 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2004-03-18 22:18
Why do half the world play on french clarinets? The reason I ask is because we are losing our individual sounds around the world. There is no such thing as a French sound, English sound etc... Will we all sound the same or will our Countries start producing individual sounds again. What do people think?
Peter Cigleris
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-03-18 22:31
It's the "taste" Peter....French clarinets have a sort of red burgandy, backyard snail taste.....English horns are more "jellied eel"....Chinese made clarinets....especially the Bb's have a "won ton flavor"....and those Indian made jobs....burn your mouth with the "curry".
Aside from that.....the sound is pretty much the same......It's the sturdiness of the keywork....and your lips that produce the "true melodial" difference.
JG
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-03-19 01:44
The American schools of music were founded (primarily) by French instructors... hence the choice of machine design.
And now back to "Mixolodian, the cartoon channel for Church!"
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-19 04:26
I do wonder if there are some brands of Clarinets made in France today that are real junk, as there have been in the past. We here discuss Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc, and a few others. Are there perhaps a few really foul Clarinets made in France nowadays?
Regards,
John
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-03-19 05:30
"we are losing our individual sounds around the world"
I think that that has very little to do with the intrument being French or not. French players sounded completely different 50 years ago than they do now, and they still played French instruments back then! It's the way you blow the thing that gives it an individual sound.
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Author: Markus Wenninger
Date: 2004-03-19 06:12
Such a blase distinctioin has been made between German System- and French-System -clarinets, right up to Busoni. But as all others stated, it´s is the individual performer´s way of using the tool that makes the sound, regardeless of one´s passport . Indeed I see a rollback nowadays, as far as the avantgarde and New Music is concerned, to German-Systems, a decade or so ago it was just the other way round...I suppose this is right another symptom of us woodwinds´ basically hysteric layout...
M
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-19 11:02
'The American schools of music were founded (primarily) by French instructors"
I wonder if that's actually true....
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Author: Taxijazz
Date: 2004-03-19 11:26
Practice Chinese music in the key of C with a polka beat on a Turkish clarinet and you'll find out.
And yes, Irish will eventually be free, but they'll never make a pennywhisle to match up to the superior craftmanship of French clarinets.
Globalization is most unfortunate too--You'll see within your lifetime-- perhaps before you try the shakuhachi or even a digeridoo.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2004-03-19 12:00
I do not know about "junk" clarinets made in France. Even Marigaux stopped its clarinet production since 2002, to devote themselves only to the oboe family making. So there are three French clarinet makers: Buffet-Crampon, Selmer and Leblanc.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-19 15:28
If you want to know why French clarinets are so good, just ask the French --- they'll be more than happy to tell you --- and also French wines, French aircraft, French art, French music, French governments (well, maybe not those.....).
just kidding --- vive la France!
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-19 15:52
There is no clarinet made in North America that is remotely near the quality and consistency of sound over French made instruments...
we pride ourselves more on our technical achievements here rather than artisitic achievement!
We are very much a techno society...artistans in instrument making are certainly not as valued here as in Europe which has a two thousand year tradition! This goes back to ancient Greece...we are more rather like ancient Romans before the fall...somewhat narcissistic in our inclinations...
David Dow
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-19 15:57
I have an old Mariguax clarinet here which is quite nice...too bad they too stopped...I always felt Marigaux to be quite beatiful...there oboes are pretty fantastic...they are really regarded quite highly in Europe.
David Dow
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-19 15:59
Quote:
There is no clarinet made in North America that is remotely near the quality and consistency of sound over French made instruments... Depending who you talk to, Stephen Fox clarinets and Chadash clarinets.
Score:
Alexi - 2
D Dow - 0
hehe. I had to. But mass production-wise, you are correct. Which is probably what you assumed anyway. I just felt the need to play "devil's advocate'.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-19 15:59
D Dow wrote:
> There is no clarinet made in North America that is remotely
> near the quality and consistency of sound over French made
> instruments...
So I guess you don't like Chadash or Stephen Fox clarinets. I haven't seen the Chadash, but I sure as heck like the Fox ones.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-19 16:01
sfalexi wrote:
> hehe. I had to. But mass production-wise, you are correct.
