 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-09-07 23:36
I'm working on compiling a list of suggestions for clarinets (and other instruments) that I can keep as a master list for myself and other teachers. I see a lot out there that have very 'questionable' quality and am trying to weed them out.
I'm also looking to slim the list down from the clarinets that have brand names, but a low reputation. I am sure some of the Buffets qualify, but not which ones.
Does anyone have any suggestions for additions/deletions from the list?
If you have an addition/deletion suggestion, why?
Here's what I've got (from Musician's Friend and Woodwind/Brasswind):
Amati ACL 201
Olds Duratone
Amati 211
Amati 311
Forte
Buffet B12
Leblanc L7242
Amati 314
Jupiter 731NT
Buffet E11
Yamaha YCL-250
Jupiter 931 N/S Parisienne
Noblet Model 40K
Yamaha 450-N/A
Buffet E12
Leblanc Infinite
Noblet Model 4K
Noblet Model 45
Yamaha YCL-650
LeBlanc 1020 Sonata
I was looking for the Ridenour clarinets, but can't seem to find prices for them. I have not emailed Tom to ask him yet.
-pat
I really appreciated the help on the mouthpiece list!
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-09-08 00:25
Tom Ridenour has his prices listed on his website, ridenourclarinetoproducts.com
Check it out!
Clayton
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-08 00:34
I can't comment on their quality (I'm still shopping around), but from what I've seen, heard and read so far, one of the Hanson models could appear on your list too. (A friend has a "plastic" Amati, so...)
I recently saw how they advertised a "factory accident" models with visual imperfections, and I'd certainly buy one of their "student" models if only they had a local (.ch) importer...sigh. They appear to be a solid and honest manufacturer with a decent after sales support.
(no affiliations whatsoever, btw)
--
Ben
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-09-08 00:55
Claribone (Clayton),
I looked through Tom's site. I couldn't find any prices listed for his Arioso instruments. I found his bass at Brook Mays, but that was it for clarinets.
-pat
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Author: davedmg
Date: 2005-09-08 02:13
I bought a new (hard rubber) Ridenour Bb Arioso soprano clarinet with two barrels and adjustable thumbrest about a month ago for $800 directly from Tom's website. Tom was willing to take it back if I didn't like it. He doesn't need to worry: the horn is great. -- Dave
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-08 12:14
How do you know if an Arioso is hard rubber or ABS plastic?
Bob Draznik
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Author: rogerb40uk
Date: 2005-09-08 14:05
I am hoping to visit the Hanson factory on Monday (12th Sept), so I will get some further impression of them, although I am not a competent enough clarinetist to say with any conviction how they blow!
Roger
Best regards
Roger
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-09-08 14:25
Hi BobD- I know only a "smattering" of plastic/resins/hard rubber etc mfgr. technology, but identification may be possible via the inst. makers advertising, even if only by the trade terms, there are books on this large subject. With H R being a thermoset and ABS a thermoplast, the heat degradation [decomposition vs melting] of a small sample should be a convincing test method, otherwise brittleness vs flexibility should help. I'm sure others are more knowledgable than I , so Pliz HELP. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-08 15:01
Ebonite (hard rubber) has tell-tale signs - look at the ends of tenons and the base of sockets - they usually have a granular appearance from turning whereas ABS is usually smooth, and the chances are ABS bodies have been injection moulded and then milled.
Plus the fact ebonite has a slight sulphur smell (or rotten eggs) and a slight greenish tinge in sunlight (more noticable on the brushed 'wood grain' finish versions), but don't leave it in sunlight for long as it will turn a funny greenish brown colour as you've probably seen on older mouthpieces where the ligature marks are still dark and the rest has gone green.
ABS instruments will stay black.
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-09-08 17:19
I have a bit of a 'problem' with all the discussions on what clarinet to buy.
I know that money is an issue in many cases, and not everybody has the same money available (I'm not a miljonair myself), but as a clarinet player we are very very very fortunate : a professional quality instrument (and I mean really a very good instrument type RC or R13 in US) cost not 'more' than 2500 EURO (even < 2000 with normal discount)
This is extremely cheap compared to Oboe, Bassoon and a lot of other instruments.
Ofcourse it is possible to spent more (for Prestige, Festival, Tosca and whatever), but even a very good non-pro is perfectly equipped with RC/R13) , so I think this is probably the best investment one can make. If clarinet is really your hobby, go for it.
It's even so that low entry wooden Buffet's sell for less than € 1200 with a nice quality.
