 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: mom22galz
Date: 2005-11-10 17:18
Hello All!
First off, I want to thank all the folks at this site for the wonderful info provided. I've done my research and have a pretty decent idea of what to get for my daughter.
I'm looking at used Vitos, Bundys and other Selmer and LeBlanc plastic models. New isn't in the budget at this point, but her school has CSOs and nothing squashes a budding musician faster than learning on something a pro couldn't even play int tune :-O
I need to get an opinion on one thing:
- I know a retired music teacher who reconditions and sells clarinets. He's offered to scout some decent student models for me with the end-result being a playable instrument not in need of anything when she opens it up on xmas.
- I also see a bunch of used ones on eBay selling for much less $$. I have read the other posts and know the risks of auction sites. What I want to an opinion on is buying off ebay from someone with good claims about the condition. Many sellers claim it plays as is but could use new pads, or it's in good condition but needs a tune up.
For example, there's a Claritone w/a Vandoren B45 mp with a buy it now of $60... "looks good, but not tested" and a Resotone3 ending soon with a $20 bid where the seller is willing to do a 100% refund (less shipping) if not satisfied.
In YHOs, what's my best bet? The teacher would still have to ship it to me, and I have a good repair shop in my city...
Many thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2005-11-10 18:14
Hi, Mom22:
You've come to the right place because, if nothing else, you can find Lots and Lots of Opinions here 
Allow me to toss one or two in your direction...
I, too, am retired and do pretty much what your retired teacher friend does. Vitos and Bundys that are in good condition are fine student instruments. Technicians like 'em because they're well constructed and strudy. I strongly recommend that you let him find and recondition an instrument for you. His responsibility is to eliminate the "risk factor" for you. The clarinet will be cleaned, polished and ready to play the moment your daughter receives it. You can also run it back should it need follow-up adjustment.
If you go with the "online auction" yourself, you assume all the risks that go with that. Most sellers are not being at all deceptive, they just don't really *know* whether the musical instrument they're selling is any good or not. Your friend, we assume, does and you should feel comfortable relying on his expertise.
An additional benefit of doing business locally (to you) is that your repairer is near you, known to you. He probably has a teacherly personal interest in encouraging young players by putting decent instruments in their hands. He'll likely charge way less than the local 'big stores', too, since his overhead is many times lower than theirs.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JamesE
Date: 2005-11-10 18:39
Hello, Mom22
Good advice above. I have had, probably, exceptional good luck in purchasing from the auction site. If you go that route, however, I can think of two things to keep in mind:
1) Stay with instruments such as the Vito or Selmer or the student Buffet. I have purchased both a very good Vito and a Buffet E-12, and have had little problems with them.
2) Figure into your overall cost a trip for the new purchase to your local tech for a bit of a "tune up" to get the instrument into top playing condition.
Good luck with your search.
Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mom22galz
Date: 2005-11-10 20:20
Thanks for the input :-} Guess I'll find out how much a std tune up will cost at the local shop. That way I'll better be able to assess the most economical route which unfortunately is an issue at the moment.
Even if I get it though the teacher, I'll still incur shipping as we don't live near enough for a p/u. It just gives me a comfort level, knowing that he'll provide a nice working clarinet with an eye to the budding young artist. Much as they are discussed on this forum, I don't want to end up with a lamp base!
And Jim, thanks for letting me know that you've been satisfied w/your own online purchases.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2005-11-10 20:21
For a sure thing by Christmas, the known quantity offerred by the teacher is probably the better choice.
You may get lucky on an auction site, but odds are you will still end up with over a hundred dollars in a "working" instrument. (pads, tune up, shipping, etc.) IF you are unlucky you might get a real dog, or worse yet get ripped off.
The reason they are cheaper on the auction sites is that you are bidding on an unknown quantity.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2005-11-11 02:22
you'll need reeds, a swab, reed guard, good mouthpiece, ligaure, metronome, etc., so plan on more than whatever you pay on the auction site.
some of the cases from ebay horns are trashed - so you need a new case.
i buy ebay horns - spend my summers rebuilding them - some of those ebay horns are fine, some i get i need to strip and repad - you never really know what you're going to get, regardless of the item description or the sellers feedback. you never know what will show up at your door.
getting one from the teacher is probably best. that being said, one local pro sells used horns - supposedly 'fixed up' - and i spend a lot of time fixing them for the students- pads, cork, springs, etc. but if you trust your freind knows what hes doing, thats most likely your best bet.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: marcia
Date: 2005-11-11 05:45
I have purchased three instruments from Ebay. Two were brand new and I had no problem with either of them. The third was very second hand. The claim was it had been reconditioned by a superb craftsman. When I got it, it was sooooo bad it was almost unplayable. I had to spend considerable money, and Morrie spent considerable time, resurrecting it. I spoke on the phone to the person I had purchaesd it from and he said he knew nothing about instruments and had to rely on what the repair person had told him. I would hesitate to purchase second hand from ebay after that experience.
Marcia
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-11 21:36
> The claim was it had been reconditioned by a superb craftsman. When I got
> it, it was sooooo bad it was almost unplayable.
Hmm. Must be the same craftsperson who did the pads on mine (well, it was only 29.99$, so I expected some room for improvement). Phoeey, there was glue residue even on the outside of the cups!
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