Are there any mass-produced clarinets actually made in NA anymore?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-19 16:12
Quote:
Are there any mass-produced clarinets actually made in NA anymore? Selmer student clarinets I BELIEVE are made in the US. They have separate links on the selmer website for "Selmer Paris" and "Selmer USA". I'm checking into it though since I've seen how you can respond to these wishy-washy statements of "I think" in order to either verify or have to correct the above statement.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-19 16:16
And we have confirmation. Here's a snippet from www.selmer.com.
"The Selmer Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., is the largest manufacturer of band and orchestra instruments in the United States. The company's product line includes Selmer, Vincent Bach and Buescher band instruments, Ludwig drums, Musser percussion, Emerson flutes and piccolos, Glaesel stringed instruments, and Wm. Lewis & Son stringed instruments, which are sold through a network of distributors throughout the world. To contact The Selmer Company, write to P.O. Box 310, Elkhart, IN 46515."
So Yup. Selmer USA clarinets (the student models) are manufactured in the US of A.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-03-19 16:16
How else are we going to sound like Maurice Chevalier, bien sur!
I have played the Chadash clarinets (multiples). Very fine instruments, and extremely consistent. Interestingly, he uses a lot of French techniques to make them.
I don't think regional sounds are homogenizing at all. The "French School" still sounds quite distinct from what has evolved in the United States. The hardware has little to do with it. And cross yourself three times and spit before saying there is no English sound any more. It is quite distinctive. in the US alone, there is wide variation in the notion of sound.
Just gotta avoir de l'oreille if I may completely butcher two languages in one sentence.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-03-19 16:54
Are Y'all so sure about the phrase "Made In The USA." When I was a wee lad there was a town in Japan renamed USA so things could be marked "Made in USA." Now they just pass laws which require a certain portion of an item to be re-assembled or manufactured in the USA for it to be acceptable. So which chuck of Selmer gets produced by the "Broadwellians" and then re-assembled in the States?
Possible?
Bob A
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-19 19:50
Artley: a United Musical Instruments (UMI) brand: generally, poor quality
Armstrong: Ditto
Winston: Chinese-made
just my opinions.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-19 21:42
"half the world play on French clarinets"......
I'd sure like to see the stats to back up that claim.....
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-21 19:27
Wow, did Leblanc quit making Vito Clarinets in Kenosha while I wasn't watching?
And Javier, are there really no other Clarinet builders in France other than the three you mentioned? What a surprise!
And if "half the world play on French clarinets" refers to the number of Clarinets being played, that would be astounding. The big French makers may produce some excellent instruments (among their total production), but their factories do not spit them out like popcorn. Do remember that most Buffets, for example, are made in Germany. If you mean half the top concert players, well, that may be right.
Regards,
John
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-03-21 19:49
"Do remember that most Buffets, for example, are made in Germany"
Yes- but Buffet is still a French clarinet. Surely you wouldn't refer to Buffet as a German clarinet??!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-21 20:30
Sure I would, in reference to an instrument made in Germany. Yes, Buffet is a French name (although until recently owned by a British company for many years), but Clarinets made by Schreiber and labeled "Buffet" have very little to do with France. There is little French about them except the name and perhaps part of the bore design.
Liquorice, in connection with your country, laws in the US regarding "generic" names of national origin allow cheese similar to Emmenthaler to be sold in the US as "Swiss" cheese, even though it never has been within thousands of miles of Switzerland. To me, this is not good.
Regards,
John
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-21 20:31
There may have been some (recent years/decades) assembly in the U.S., but parts manufacture has been farmed out to foreign countries for long enough to know that it won't happen in NA again soon.
Speaking to NA (North America) it was said:
"we pride ourselves more on our technical achievements here rather than artisitic achievement! "
--------------------------------
I don't think so - it's not about achievement. Everyone wants technical achievements; in NA it's a question of geedas - moolah- dinero - $$$ !
