 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-01-11 20:14
I'd be interested in hearing of any experience - good or bad - with a $369 (US) A Clarinet branded "Woodwind" and sold by WoodwindBrasswind
(http://wwbw.com/Woodwind-A-Clarinet-i99310.music)
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-11 21:27
If it plays as well as the reviews say it does, then you can't go wrong. It's about time a student model A was made - the only affordable plastic A clarinets I've seen are the old B&H Edgwares.
While I was looking on WWBW I looked up the price of basset horns - interesting as they list the Buffet as the most expensive, the Leblanc and Selmer are both a lot cheaper whereas in the UK the Buffet is the least expensive of the three major makes - Selmer being the most expensive here.
I'm almost tempted to order a Selmer basset horn from them at that price!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-11 21:29
The WW/BW "house brand" of instruments are made by Blessing...GBK
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-01-11 22:20
And "Blessing" makes them........where? China? The Czech Republic? (I've heard both mentioned).
One never can tell these days. I have a recent (5-year-old) soprano sax labelled "Kohlert", which of course has nothing to do with the old Bohemian/Czechoslovakian/German Kohlert family company -- this sax is yet another Selmer SA80 exact copy (externally) -- I had assumed it was made in China, but found out on the SaxOnTheWeb forum that it was actually made in Vietnam! Go figure...
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-12 07:40
Could be made anywhere now, I'd like to see one up close. I'll go with the assumption it could be Taiwanese - possibly from Jupiter (the company, not the planet), but that's a guess.
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-01-12 16:49
GBK - Does the fact that Blessing makes the Woodwind brand say anything - good or bad - about quality and workmanship?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-12 17:00
It depends where they source them from - I've seen Blessing trumpets made by Olds (I think) which were good, Blessing flutes made by Selmer (USA) which were so-so, and Blessing oboes made by Lark - 'nuff said.
It's like that with all companies - B&H have sourced instruments from all places, even branding Taiwanese flutes with Rudall Carte!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-01-12 17:03)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-01-12 17:07
GBK says that "Woodwind" brand instruments are made by Blessing.
Chris P says that he has seen Blessing instruments that were actually made by various other companies.
So does Blessing actually make any instruments in factories of its own?
And is it really meaningful to ask whether the "Woodwind" A clarinet is any good? May it actually be the case that various different companies have manufactured these instruments, and quality - or even design - may vary a lot from one batch to the next?
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-12 18:34
Bennett wrote:
> GBK - Does the fact that Blessing makes the Woodwind
> brand say anything - good or bad - about quality and workmanship?
I once called WW/BW to find out the origin of their house brand instruments,
and to get the question answered directly.
The WW/BW brand of clarinets and saxophones are both of Taiwanese origin (the woodwind retail rep on the phone did not know the exact Taiwanese company).
After a bit of persistance on my part, (and reluctance on hers), the rep admitted that the WW/BW instruments are made by Blessing. I assume that it is not supposed to be public information.
ALL WW/BW instruments come with a 1 year manufacturer's warranty.
The rep was courteous, and very accomodating. I thanked her for her honesty.
I have not personally played a Blessing clarinet, but have tried both a Blessing trumpet and Blessing flute. I would prefer students to spend a bit more money and get a higher quality instrument...GBK
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-01-12 20:37
Thanks for your research on Woodwind-Blessing. I've not been able to find any A clarinets between the $369 (US) Woodwind and the $1200+ Buffet E11.
Have I overlooked something?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-12 20:50
While looking at Blessing's site to try to find out more (the pictures aren't giving much away) I thought I'd have a look at Olds/Reynolds site - and their clarinets are made by at least three different companies.
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-01-12 20:54
I'm getting very, very tempted to buy one and try some of my various and sundry mouthpieces/barrels/bells with it and see if it can, in fact, become a serviceable and acceptable A clarinet for the financially-challenged but musically-inclined...if I do so, I shall post a review as soon as I get it. If this is or can be made to be a decent instrument, I think it will be a boon to community orchestras/casual musicians/serious high school students everywhere, eh?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-12 20:56
Bennett wrote:
> I've not been able to find any A clarinets between
> the $369 (US) Woodwind and the $1200+ Buffet E11.
> Have I overlooked something?
Amati ACL 371-0 lists for $1500, sells for about $750
Amati ACL 675-II lists for $1350, sells for about $975
...GBK
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2006-01-12 21:12
It would be interesting to know what the major wind manufacterers were in Taiwan. For example, is there a company in Taiwan called "Jupiter" or called "Antigua"? (These two names come to mind only because I have heard it suggested at different times that either or both are original manufacturers.) Or is it some other Chinese named company that makes instruments for these and other distributors?
I understand that it may be impossible to actually learn all the details of the business at this level. It may be too secret, or too changable. But it would answer so many of our questions.
(It would be similarly interesting to know this of China, India, Viet Nam, etc., etc.; I mention Taiwan because the industry there seems pretty mature.)
Wayne Thompson
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-01-13 09:58
Wayne: there is certainly a Taiwanese company called Jupiter. They sell instruments under their own brand name. They make various student-level instruments priced below the competition and of acceptable quality. I think the consensus is that if you want an entry-level clarinet/trumpet/trombone/whatever it is still better to pay a bit more and get the Yamaha, but the Jupiter instruments are by no means junk.
Jupiter also make some more expensive instruments - I think if you do a search here you will find some discussion of their wooden clarinets.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-13 10:08
Not only that, Jupiter also make parts for other major companies - flute bodies, key pieces, trumpet bells, etc. - they have the facilities so it's a case of having them make the parts to the specification required by the company contracting work out to them.
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