 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Traci
Date: 2000-03-10 18:45
I saw an instrument on Ebay that I really wanted. The pictures looked great and the guy who was selling it was really nice, but my private teacher told me I should do some more research on the instrument before I should take the plunge. So my question is; How do I go about researching a clarinet? I saw a number of resources on this site, but where do I begin? I have a serial number for the clarinet also.
Thanks,
Trac
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-10 19:37
Traci - The easyist, for you, is to just ask the BBoard "posters" for their opinions. If you will give us the EBAY number and the number of the page it is on, quite a few of us will look at it and respond. The serial number will give only the age, IF the make is one listed under Equipment, How Old is My ---. Many EBAYS are poorly described, faults hidden, and nearly all in my experience requiring substantial T L Care. Be careful, Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-10 20:29
Everything that Don says is true. What is the brand and model by the way? Without that information, the serial number is useless.
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Author: Traci
Date: 2000-03-10 20:45
It is Ebay item #279414667 . It's a Buffet R-13 Eb clarinet. I'm wanting it for when I start college in the fall. Thanks for your help.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-10 21:48
Traci - I found it quickly by searching for Eb Clarinet. It LOOKS very good, with a plentiful supply of #4 Rico and VanDoren reeds. I know little re: Buffet, nothing re; their Eb, so let's hope others do. It will prob. be quite expensive, @ $620 now, still with a reserve and 8 days to go, again, others may be able to help about value. Luck, Don
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-03-10 22:10
Traci wrote:
-------------------------------
I saw an instrument on Ebay that I really wanted. The pictures looked great and the guy who was selling it was really nice, but my private teacher told me I should do some more research on the instrument before I should take the plunge. So my question is; How do I go about researching a clarinet? I saw a number of resources on this site, but where do I begin? I have a serial number for the clarinet also.
Thanks,
Traci
Traci -
It's pretty definitely a Buffet Eb, but the ad doesn't give the serial number. The case doesn't look Buffet-ish.
The seller appears to be a music specialist but not necessarily a dealer in musical instruments. Also, when you go to his site, this is the only clarinet. Therefore, even if he's completely honest, he may not know whether the instrument is a good one. This is the problem with buying on eBay.
Don't expect the price to stay where it is. A new R-13 Eb is just as expensive as a Bb -- maybe even more so -- and the reserve price is likely to be well over $1,000, as will be the bid price at the end of the auction.
The seller is in Washington State. If you are close enough, go and try it. I would not buy an instrument without playing it first, particularly an Eb, since so many of them are badly out of tune.
If you plan to be an Eb specialist, you should wait until you go to college and take lessons from the Eb player in the nearest orchestra, who will also be able to pick out a good one for you. If you simply want to play it in the band, or have an extra chance to get into the wind ensemble, then it may be worth it, but once again if the instrument is out of tune you won't stand a chance.
What does your private teacher think about you specializing in Eb? I would follow the advice of someone who knows your playing.
I played Eb for a year in the University of Tennessee Band and the Knoxville Symphony. It was great fun, but lots of work since the parts are so exposed. When you play Eb, you can't think of yourself as a soloist, as you can if you're the principal Bb player. If you "play out" like a soloist, the conductor will quickly shush you. The tone of the instrument is just too bright to be the main color of the clarinet section. It's like hot red pepper -- there to give a little sparkle, but not the main course.
If you can afford it, an Eb is great to have. I got one, but sold it after a few years because I didn't have much chance to use it, and it's different enough from the Bb that keeping up on the main instrument isn't enough to keep up on the other.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Drew
Date: 2000-03-10 23:41
Just a few thoughts regarding Traci's question:
Purchasing a clarinet without having a chance to play it first is a risky proposition. There are many unknowns, such as condition of the instrument (pads, regulation, tenons, plating, etc.), ability of the seller to assess the condition, etc, etc, etc. I've purchased 4 instruments via eBay, and although I've not been disappointed, it has only been because I've questioned the seller VERY THOROUGHLY before making a serious bid.
I was also seeking an Eb clarinet, and ended up purchasing a new Buffet E11 (on approval) from IMS. Only after my teacher (a retired symphony clarinetist) pronounced the E11 fit for humans did I finalize the purchase.
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Author: Doug P.
Date: 2000-03-11 00:57
The case shown on the eBay site for the Eb clarinet in question is defintely a Buffet case, a style that was used by Boosey & Hawkes during the late 80's. It had a very thin leather-like material on the outside that scuffed very easily and also had a Buffet logo as part of its design. My set of R-13s was purchased during the late 80's and had both a single and double case in the style and color shown.
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