FACT: There is little or no money to be made in Instrument Manufacturing. Selmer and Buffet were both sold for a "song & a dance". When Boosey & Hawkes was busted up as to it's parts & sold, it was the printed music division that had premium value. Steinway was about to steal the instrument division or pick it up @ fire sale later, when TMG appeared as a White Knight and paid (just a tad) more. TMG still faces a daunting task.
French designs can be easily copied & refined. Yamaha has demonstrated that time & time again. The Japanese are World Masters of engineering & design refinement. Judging by the wholesale dumping that Yamaha does with its woodwinds in NA every year, their clarinets can't be making them a lot of money. No doubt, (some) foreign currency gains have provided some fuel for the foreign manufacturers.
Fox is a real homerun - a Canadian Treasure - but it's a small boutique business he runs - probably the model for anybody else with knowledge & manufacturing know-how to pull it off. Heck, if you study his resume - he's a Rocket Scientist !
best,
mw
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-21 20:53
so then why are plastic clarinets made in france better than american plastic clarinets............
actually, except for marching band and beginners, there is no reason a clarinet should be made of plastic
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-21 20:55
growlingbunny910 wrote:
> actually, except for marching band and beginners, there is no
> reason a clarinet should be made of plastic
And your reason for such a statement is????
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Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-03-21 22:22
Mark Charette wrote:
>
> And your reason for such a statement is????
i was refering to tonal quality of the instrument........if you enjoy the sound of plastic, by all means use one
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-21 22:40
G.B: (which?) American Plastic Clarinets - there are none made here. Even when we in the U.S. thought we had American made @ different times, we actually had stencils. Jupiter is not assembled in the U.S. Certainly some were manufactured here. But a French Company (Leblanc & sister companies) owned the American manufacturer. Conn some of its assembly in Mexico. Just cause it said "made in u.s.a" doesn't mean that was true. Truth in advertising evolves & is much further to the truth nowadays then in the past. best, mw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-03-21 23:17
growlingbunny910 wrote:
> Mark Charette wrote:
>
> >
> > And your reason for such a statement is????
>
>
> i was refering to tonal quality of the instrument........if you
> enjoy the sound of plastic, by all means use one
So was I.
Does plastic "have a sound" in a woodwind?
Now, tell me, what do you know about the inherent tonal qualities of of plastic vs. anything else when it comes to woodwind instruments? I've studied the subject and would like to hear where you've picked up your information if it isn't anecdotal.
If you're saying a cheap plastic clarinet sounds worse than a cheap wooden one - I don't think you're right.
If you're saying a well made plastic one (such as a Greenline) sounds worse than a cheaply made wooden one - I don't think you're right.
If you're saying a well made plastic one (like a Greenline or Loreé oboe) sounds worse than an equivalent wooden one:
Are you saying you could tell the sound of a Buffet Greenline 100% of the time from a different Buffet? Ot tell the difference between a plastic Loreé oboe or a wooden one all the time?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-22 04:36
mw: for what it's worth, you seem to have things a bit reversed. Leblanc has been an American company for many years. About 90% of Leblanc employees work in Wisconsin, the rest in France. Click on "History" at the Leblanc website.
Most of the time, I play a Vito V-40. It was designed in Kenosha by Tom Ridenour. Made in Kenosha by Leblanc. The Clarinet is well-designed, well-built, it is made of genuine plastic, and it is definitely a cut above the ordinary student instrument. Anyone who can distinguish it from a wood Clarinet by hearing and dislikes it is free to avoid listening. I've had no complaints so far.
Too bad for the French: they make such fine wood Clarinets, but they just haven't quite got the hang of building all-plastic ones. They'd sell a whole lot more that way and make tons of money. You may have noticed, there are a zillion less expensive plastic Clarinets sold.
Regards,
John
driver of a Chrysler PT Cruiser: designed in the US, built in Mexico, product of a company with main offices and res in Germany. And I do call it a Mexican car, because that's where it is made (the engine, too)
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-03-22 05:29
John, I have an active account with G. Leblanc. The G. Leblanc company is over 250 years old if we trace it's roots all the way back. The management function may have been American for the last 40+ years or so, but manufacturing & design of Leblanc brand wooden clarinets has always been French, including the Leblanc, Noblet & Normandy lines.
