 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary C
Date: 1999-12-10 19:39
I just bought a step up clarinet for my son. I also had an e-11 (plus an old Buescher and a Signet 100) available used for about $400 from a local dealer. Knowing that WW&BW sells new E-11 for about $600 I was not keen on buying a used one for $400.
When my son tried them he preferred the Signet...probably 'cause he played a Selmer for years.
So I just looked around and found a Signet 100 on eBay for $95 and paid $100 for a complete overhaul. So for $200 he's ready to go and I have a nice Christmas gift and saved a couple hundred.
If you have time...keep looking until the right deal comes up...
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 1999-12-10 21:14
Recently, I've seen the Buffet E-11 for $535 & $539. Aaron Hayden had some (old stock) E-11's with silver keywork for $535. Now gone I think. The E-11 is a pretty fair clarinet, good for small hands, and tunes fairly well. The E-11 also comes with a 1 yr warranty. The Signet 100 is near the bottom of the Signet line. Some of are nice, some don't tune as well. BUT, I agree, its hard to go wrong for $200. The E-11, IMO, would be a stepup up from the Signet 100.
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Author: Gary C
Date: 1999-12-12 04:31
Obviously I should have posted in the thread below...but you support my point. $400 for a used E-11 is too much when you can get a new one for under $550.
If my Signet doesn't work out I'm sure I can get my $200 out of it...and get a better horn. If it works for a couple yers maybe we move into an R-13. And at this point, my boy prefered the signet 'cause it was familiar to him so I don't think it was too much of a gamble.
Besides..I can't spend too much on a top drawer clarinet...I may also need to buy a bari sax soon!
gary
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 1999-12-12 17:42
Gary C wrote: "Obviously I should have posted in the thread below...but you support my point. $400 for a used E-11 is too much when you can get a new one for under $550."
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Agree. Sounds like it will work out great for you. Maybe a lot of our problems are caused these days by just running out and buying a kid whatever they want OR think they need. On the other hand buying a good quality instrument in the first place avoids an UNnecessary battle, fighting a clarinet that is bad or setup bad, etc. Sorry for the soapbox.
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Gary C wrote: "If my Signet doesn't work out I'm sure I can get my $200 out of it...and get a better horn. If it works for a couple yers maybe we move into an R-13. And at this point, my boy prefered the signet 'cause it was familiar to him so I don't think it was too much of a gamble."
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Agree. Sounds like no matter what happened you "wouldn't have spilled any", etc.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-12-15 17:55
I think you have a good solution that fits your pocketbook and your son's needs at the same time. The lower grade intermediate and student grade horns are a very good financial fit for hard working parents. If the young student gets several years of hard (nearly abusive) service out of the horn and learns how to play the horn well, then you have more justification to consider a pro grade horn later. If you can get your son or daughter to pitch in for the horn upgrade later, more power to you.
I know what it's like to have to make do with a plastic beater of a horn with junky reeds and no lessons to help me get better. I marched with that horn outdoors. I played school concerts with it. I even practiced a few times with it at home. I then did the worst thing you could do to a horn. I stored it in the attic for 20 plus years. A couple of years ago, I got it out of the attic and checked it out. Compared to my premium pro grade horn (and a few years of private lessons from a pro clarinetist), that plastic beater was pure junk. But it played. All of the keys worked and all of the pads sealed as well as they did decades ago. I gave the horn to my nephew who just started marching band last year. That horn may still be a piece of junk, but it continues to serve its mission - take all kinds of abuse and save its owner lots of money.
...and, my premium pro grade horn that I personally paid a fortune for is never going to have a hard life. It stays indoors at all times, is used very frequently in practice, and is constantly coddled to make sure it lasts in near pristine condition longer than the life of the plastic beater horn.
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