homework, make dang sure the clarinet is exactly what you're led to believe it is, and arrange for a trial period and a return option if it's not a good match for you. With large mail-order houses like Music123, try to arrange for several clarinets to be sent to you and allow adequate time to test them in different playing conditions. As in your first question, the same rule applies -- try as many as you can.
4) Some places may cut you a deal if you buy a set (a big retailer in Australia has had great pricing on R-13 sets before), but most of the places I've seen don't offer that option. I could be wrong. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will pipe in here.
Good luck
________________
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: cujo
Date: 2004-02-24 02:49
Never buy anything new on ebay(i could be wrong). Probably much better off buying used and expecting a few pads/corks adjustment. And always check the sellers feedback.
I think you would be better off fixing up your E-11. If it already sounds good maybe a little adjustment/pads/cork would just make it better. Unless you have extra money or need a backup instrument I would stay with the E-11.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-02-24 03:41
I would certainly agree with Cujo, never buy a new instrument on Ebay. Or for that matter anything as expensive as a new clarinet sight-unseen.
You deserve to have a try before purchasing such a big-ticket item!
David Dow
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-02-24 04:06
I have bought 3 clarinets on ebay. 2 Bundy's, one was great and the other is my project but for about $35.00 I don't feel too ripped off.
I bought an Buffet R-13 A too that was a bargain. It was used but plays great.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-24 06:26
Whenever you buy a used clarinet, add the price of an overhaul to the price of the clarinet. Just so you're prepared for a "worst scenario" situation.
Remember that the only thing that really makes a "prestige" a "prestige" in the buffet line is an alternate Eb lever. So don't get caught up in the "prestige" line of thinking if you feel you don't need that alternate Eb lever.
Quote:
As an amateur, will I even be able to tell the difference between these models? I would advise doing your homework (as you are doing in this post! Good job!) and also, if you have access to a very good clarinet player in the area, or even a another good musician, see if you can bring them along with you as you try out clarinets or bring the clarinet and try it out with them. It doesn't hurt to have an extra set of ears (especially if they are good, knowledgable, tasteful and unbiased ears.)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-24 15:22
I also am an amateur player of much more than 15 years and have two E-11s that I like along with two R13s that I also like...a bit more than the E-11s. I have purchased...on eBay...from Music123 and have always been 100% happy with my purchases(plural). I have purchased used clarinets on eBay that did not require any overhaul in order to play satisfactorily. I am willing to discuss the subject at length with you directly since it might be too lengthy for this forum.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-24 15:38
Hi,
I've had great results with eBay. I bought a junkie clarinet through eBay on purpose. Got it. Wasn't happy with it. The dealer said I could return it. I kept it for the mpc :-)
I bought my Ridenour 147 as a result of finding a business on eBay that was selling two Rid's. I bought the one from their store that they weren't selling on eBay. But, I found the store because I checked eBay. And boy am I glad I found it!
Also got my Eddie Daniels' mpc from eBay. Which as I've said before -- I love it.
And if there is a question you have about something on eBay you're interested in, post here asking for some input. Folks have been more than helpful with me that way in the past.
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Author: Bob Schwab
Date: 2004-02-26 21:47
To address two of your questions.
eBay can be a great place to get stuff. I bought a very slightly used Hite "J" model mouthpiece, shipping included, for only $18. List on that mouthpiece is over $100. I'm happy. Only once have I felt as though the person selling on eBay was less than honorable. It was from a chinese guy in Canada selling pearls. They were supposed to be Akoya pearls. The price was great, but the pearls weren't and they took two months to arrive directly from China. He didn't answer his e-mails and... you get the picture.
Regarding another question you had, "As an amateur, will I even be able to tell the difference between these models?" Don't be surprised if you can't. I've only been playing for a few years, so I'm not a pro by a long shot, but I play a relatively new Yamaha (YCL-450). I have a music teacher friend who plays an R-13. I tried his and, besides it feeling very different in my hands, I had a hard time telling a difference in the sound. For what it's worth, when he tried mine he was very impressed.
That probably didn't help did it.
Bob Schwab
"The judgment of God has always come upon a nation when it is no longer acceptable to be a righteous man in that society." Ray Hughes
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2004-02-27 12:49
can you tell the difference as an amateur????
I can relate to that. I am definitely in the amateur category. I have played the clarinet only one year out of the last 30 years and only 8 years before that.
When trying other clarinets I could tell a little difference, if any, with most models. But I have only had the opportunity to try the Selmer line and did not include the Signature.
Until I tried the Selmer Odyssey and Arty's, then it was day and night. I suppose that as I get better and more consistent in my playing then I can detect more difference between models.
But, by all means try some clarinets. I plan on trying many more.
To prove how "cultural deprived" I am, I must admit that I have never played a R-13 and to my knowledge have never ever seen one. Except I can assume that while attended a concert there is a good chance that there was one in the orchestra.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-02-27 13:07
At least on eBay you have 'real world' pricing - compare to the Classifieds...
If you're shopping for a new instrument, if your local retailer can come within 10% of the price, BUY LOCAL stock.
I would say that any commodity, which is disposable, should be purchased at the lowest possible price... reeds, ligatures, cork grease, etc would fall into this category.
If you're buying items that have real variability in appeal, and playing character (instruments and mouthpieces) - it pays to have a right of return.
I doubt most auctions will allow you to take the instrument on trial.
eBay is the 500 pound gorilla - and still home to a few bargains.
Just don't expect to get the same kind of service as a retail outlet.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-27 14:38
As a regular eBay buyer and seller it is easy to forget that many posters here are not....and also that they are not willing or capable of doing most repairs. For those maybe the best bet(along with patronizing your local shop and/or the sponsors on this BB) is to use the eBay sellers who are also regular music dealers such as the one previously mentioned. There are others who are just as reliable and who also allow returns. Just read their writeups and also view their other offerings.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-02-27 19:42
Bob - do you have experience with Music123.com? I have never bought from them, but I called with some questions, and they were helpful. They have good prices and a return policy. Maybe that makes up for the lack of service to the instrument after its sold.
I also notice a great degree of similarity between Music123.com's catalog and some other well known on-line/mail order dealers. Is it possible that there's really just one central clarinet warehouse that supplies all the retailers?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2004-02-28 03:29
Always expect that a new instrument, regardless of where you buy it, will require adjustments, repairs, and even an overhaul. The manufacturers simply cannot afford to spend the necessary time to get an instrument into top condition. Possible exceptions are the Powell, Haynes, Brannen, and other expensive flutes.
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