A controlling interest in Leblanc was purchased by an American, Vito Pascucci --- yet the company, IMO, was 100% French except for marketing functions.
The factories where the Opus' and Concerto's are manufactured (& where the recent fire struck) are located in France. Certainly, the operation in Kenosha. WI did (final) manufacturing - but it's my understanding that, for the most part, manufacturing of parts for the assembled clarinets did not occur there.
My point in the latter is that any significant achievement(s) that Leblanc has had occurrede in France. Marketing of plastic Clarinets boomed with the introduction of the Vito line - it's hard to see that as an achievement. And, I played on a Vito clarinet from age 13 on. It was a stepup from my wooden clarinet of the time.
gOING BACK IN TIME, G. Leblanc Company finds it's roots in D. Noblet. As it has been recounted, the Noblet family had no one to carry on the business - leaving the door wide open for Georges LeBlanc (Leon's Dad) to buy the company. Note that Leon Leblanc until his death in 2000, served as Chairman of the Board of the Board of the U.S.l Company.
[ Please note that Vito Pascucci recently passed away. He was a Salesman extraordinare -- unsurpassed in the relationships he built with his dealers, particularly in the U.S. Vito was an icon in more ways than one. ]
Please see below for excerpts from the Leblanc website on " Company History"
[Please just provide a pointer to the relevant part of the website rather than cutting & pasting lengthy text here. Following text deleted. Mark C. ]
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-03-22 06:37
A more simple and direct answer.
I don't know. I don't use one.
I do, however, make a reasonable amount of money getting them to work properly.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-03-22 13:49
JMcAulay wrote: "There is little French about them except the name and perhaps part of the bore design"
Well, let's see- they have French designed keywork, French style bore, hold the name of a French company... OK, Buffet may be owned by Boosey, but it is still the French instrument makers at Buffet who come up with the designs.
But if you consider Chrysler to be a Mexican car, then I can see where our views part!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-23 23:35
Perhaps your knowledge in this area is superior to mine, Liquorice. I had it on good authority that the Schreiber Boehm instruments' keywork was designed by Schreiber. Unless you are referring to the "Boehm" system design by Klose and a totally different Buffet. Good authorities sometimes get it wrong, you may have noticed. As for my car, what sort of national origin might you give it?
And mw, I have read the history on the Leblanc website more than once. But thanks for the suggestion that I refresh myself. I plan to do that.
Your statement implying that Leblanc has made no significant achievements in the USA is noted and ignored. On this matter, my opinion differs from yours quite radically.
Amazing, isn't it, that Leblanc does so little in the USA, yet they have 400 people working here and 40 in France. Wonder what those 400 people in Wisconsin are doing? I am always eager to enhance my knowledge. If anyone actually knows, please share it.
Regards,
John
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2004-03-24 11:33
Are players scared of playing other clarinets other than French ones, I myself play on Eton Wide bore clarinets having done my clarinet studies on a pair of Boosey 1010s. Why don't we be adventurous and play on other instruments. I find the French instruments inconsistant just like their reeds but having said that my professional colleagues seem to do quite well on their French clarinets so each to their own i surpose but I feel other instruments should be given the time of day when it comes to chosing because French might not the right instrument for them.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-03-24 16:54
I play on a clarinet which works well for me. It just happens to be a Buffet. I also have a Selmer.
When I acquired the Buffet R13 20 years ago, I did so because it was "what the pros played." My opinions have evolved since then, but I have no money to invest in a new clarinet. I'd like a Steve Fox clarinet (and a tarogato) someday, but for now, it's the 1969 R13.
Quite frankly, I'd try just about anything right now.
Katrina
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-03-24 17:55
theclarinetist wrote: "Isn't it possible that like french fries, french clarinets are actualy belgian"
Nope. Anyway, the French don't call "pommes frites" French fries, that's an American thing.
I agree with Peter Cigleris that we should try all instruments available. Although wide bore instruments won't suit most people's taste. There was incredible quality of work coming two small villages near Paris (where the original Buffet, Selmer and Leblanc factories started), and it's their work that has dominated evolution of Boehm instruments.