Considering a usage of 20 even 25 year of extreme fun, I can't think of any better investment.
It's only a personal opinion, an I'm a lucky guy playing on RC-alikes ever since I was 10 year old, but as I said : my clarinets are my best investements ever. (less then 100 €/year !! for perfect quality)
Peter
Post Edited (2005-09-08 17:26)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-08 19:12
>>>>
I know that money is an issue in many cases, (...) a professional quality instrument (...) cost not 'more' than 2500 EURO
<<<<
That may be the case. Not everyone can easily shell out one or a half month's salary for either the own hobby or the kids' musical education. ("Sorry folks, no vacation this year, I bought myself this clarinet")
One shouldn't judge people by their clarinets. One might judge them by their play or at least their diligence.
My two cents...
--
Ben
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-09-08 19:19
And let's not forget that many clarinetists (out of choice, or necessity, or both) are doublers/triplers/quadruplers and more. When one must own three or four or five sizes of clarinet, a few sizes of saxophone, and maybe throw in a flute and a double-reed instrument or two, all of a sudden it isn't so easy to justify throwing down a couple of thousand dollars or euros for a shiny new R-13 (or whatever).
So, pointing out that 'we should feel lucky because our precious Buffets are still cheaper than Haynes flutes, Heckel bassoons and Stradivarius violins' is of little relevance and even less comfort to those of us trying to make some money playing music........
:)
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-09-08 19:34
Maybe I see things a bit too much the 'Belgian way', and indeed it was a bit of a provocation, but ...
Probably things are different everywhere.
Here we simply don't have that many 'doublers' or 'triplers'.
Also, in the band I play in, we (and this definetely involves me in person) organise every year a lot of activities - organising restaurant day, concerts all kinds of fund rainsing etc. -- to make some money to buy instruments for our members.
Those who can affort, buy there own, those who can't, we'll help out.
It seems a totaly different world.
Whatever hobby/profession you have here, things are the way I described, music isn't that expensive here compared to other activities.
Yearly fee in our orchestra : € 0, (reeds, instruments = FREE). Of course we have some crazy people doing all the work year in/year out to make the money to continue, and we try (sometimes succesfully/sometimes not) to have every member doing his/her part.
But : if a bassoon player wants a new instrument !!! big effort, for a clarinet player we buy RC by default !.
Our local music school offers free instruments for 1 or 2 years to get started ...
Maybe after all we shouldn't complain too much about the huge taxes we're paying :-)
Peter
Post Edited (2005-09-08 19:42)
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-09-08 22:03
Pat
Sorry for the confusion, I had e-mailed Tom so thats why I thought they were on his website. I inquired about the price of the Bb clarinet with platinum keys, and he said something around $900... I'm not sure if that was with his "student/educator discount". If you have any questions concerning the Arioso line of clarinets, there is a link on the website to e-mail Tom directly. He was VERY nice and VERY polite, and answered my questions in detail. Again, sorry for the confusion!!
Clayton
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Author: Gardini
Date: 2005-09-08 22:27
We are skipping the vacation in Hawaii this winter and I got myself a really nice Bass clarinet. If our ski area doesn't have snow this X-mas I may be in trouble with the family. I'll still have the clarinet though.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-09-09 02:32
Peter, I think your "Belgian way" sounds like a good way indeed --- and it does seem very different than the way things are in this country (where very, very few players, proportionately, can make any kind of living playing strictly classical music -- or for that matter, play in public for substantial audiences even for free).
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-09-09 03:06
Thanks for info, Clayton. I might've gone nuts searching for the elusive price link!
-pat
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-09-09 12:37
David,
also here only a relative small amount of musicians can survice on 'playing' music.
Most 'masters in music' end up teaching in public music schools and if they are any good, every no and then they can free lance a bit in small ensembles or as a replacer in one of the 3 symphonic orchestra's we have.
The situation I describe is for an amateur wind band, we all are non-pro's and play a few concerts per year. The rest of the time we are rehearsing and trying to make some money for the band by e.g. having a '2 day restaurant' or christmas collection or whatever.
Some of us - as myself - play in several of these bands (or other combinations I'm in 2 wind bands, 1 wind quintet, and occasionaly play bass-cl. in amateur symphony orchestra).
The bass and A clarinet are mine, the Bb (RC) is on loan from one of the windbands because my older (Continentale) has had its best times.
This windband owns several instruments (> 35 + full percussion), a collection we managed to acquired over the last 15 year, by extra musical actions. It keeps us busy all year round !!
But it's a great hobby
Peter
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