 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Daggett
Date: 2004-11-09 02:37
Hi everyone! I`m a high school clarinetist and I`ve been needing a new instrument for a while. My price range is up to about $1,000. Right now I`ve narrowed my search to the Buffet E11, E12, R13, or the Yamaha YCL450. The Buffet E11 is the cheapest at nearly $700, and extremely popular. The R13 would obviously be ideal, but with my price range it would have to be a used one. I don't know much about the Yamaha models yet, but I hear that Yamaha makes solid instruments.
Now, I have three questions.
What are some differences between the E11, E12, and R13? They all have similar features, and I've been unable to find anything online to compare the three. I'm guessing that the E12 would be better than the E11 with the price difference, but still unsure of what to get. I`m afraid none of the music stores in my area carry the E12, so I am unable to compare them.
I really wanted to get a R13, even a used one, but I am at a loss of where to find one. I don`t like the idea of purchasing such an instrument online, especially off of Ebay. Not to mention, I am a poor judge of instrument condition and would be even worse at attempting to repair it. Does anyone know some good places to look?
I was also considering getting a new mouthpiece, something not too expensive. I`m currently looking at the Vandoren b45 and the lyre, and would love some advice on a good mouthpiece with these clarinets. Currently I`m using a Selmer C* with Mitchell Lurie 4 reeds (prefer them over Vandoren/Grand Concert). The Selmer has a very short facing (shorter than advertised) and I`m having a lot of resistance with it, so I wanted something easier to blow through.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-11-09 03:25
Hi --
You seem to be on the right track. As far as the instruments you have mentioned go, I would think the R13 would be your best bet by a mile. And you can almost certainly find a really good used one within your price range.
Personally, I wouldn't completely dismiss Ebay purchasing. Any number of the truly professional participants -- players and technicians -- on this board sell on Ebay from time to time. There's also a section of this site where you can list your "wants", and see what others might be selling.
I'm also sure you'll get lots of advice from others here.
As for mouthpieces, do a search of this board and the Klarinet mailing list, and prepare for a long read. There is more information on mouthpiece selection here than probably any place else in the world.
Good luck!
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-11-09 03:35
I would try eBay. If you're lucky you can get older completely overhauled R-13 from 1955-80 for about $800-$900. Just make sure that ALL pads, tenon corks and key corks are brand new and the instrument is properly adjusted and ready to play. Make sure that you're buying the instrument from the clarinet player or technician. Ask a lot of questions.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2004-11-09 03:59
This is obvious, and you have probably already done this. Look on this board, right now. The thread "Worth buying on eBay?" addresses some of the same questions. Not to mention that a search on 'mouthpieces' will overwhelm you with opinions.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-11-09 04:58
[ Snipped - GBK ]
Anyway, getting a used R13 is a much better idea than the E11 or E12. These models are very different from the R13 and might not even be made in France.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-11-09 11:20
So JZ, the real swing point is this:
Can you play the instrument before purchase?
There are some regular supporters of this BBS that could help out, but the instruments may not be new (Heresy to a young person, I know...) perhaps you could think of it as recycling.
I would think that for $1000 you could have LOADS of decent choices.
The best place to purchase your second hand instrument is at your local repair shop (if they provide a service warranty), even if you pay a premium.
One word of warning about eBay items - if it costs less than a complete overhaul, it probably needs one.
John Butler, Dave Spiegelthal and Brenda Siewert are nice people that sell quality goods - at least drop them a line.
FYI - I like the Buffet R13s from the 80,000 to 120,000 range myself, however
I play a Ridenour TR147 that cost less than $100!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2004-11-09 14:40
I have purchased numerous (too embarrassed to tell you how many) instruments through e-bay. I usually pay hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars less than what I'd pay at the local music store. This is sad but true.
Here are some considerations. I never buy from anyone with less than 40 transactions or with three or more negatives per 100 transactions. I never buy from someone overseas. I always check the shipping costs to make sure that shipping isn't a profit center for the seller. And mostly, I buy from the professional music shops like brasswinds and woodwinds of Australia (two instruments both Yamaha Custom Z saxes and for at least a thousand less than anywhere in the states at the time) or ProWinds (two instruments with numerous trade-in and neck exchanges until I was happy) from the east coast.
The best deals I’ve gotten though have been from a co-worker (Seattle) who has sold hundreds of instruments a year all the way through college and beyond. Sometimes I try them out for months at a time. I bought a flute, a trumpet, two saxes, two clarinets, and numerous other instruments that my friends bought. If you are in Seattle, he is the guy to know. :o)
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-11-09 15:30
I am an eBay seller from time to time and also know of other eBayers who are serious clarinet players and very honest sellers. In fact, if you're interested I can give you the name of one eBay seller who has E11s for under $600.00 brand new. I can personally vouch for the fact he is honest and you'll get a good instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Daggett
Date: 2004-11-09 22:26
Thanks to everyone for their help, but I'm afraid my parents made it quite explicit e-bay isn't one of my options. I've been calling around the music stores in my area and haven't been able to find a suitable match yet. I live in the Orange County / LA County Area in CA if anyone knows anything that might help me.
Would the E-12 be my next best option? Or should I opt for the E-11, or another clarinet?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-11-10 02:04
<<Would the E-12 be my next best option? Or should I opt for the E-11, or another clarinet?>>
No, really! An R13 would be your best option. Why put that amount of money into a "student" horn, when you are obviously a serious player? If you're still playing in a couple of years, you will wish to heaven that you had held out for the R13. Believe me.
And you should be able to find a good reconditioned one within your price parameters.
Would your folks let you deal with someone from this board?
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LeeB
Date: 2004-11-10 02:18
I think you'd be better off buying an instrument that needed a complete overhaul at a decent price, providing the instrument didn't have cracks and hasn't been abused. Having bought four clarinets (two sopranos, an alto and a bass) off of eBay, I've concluded that "rebuilt" can mean a lot of things. There are lots of hobbyists rebuilding clarinets. You don't want that. Two of the instruments I had bought were "rebuilt," but needed a lot of further attention. My best deal was an R13 from 1967 that needed rebuilding. I took it to my local guy who did the job correctly the first time. It turned out to be a wonderful instrument, playing better than a 2003 R13 that I bought in like-new condition. I paid $600 for the clarinet, and about $275 for a very thorough rebuild. The instrument also looked like new when it was finished. I'm VERY satisfied.
When you have the instrument rebuilt by a trusted local tech, you'll most likely be able to take it back for a few minor tweaks "on the house" as the fresh rebuild breaks in. You'll also be establishing a good relationship with a technician for the long haul.
I'd be suspicious of paying a premium price for a rebuilt eBay instrument, if I was unfamiliar with the rebuilder. In my book, the best bet is to have an instrument rebuilt locally.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Daggett
Date: 2004-11-10 02:32
They are pretty pessimistic about buying online, but I will do my best to persuade them. I'm sure that, given a few days to try out the instrument, everything could work out fine. I looked up some R13s on E-bay but I haven't found any suitable ones for sale at the moment. In any case, I live near LA, I'm sure that there will be some used clarinets for sale around here somewhere
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
