 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-22 13:34
I am kind of internet illiterate, so please excuse me...
but- I am actively looking for an A clarinet. Preferably a buffet, but a Leblanc works too, since they sound like decent clarinets too (I'm just a buffet child, what can I say!). But anyway, I need something cheap. I was hoping something under $1000 (so used), in good playing condition (of course), from someone willing to allow me to try it out, since I will NOT buy a clarinet without trying it first. I also don't know about credit card use. I'm guessing anything from online would require a credit card, but...
any help is appreciated.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-02-22 13:52
Check the classifieds here and check eBay. In 2002 I found a Leblanc LL A clarinet on eBay for well under $1,000. Buffet A's in that range are a little more tough to find, although you may be able to dig up a good intermediate E-11 or a pre-R-13 model. Be extra careful with R-13 A's -- many of the newer ones tend to have problems with the upper register, namely the clarion A, which is usually attributed to the register vent tube. Don't discount Yamaha A's, as the word on them is they're excellent; my section mate in my orchestra plays a Yamaha A and says it's very Buffet-like.
My Leblanc A is good but has a large bore. As my Bb is an R-13, I've gotten quite used to the Buffet way of life and would someday love to find a decent Buffet A. No way the wife would approve of that right now, though.
________________
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: Alseg
Date: 2005-02-22 14:29
Place a "wanted" on the classified board on this website.
I got a superb Selmer Recital A that way.
Do not be afraid of non-buffet.
I used a Leblanc A in high school (owned by the school) and it was fine.
Wish I could have kept it.
Some ebay merchants get good stuff (cpoak, chet, others). Dont be afraid to ask for trials and ask questions.
good luck.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-22 15:45
ok, stupid question: if I were to get a non-buffet, and I had a double case, would they both fit? because it looks like Buffet sells a buffet double case to fit two of the same brand and people always tell me that they're yamaha case is different than my buffet. I don't know...
and another question- my teacher told me that if I were to buy a Leblanc clarinet I'd have to do a little adjusting because they're different...somehow. I'm not sure how, but...
-Lindsie
Post Edited (2005-02-22 16:11)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-02-22 15:49
The Yamaha case slots for the joints are bigger/longer.
The Buffet pouchette might be tight fit....dont know for sure.
Anyway, most after-market cases (protec, Bam etc) would likely fit.
Minor issue for sure.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-02-22 16:03
The underlying styrofoam in my Pro-Tec double case allowed for form-fitting -- the slots were a bit snug, but I put my horns in the slots, zipped it up, and the next day it was a perfect fit.
My Leblanc came with an older double case with slots too large, and my horns would slip around some. So my wife got me the Pro-Tec.
You may want to stay with an attache-style case or larger, as pouchettes can be very tight. A loaner R-13 Prestige Bb I had once came in a Buffet double pouchette, and I had trouble fitting my A inside.
________________
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: donald
Date: 2005-02-22 17:50
i've had an R13 Bflat in a Yamaha case since 1998 with no problems, and my Yamaha Bflat was sold in a Buffet case, and my Buffet double case (which i just sold with one of my A clarinets) fitted the Yamaha with no problems
it's not an issue you need to be worrying about
in the "under $1,000" price range (assuming you mean US$) your best bet would be, as mentioned above, an old Leblanc, an old Selmer or a Yamaha.
donald
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-23 01:47
ok- I know everyone has their preferences, but how are yamahas? leblancs? pros, cons...i already know enough about buffets (I think)...though I've only had one, in my short history.
I just need to know that if I purchase a clar., I want the best possible brand...
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-02-23 02:39
Ho boy
here we go
what brand to buy
gee, i dunno
Selmer is nifty
Amati is thifty
Yammie is yummy as is Leblanc
Buffet the old standby
Give em all a honk.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-23 19:24
Would you be interested in a High Pitch A or Lo Pitch?
Bob Draznik
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Author: dummer musiker
Date: 2005-02-23 23:40
I have a Yahama A clarinet (model 72, I think...) that I found for $900 USD used. It has really consistent intonation throughout, and its not hard to change/adjust from my Bb R13. It plays beautifully. The only issue I have is that the left B natural key is set up a little lower than the R13, but thats really just a minor adjustment. I really like the clarinet and would recommend it (although, I dont think they still make the model I have...not sure).
Oh, and I keep both my clarinets in the Yahama double clarinet case, with a Buffet attache double case cover (it fits very well). No problems there.
:-)
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-02-24 23:41
Music-is-Life:
Don't even consider a High Pitch instrument (of any kind). Don't even talk to anyone about a High Pitch instrument. High Pitch instruments are old, outdated, quite often they're worn out and do not conform to today's standard (A=440) pitch. Even if you restore one yourself, it'll be un-useable with 99.9999% of your musician friends. You **don't** want to go there, trust me.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-24 23:54
ron b- I know you kind of explained the high pitch instrument thing, but I never knew there was even a choice! I have never been asked whether I was looking for a lo pitch or high pitch... How do I know what I have?? I'm guessing that my clarinet (buffet r-13) is "lo pitch" but...
