 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Doc
Date: 2000-05-08 23:04
I know all of you are in this buffet, leblanc, selmer, and yamaha, type of deals. I personally respect the buffets and leblancs, love them to bits... unfortunatly can't afford them just yet... But what about the off brands of clarinets. I'm a sax player by nature and know that the vintage bueschers and conns and kings ect. are great... how do these relate to their clarinets? I don't really have access to play any of these inst. so it's purely second hand that I'm getting this info from you people... and wanted to know what your opinion of these off brands was.
Dave
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2000-05-09 11:49
Their clarinets were ok but not up to the standard of the today's big four. If you want to go with an older, discontinued model, look for Penzel-Mueller or Prueffer. These were better instruments overall and both companies were often selected to supply the military bands during their histories.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2000-05-09 15:01
Remember almost all of these "off" brands were student instruments. And they sell for roughly the same price as all the other used student instruments. If someone wants to by an inexpensive but adequate instrument, some looking should produce a Selmer Signet or Leblanc Normandy for very little.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-05-09 15:57
For checking out flea market clarinets, I carry a notebook where I keep information I've downloaded from this site, found in books, and found elsewhere. Otherwise, I'd get confused about which model names are the student models, which are the pro models, etc.. In the equipment section here, there's a very useful section called "Has Anyone Heard Of...?" that gives information about which manufacturers made which models, including a lot of "stencil" brands (the ones that have a store's brand name on them, for instance, but were made by big manufacturers). I've found some "mystery clarinets" even so! There are an awful lot of clarinets out there! I agree with the advice to stick to the major brands, for your primary playing instrument. I think the "off" brands are more interesting as historical artifacts or curiosities, usually. Old models of good instruments, though, can be a great value. I bought my 1937 Buffet used (very used...) and it's the best clarinet I've ever played -- probably not the best clarinet in the known universe, but more than good enough for the likes of me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Donn
Date: 2000-05-09 16:07
I own an old Penzel-Mueller clarinet, so can vouch for its quality. The wear on the keys tells a tale of much use. It was a pro grade instrument, but not up to today's horns IMHO. If you stick to the big four, you will reap the benefits at trade-up time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
I was thinking of possibly upgrading to a Leblanc Pete Fountain model some day