 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: k9gsd
Date: 2005-11-25 19:32
I played the clarinet for about 12 years before selling my intermediate Yamaha 34 when I needed some money. I regret selling my instrument and now it has been almost 3 years since I've played. I am looking to get a used clarinet to replace the one I sold.
I defintely want a wood clarinet. I will only be playing casually for myself, my family and the church, so I need nothing spectacular. I have been thinking of either getting another yamaha, or perhaps trying a buffet e11. I have never played any other brands, so I don't really know what the quality is on them.
What does everyone think of the different brands for intermediate instruments?
...Kelley
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-11-25 19:45
Both are excellent. Try them out first if you can as you might favor one over the other.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-25 19:54
I tried a Yamaha 450 this morning while selecting mouthpieces, and like the way Yamaha have got them to play slightly flatter in the lower register compared to the upper, whereas my Selmers are sharp in the low register.
And there was a gorgeous Yamaha 875 tenor sax in black lacquer shouting 'BUY ME!'
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Author: clrnt_squeak
Date: 2005-11-25 20:49
The E11 is a wonderful clarinet. It has served me well for about a year now. The tonal quality is great and it has great response.
I would definitely suggest to try both at the same time and just choose one that sounds better and is easier for you to play. The E11 works really great for me, but that's just me.
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Author: k9gsd
Date: 2005-11-26 03:58
Thank you for the replies. I enjoyed playing the Yamaha 34. My main complaint with it was that it felt like I had to work too hard to play, especially in the upper register. I was using a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, so it might have been the mouthpiece. I am hesitant to get another 34 for this reason.
I will have to go try a bunch of different models. If anyone has any other opinions to add (especially if there is a different mouthpiece that seems to work better with the Yamaha vs Buffet or vice versa), feel free to add!
...Kelley
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-11-26 16:51
If you don't think the price is too insanely high for your purposes, there are many who would highly recommend the Buffet R-13 and its variations; there are also those who would be very much against recommending it. Point in case: find your price range and try'em all! Actually, try things out of your price range, too. The more you try, the better you'll be at picking them out.
The mouthpiece thing might also be an issue. The first solution that comes to my mind when wondering how to choose a new clarinet and probably a new mouthpiece at the same time is to look into Muncy Winds or a similar company. They can put together an entire clarinet for you, within your price range, from mouthpiece to bell, based on information you give them about your previous playing experiences. Of course they're not always perfectly accurate about what's best for whom, but it's a good starting place.
Good luck.
-Tyler
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-11-26 20:00
I agree with Tyler: try out some alternate mouthpieces. I spent years hating the responsiveness of my Buffet R16-1/2; then I found a mouthpiece that freed everything up. (A Mitchell-Lurie M3)
Then, I found a mpc that makes it sound better (Vandoren M30).
I was even to the point where I was preparing to buy a new horn by trying to play without using the LH Eb and the articulated G# keys.
Bob Phillips
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-26 21:03
And if you're not against it, look at used instruments. of the four clarinets that I have now, all of them were purchased used. And they were ALL great buys.
ESPECIALLY when you consider what I paid for them.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-11-26 21:57
OOPS! I posted this reply in the wrong thread.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-11-26 21:58)
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Author: k9gsd
Date: 2005-11-26 22:12
Ok..... I went to a local music dealer (the ONLY one in the area that had any wood clarinets) and tried out a used Buffet E11. I must say that I didn't care for it very much. It may have been that particular clarinet or perhaps the mouthpiece (I tried it out with a Vandoren 5RV), but it was very resistant and did not blow free. The sound was nice though.
That was the only used model worth looking at (and it wasn't in the best shape). Get this... they were asking $895! He brought it down to $599 when he realized I wasn't a complete idiot. Even at that price I would never have bought it, but it was a chance to play one.
Then I got really silly and played an R13, a Yamaha Custom SEV, and a Yamaha 650. I would have taken any of them if I had the money. They played so effortlessly. Well... I am still looking, but at least I got to play some different models.
I am not against a used clarinet at all, as long as it was cared for. All of the ones in this store were not in very good shape and they were asking a small fortune for them. If you know of anyone that carries quality used clarinets, I would be interested in hearing about them.