JMcAulay- actually your knowledge must be superior to mine, because I had just assumed that all clarients with the name "Buffet" had been designed by Buffet, even if they were built somewhere else.
I'm not sure what national origin I would give your car. The global economy puts a lot fo these things into grey catagories. For example- the French managed to stop other countries callijg their sparkling wine "Champagne", even if it was made with the same method as used in France. But the Champagne makers now use grapes from Australia to meet the global demand for "French" Champagne. How does THAT work????
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-24 18:04
As for myself, if it was put together in france, I would consider it french. If it was put together in the Americas, it would be American. As for the design or parts, if someone wanted to know, I would say it had "so and so" parts in it.
So cars put together in USA, to me, would be American. And I might point out that it contains parts from here or there, or the design was German or whatever the case, but to me, it's still an American car. Or clarinet.
So Rossi instruments to me are Chilean. But with a french bore, or american bore, etc.
Alexi
Just how my eyes view it.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-24 18:26
Alexi,
My Dodge Intrepid is assembled in Windsor, Ontario Canada, from parts mostly from the US, by a German company (Daimler-Chrysler) --- so by your definition, it's a Canadian car, correct? And as for the current flood of Taiwanese and Chinese-manufactured saxophones: if they're shipped, partially or (even completely) disassembled to California or Utah or wherever in the US and re-assembled (which may take one worker all of ten minutes to do), then by your definition they are American saxophones --- sorry, I can't go for that.....
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-24 18:48
Dave,
That's the thing. Unless one of us finds the "legal" definition, we will have to settle for our "own" ways unless someone else's way makes more sense to us.
So yup. I'd say your car is Canadian, made with american parts and manufactured by a German company. And I'd descrive the saxes the same way. Of course, if I had something and knew all the information, I'd describe precisely that when telling people about it. For instance, people know that the Selmer 10G was a clarinet whose design was based off of a moenigg adjusted set of Buffet R13s. However SELMER won't tell you that . . . but if someone asked what kind of clarinet I had, and I had a 10G I'd be inclined to tell them that it's a Selmer 10G, but include the "funny story" of how it's design is actually mimicking a Buffet R13 that Moennig adjusted.
That way they get the complete picture. And if you don't have the complete picture, at least be decent enough to let them know what facts you DO know. Especially if it'll cause some interest. I'd rather know that this buffet clarinet was made in Germany under the "Buffet" name and not in France like I might think.
However if it's probably no big deal and they may not be interested in it, don't bother. So if I were to ask you what kind of car you have, simply answer "Dodge Intrepid." If I ask you where it was made, it's evident that I'm interested in more of the details. Then go ahead and describe what you did above.
Of course some things are just COOL to know in general (like the Selmer 10G origin). Of course, that's provided you are one of those on the board that finds nitty gritty details about clarinets "cool".
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-03-24 18:51
My contribution:
Nike, Adidas, Reebok are all Chinese shoes (not that that's a bad thing) ...GBK
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-03-24 19:24
Uh.....if we all spent as much time practicing as we do debating the ins and outs of.....whatever....we'd all be so darned good....Pete Fountain....Eddie Daniels....and the rest of the living clarinet PROS would have something to worry about.....
If it says MADE IN FRANCE.....and plays good.....that's good enough for me...
JG....The Clarinator
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-03-24 23:12
How about if it plays good but is not MADE IN FRANCE?
And Pete Fountain may be a pro, but I doubt he's a PRO. Could he parachute into a dark orchestra pit or the jungle of a symphonic rehearsal and complete the mission by the book?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-03-25 02:41
Liquorice: Just a few more words from me, and I will go away from this one.
Re "Grench fries": Curious that the sauteed bread soaked in an egg mixture is known in France as "Biscitte Americaine," while in the US, it's caslled "French toast." Seems as if neither country wants to claim credit.
