 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gbarton1955
Date: 2006-11-16 22:17
Who makes the best professional model clarinets and what can I expect to pay?
Gre
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-11-16 22:38
Read the current thread entitled "Leblanc Rapsodie" to start - much discussion of and prices for some Leblanc pro level models. Use the Search function (in the heading of these threads) to find discussions of Buffet and Selmer Paris clarinets. Then try some key words like "professional clarinet" or "clarinet prices". Many of the threads which you will find that compare various brands such as Buffet, Leblanc, and Selmer will also bring into the discussion info on some of the smaller pro horn makers as well.
I guarantee you, this BB and its archive contain a lot of info on quality clarinets, their prices, and the pros/cons of each, as such discussions are always taking place here. Enjoy your search.
Eu
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-17 14:47
Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to stick to the big four: Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer and Yamaha for pro-level clarinets. I'll put up a few prices I've found for new ones. Keep in mind you can almost always find a good price on a used professional model--unless it's only just now on the market like the Leblanc/Backun clarinets. None of those for sale used yet.
Suggestions (my personal choices)
Leblanc: from $1,800.00 for the new Cadenza to $5,500.00 for the newest Backun Legacy--in the middle would be the Concerto II and the Opus II at from 2,700-3,500.00 at discount instrument stores such as woodwind and brasswind or muncy winds.
Buffet: R-13 runs around 2,400 for a nickel plated model to the higher range for some of the more expensive models. The Prestige will cost you about like the Opus II.
I'll let others mention what they may know about the Yamahas and Selmers. I haven't bought one of those in a while.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-11-17 15:09
Do Buffet still offer the R13 in nickel plate?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-11-17 16:49
As far as I know there are still new nickel plated R-13s for sale. You might check with Walter Grabner (a board sponsor) and see what he has in stock.
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Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-11-17 17:03
Buffet now has a "minimum sales price" below which dealers are not allowed to go- it levels the playing field. A Google search will illustrate this.
Some dealers offer to hand pick you an instrument based on your requirements- for the same price as a big box store that sends you whatever happens to be on the shelf. Some will send you a couple of horns from which to choose...
www.johnmcgann.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-11-17 17:06
Don't forget the usefulness of a used professional clarinet. Same playing ability, less $$$.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-11-17 17:18
sfalexi makes a good point there - were it not for the many good quality clarinets on the used market, I would be playing one of those ToysRUs colored keys clarinets. Some of those folks who buy a new Legacy will have a nice R13, Rapsodie, etc for sale. Eu
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-11-17 17:21
If you have the chance to try out some old Selmers, then the 'Balanced Tone, '55', 'Centered Tone' and 'Series 9' clarinets are definitely worth it, provided they are in good structural and mechanical condition (and have the original 67mm barrel) they're well worth having fully overhauled, and you'll have a clarinet that plays effortlessly up in the stratosphere and with a great depth of tone colour in the bottom register too.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-11-17 21:27
gbarton - just one simple piece of advice...
We know nothing about you and what you really want/need. Your question suggests you know nothing about clarinets. If you are a beginner, it is very questionable whether you should be buying a pro instrument. Buy a good quality beginner instrument, learn to play it, then choose a pro instrument that suits you. There is no best pro instrument - if there were, all the other makes would go out of business.
But maybe you are looking to buy a better instrument as a Christmas surprise for your child.
Don't. Take him/her to the store to choose one.
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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: Pam H.
Date: 2006-11-18 00:36
I agree with David Peacham.
If you are a beginner player, you don't really need a top of the line instrument from the get-go. An beginner to intermediate model of one of the better brands will keep you busy for years and cost less. More money left for accessories and a good teacher!
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Author: sherman
Date: 2006-11-18 17:27
The question as to clarinet and price are easy for me, however the descriptive "professional" as applied to clarinet is somewhat more complex.
As a professional clarinetist for many years, let me say my most important criterion would be tuning. How well do the 12ths tune? How about the open g, the low E, the high e and f, all of which is under "tuning"
Response is certainly as important as tuning and it means how an instrument responds to your embouchure, mouthpiece and how you have learned to play over a long period of time. It includes control as well, and also dynamics.
Material is important. Will the material stand the rigors of daily playing, practice and performance and of course, the changes in temperature and humidity.
While there are certainly other criteria, these are certainly important, if the clarinet is to be called "professional".
Using all of the above, one usually comes up with a feeling of comfort, for which there are many descriptive words in several languages, however comfort means to me, "Is this a happy and comfortable clarinet, upon which I can depend? Is it pleasurable to play?
These are how I considerthe qualities of a professional instrument.
So, my considered answer to your question is the Lyrique clarinet, designed and sold by William Ridenour It is simply the most perfect clarinet I have played and satisfies all of my questions concerning professional
The cost is around a thousand dollars.
Sherman Friedland.
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Author: KellyA
Date: 2006-11-21 19:27
I would agree with Sherman on the tuning issue. This is what I look for in purchasing a new clarinet. A certain model may "sound" great, but may have bore issues that make it flat/sharp in certain ranges. Take the tuner with and try different models here and there till you find one you really like. For materials, I really like the buffet greenline clarinets which are a blend of wood and carbon fiber. I've tried many r13's in both wood and greenline and found there is a bigger variance in sound between the wood models, and a more consistent sound in the greenlines. The greenlines are priced the same as the wood models.
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Author: gbarton1955
Date: 2006-11-22 15:25
Sorry everyone for not responding your your replies. Been swamped work this short week. I will give you my thoughts next week and perhaps more questions. Thanks for the help!
Greg
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