...Kelley
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Author: clrnt_squeak
Date: 2005-11-26 22:22
$895 for a USED E11? That's absolutely insane!
It must have been that E11; it could possibly be that it was used. I would try a NEW E11 and try more than one. My E11 (the second one I tried) was perfect for me and it was extremely free-blowing, which E11's are known for. I would try a new one, especially since they aren't expensive new.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-27 00:32
Kelley,
Aside from the sponsors to the right of the board ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) , woodwind & brasswind has a used outlet, and categorizes instruments into three used qualites. A, B, and C stock. Not great prices (unless you're looking at a B or C stock they seem fairly resonable), but you DO get the ability to return them (less some sort of restocking fee I'm sure) if you're not satisfied. I know another clarinet player who bought two Buffet R13's off of there and I've had the ability to play them both and they're not too bad. But not great. I wouldn't have bought them, but they DO offer a return policy.
I myself have bought a few clarinets and other items off of the classifieds ads link that you see on the right of the screen. I tried to be cautious and for the most part used some sort of online payment so there would be a hard-copy record of payment and optional insurance I could buy if I wanted. But I've had all success stories.
If you don't mind getting a bit of an older clarinet, or one that's refurbished, I've dealt with David Spiegelthal (whom I met through this board, and you can look up reviews of his work/instruments) and he does very good quality work (and I'm not sure, but it seems to me that he often deals with older instruments that need a good overhaul). The clarinets may not always be the "mainstream" models you know, but the one that I've gotten from him sounds VERY good for it's price (it was very cheap, and not a professional model, but would without a doubt outplay any other A clarinet for that price), and I had him repad another instrument of mine and he did a phenominal job. Also, you can look up his name on this board and see what others thought.
You can always check out the other sponsors of this board, some of which might have consignment clarinets.
As for Ebay (not posting a link!), I've heard mixed stories about seller CPAOK, but this person has a very high rating in Ebay, and always has some sort of clarinet-related items up on there. And every now and then has an instrument which sounds like a pretty good bargain (about a year back I was VERY close to buying a restored Buffet R13A clarinet for around 1400, and you'll generally see a lot of professional restored models there . . . usually of the big four). You can search this board or maybe the Klarinet-list archives for that name and hopefully get an idea of how others felt about their dealings with him/her. I haven't purchased or dealt with this person personally though. Although I DO have him/her listed as a "favorite seller" so I get emails every week or so with that person's "choice picks" and check out what they have for sale every now and then.
That's all I know/have dealt with.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-11-27 21:53
I would caution anyone with buying on ebay, especially if it's your main instrument. I have an alto clarinet that certianly was not as good as described, and never heard back from he seller after the auction. That is just my personal experience but its certainly better to try things first. If you can find a good condition used selmer 9 or 10 series instrument they are often in the price range of a new E11. I like Selmers much more than Buffets, nicer tone, better intonationfor me, and it seems like a real buyers market on used Selmers. I got an overhauled 10G in almost perfect shape for about $1000.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-11-27 22:14
>$895 for a USED E11? That's absolutely insane!
local music stores start beginners on used e11's, on a rent to own plan, with price tags of about $1200-1400.
they're not even that well maintained - leaky pads, missing key cork, etc. on them, fresh from the music stores.
you pay about $35-$40 per month, for 2.5 to 3 years, then its yours.
such a deal.
crooks, the lot of them.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
Post Edited (2005-11-27 22:17)
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2005-11-29 00:28
Whether you are going to buy online or not definitely check out Woodwind and Brasswind http://www.wwbw.com. This will help you establish the price at least.
Also, check eBay to see how much used instruments are going for. I understand if you don't want to buy there or are apprehensive about it but get the numbers.
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Author: Scotti
Date: 2005-11-29 03:14
All these responses are good, in terms of trying as much as you can. Honestly, don't shy away from Yamaha just because it's what you've been playing on and doesn't get the credit Buffet does. The E11 is very good, but I have yet to see a mid-level instrument as good as those made by Yamaha.
You'll save a lot buying from a catalog like Woodwind and Brasswind, International Music Suppliers, Muncy Winds, or Weiner Music unless you live near one of the really great local stores (there aren't many).
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