And in the Wonderful Woeld of Wine, there is an excellent vineyard and winery in northern California which is owned by Moet et Chandon, of French Champagne fame. The place is owned by the French, run by the French, grapes of French origin are grown there, and the vinting and processing is strictly methode Champenoise, same as done at the Moet head shed back in France. Any difference between wine the company makes in California and their French product is purely accidental. But neither the laws of the US nor France allow it to be called "French Champagne." The producer simply calls it "Moet Cuvee Napa," although US law would allow it to be labeled "Champagne," which would be anathema to the French. So it's just naturally sparkling wine produced in California. Good stuff, too. But French Champagne it is not.
Regards,
John
writing this on his computer made in Singapore from mostly Chinese parts by or for a company with an American name that is based in Korea -- on this one, I give u
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2004-03-25 05:36
David Spiegelthal, above you mention that Winston are Chinese made. There have been rumors of at least some Winstons being European, specifically Amati stencils. Anyone have any more info about that?
WT
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-25 14:35
Wayne, why not email/write the E.M. Winston company (in Boston, I think they are) and ask them? You could also ask Graham Golden if he knows if Amati is making stencil horns for anybody these days.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-25 15:02
Graham once told me that I'd be surprised if I knew who uses Amati stencils. So I'm assuming that they make stencil horns for MUTLIPLE different brands. However I'm not sure if he's at liberty to say that kind of information.
But Dave's right. It certainly can't hurt to ask.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Anders
Date: 2004-03-25 15:07
As a flutist reviving my early love affair with the clarinet (and learning a lot from the correspondents here!), my 2 cents worth...
"...artistans in instrument making are certainly not as valued here as in Europe which has a two thousand year tradition..."
Oddly, the USA sets the world standard -- and has for several generations -- for handmade flutes (Brannen, Haynes, Powell, Almeida, Burkhardt, Landell, Abell, and several others). Thus, there is nothing in the air, water, or culture that prevents our countrypersons from producing fine instruments. (It is probably true, however, that artists/artisans here are not as valued as in Europe, but more because of our bitch god, Money.)
As to the role of the instrument -- many top flutists favor gold or platinum flutes if they can afford them, but no one has ever had more gorgeous sound than Julius Baker on a silver Powell or Marcel Moyse on a Cuesnon flute that was basically brass and german silver alloy. So where did the sound come from?
I believe that the concept of sound starts in the player's psyche and ear (no doubt influenced by role models, teachers, prevailing culture) and finds expression either through or despite the instrument. As a longtime Philly area resident and Philly orchestra concert goer, I propose the following theory: if the lamented Gigliotti rematerialized and exchanged instruments with Morales (magnificent, but radically different artists), both, after a period of adjustment, would sound pretty much as they always did/do. Gigliotti said that he had to play as he did in order to penetrate the Philly string wall -- but what then explains Bonade, Ralph McClane, Sam Cavezial, or indeed Riccardo Morales, none of whom sound(ed) like him (judging by records in the first two cases)? Similarly, i'll bet you could give Jacques Lancelot a Boosey & Hawkes but never hear Jack Brymer's sound. Perhaps an artist chooses equipment to facilitate the creation of a sound world; but is he or she dominated by that equipment?
I'm willing to be contradicted...
As to why french clarinets are so popular (apart from marketing, availability, teachers' preferences, etc.), isn't it just plainer cooler and more romantic to have an instrument stamped "Paris" rather than "Elkhart"?
Finally, longing for an "A" clarinet to replace my old Selmer BT (1930s), I recently acquired a Yamaha CX. It was inexpensive, it was local, it was available (in the Philly area there are surprisingly few real music stores any more). And it's beautiful! I hate the logo design, I'd prefer to see "Paris" on there, but it plays lots better than that much lamented and revered Selmer! (By the way, Hans Moennig said that BT stood for "Bum Tone".)
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2004-03-25 15:27
Anders, thanks much for a flute perspective. It's interesting that different instruments carry some different predjudices, i. e. the world of flutes offers more choices of materials than the clarinet.
David, Alexi, I will write E. M. Winston and ask. Anders, I working toward thinking that a label that says Amati Kraslice will be charming enough for a new bass clarinet, if I could find one to play.
W
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The Clarinet Pages
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