 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lizzy
Date: 2000-03-20 02:27
I'm thinking of upgrading to a better clarinet... how risky is it to buy one online from www.music123.com? Should I try out an instrument first before buying or should I put my faith in the quality of the top brands?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-03-20 03:11
Always try before you buy. If you can get a few clarinets at a time to try out, returning the ones you don't want, you'll at least feel that you got a reasonable one.
Most if not all the mail order places will let you do this.
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Author: Ron D
Date: 2000-03-20 04:23
I bought a new Buffet E-11 from music 123 in december and was quite pleased with the price and service. I had a problem with a pad coming loose after several hours of playing and a month later the lower joint ring came loose, this was on a new instrument. I called their salesman who I talked with originally ( a woodwind player ) and he offered to have it repaired locally and would give me credit for the expense, or I could send it back for credit, exchange or repair in their shop. I had it repaired here since there are quite a few fine musical repair technicians in the Chicago area where I live.
Since I had not played a Clarinet since I was in high school, over 40 years ago I did not beleive that I could "Audition" a instrument since my skills were almost non existiant at that point.
Having said that, I soon realized the the stock mouthpiece that came with the instrument was less than acceptable and I took a short ride to IMS in Des PLaines and tried out some mouthpieces based on the information posted on this web site. The people at IMS were very helpfull and I tried out about a dozen mouth pieces and setteled on a Vandoren B45 lyre.
So the bottom line is if you are at a skill level that you can tell the difference you should try the instrument first. However if you are a novice like myself and don't have an experianced player to help you conseder the web route and go for a well known brand with a good reputation.
One last thought, I as a novice player have found that the information posted on this site is extremely helpfull and I am impressed by the contribution by some very talented and knowledgable people and the web master Mark C. Thank you all.
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Author: Roger
Date: 2000-03-20 09:51
I bought a Leblanc Infinite by mail order from Tom Ridenour a year ago. I live in Australia, so trying before buying was out of the question; but my faith in Tom Ridenour was well placed because he selected an adjusted a very fine instrument for me at a very competitive price. The pleasure I get playing it is increasing all the time as my ability grows and I get more out of the instrument.
Good luck,
Roger
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-03-22 02:59
My friend bought an E-11 Buffet clarinet from music123 in December and is very happy with it. It sounds beautiful and with its help, and a lot of practicing, he moved up 5 chairs and beat out two 8 year players. ( this is his the end of his first and beginning of his second) Of cousre, he also pratices his butt off and has the perfect embouchure without even thinking!! But all in all he loves what he got and he got it at a good deal, so I think you should be safe.
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