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-25 12:44
ok- to be a bit more specific about my needs...
my Bb clarinet is a Buffet R-13; repadded with (I think) cork pads? (they're wood, not the white pads...oi clarinet terminology!); I have an adjustable thumbrest, which I like a lot... I'm guessing it's a lo pitch instrument, tends to be sharp in the upper register, flatter in the low register, and all over the place in the altissimo.
So if I could get an A with some of those qualities... hopefully better tuning!
a fellow band-mate is offering me his Buffet E-11 A clarinet for $900 (and this includes the double case), and I think I'd take it, except that it's a student clarinet. (and some upper register issues...) So really, what I'm looking for is a pro model instrument- doesn't HAVE to be a Buffet (I'd rather it was, but my teacher told me LeBlancs are good too....I'm still not sure about Yamahas...)
If anyone could give me a bit of info about pro models- I know the buffet has R-13... I believe the Greenline is a pro? and the international? but I'm not sure what to look for in the LeBlanc or Yamahas in regards to pro
another question: this kid who was offering me his A let me try it out and I found that the B (B4...third line B) was a bit hard to get out. I think I tuned it, but I can't remember how it was... but anyway, my question: I told him I felt that the clarinet was kind of resistent and that some of the notes were hard to get out; he said that when you play an A, you have to blow harder to get the air through. Since he's only a junior in highschool and has had this clarinet for about 2 months, I won't believe anything he tells me. So do A clarinets have more resistence? Should you have to blow harder to get notes out? (I was using a Vandoren 4 reed that worked on my Bb about 2 minutes prior to my playing the A... on my J&D Hite MP, which isn't very resistent and allows me a very good sound on my Bb and never gives me any resistence problems...)
and: if I get a clarinet from a dealer, rather than the internet, (let's just say I was considering buying from this kid....which I'm not, but hypothetically)- how much should the balue of the clarinet go down after it has been used? My clarinet teacher says that it's like a car- as soon as you take it off the lot, the value goes down by about half. I wouldn't know- I'm useless when it comes to financial business. So, if he bought his A (off WWBW.com) for $1000 (I think that was including the case, but I'm not sure...his case was $100); and after 2 or 3 months he wanted to sell it to me, how much should I be paying for it? My clar. teacher informed me that if he were to sell it back to WWBW.com, he'd probably come away with about $400...maybe $500.
thank you all!
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-02-25 14:23
Yes, an A clarinet is more resistant than a Bb. You will need more air support. But no single note should be any more difficult to play than others, notwithstanding the normal difficulties associated with certain altissimo notes. That B should pop right out along with all the others.
Half the value as soon as you leave the lot? The apocryphal "car driven off the lot" amount is 10 percent. Half is way high and outside. If I bought it two months ago for $1,000 and were selling it (and take note I'm not known for my business acumen), I'd start the bidding at around $900. You then should start your bidding accordingly. Try to meet somewhere in the middle.
WWBW offers such a ridiculously low buyback price because they're not in the business of buying -- they sell stuff. They purchase stuff from manufacturers at a low wholesale price, then sell it at a markup. They're not about to pay anything approaching retail price for a used horn (which, when they sell again, they'll have to offer as used merchandise) when they can get new stuff from the makers at a cut rate.
________________
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: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-25 15:17
alright- I updated my profile- not sure if it worked...
so those of you who don't want to clog up the board or whatever, feel free to e-mail me. I'm not sure if it worked, so my e-mail is: flyingmoose05@yahoo.com
oh-
Quote:
"Half the value as soon as you leave the lot? The apocryphal "car driven off the lot" amount is 10 percent. maybe that's what she said! or perhaps she was exaggerating or something....
Quote:
"WWBW offers such a ridiculously low buyback price because they're not in the business of buying -- they sell stuff." does that mean I shouldn't consider buying from them- I mean, say I had a 5-day trial period and liked the clar., but then I had problems with it months later, and wanted to sell it back to them- I would lose money on that deal. so should I avoid them altogether?
-Lindsie
Post Edited (2005-02-25 15:22)
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-02-25 15:44
There's a difference between a buyback policy and a return policy. Return policy should be the full amount (minus restock fee) during a specified time period. Buyback is just their willingness to buy back a used product outide the bounds of their return policy -- like a college bookstore buying back your books at the end of the semester. Truth be told, I don't even know if WWBW has such a policy, and I'm too lazy to check right now.
________________
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: GBK
Date: 2005-02-25 20:38
music_is_life said:
> I have never been asked whether I was looking
> for a lo pitch or high pitch...
> How do I know what I have?? I'm guessing that
> my clarinet (buffet r-13) is "lo pitch" but...
If your clarinet was made after 1939 you do not have to worry.
The current R-13 designation happened well after 1939, so relax ...GBK
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