 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: anneh
Date: 2006-12-20 05:03
Hello Everyone--I am here in London with my family, and I have got a great yearning to purchase a new clarinet.
We happen to be staying about two blocks from Howarth's. I am completely ignorant to the pros and cons of purchasing an instrument outside of the US (I live in California)--the prospect of selecting a clarinet from Eaton or Howarth's is very attractive to me, but I don't know if it is more or less expensive for me to purchase here rather than home.
Any insights on this?
Thank you!
Anne
Anne
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-20 05:41
Try to find out what the prices are for clarinets in your area (online maybe?) and then ask the prices in the UK. London is most likely more expensive (and probably the most expensive place in England) but you probably can get the VAT back at the airport (Americans get it back right?), so it might be cheaper.
The only con is that if there is a problem with the clarinet that you have to return it or send it for repair (under warrenty) you have to ship internationally (more expensive). I can tell you I bought almost all my clarinets in other countries and never had real problems.
If they have a big stock and you really find a clarinet that you like I think it is worth it.
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2006-12-20 07:59
(Posted the same message twice. Computer obviously had too much Christmas cheer!)
Post Edited (2006-12-20 08:00)
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Author: graham
Date: 2006-12-20 09:35
Mike; did you mean what you said about exchange rates? Weak dollar against Sterling surely means that the effective price in the UK is higher to a US salary earner. Of course that effect may be negligible with respect to British manufactured instruments.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-20 10:03
At the moment I wouldn't advise US buyers to buy in the UK due to the strong £, but if you do get a favourable price and the VAT is taken off then it could work out, but with the exchange rate I don't think it's likely - good for us living here if the Euro weakens (if buying EU instruments), but I'm not sure how the Euro is against the Dollar.
If anything, I've found London prices (for woodwinds) to be very competitive with all the big named UK outlets compared to local shops.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2006-12-20 11:33
I was thinking about past posts from the US complaining about the price of Buffets skyrocketing. I guess that this is a $/Euro issue rather than $/£ issue. I was also thinking about a £ earner buying from the US rather than the other way round. Apologies for being misleading.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-20 12:00
But with Howarth and Eaton made clarinets, the price here would be the same as they would cost in the US due to the current exchange rate - I know Howarth export their own instruments at the £ rate as it would be uneconomical to sell at the $ rate as they'd make a loss on every instrument sold in the US - this happened to British Leyland in the '70s with their exports when the $ was strong against the £ and cost the company dearly.
But there's no harm in trying out several clarinets while you're here!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bawa
Date: 2006-12-20 16:15
Some friends had given me good reports about John Myatt WW & Brass, but the shop is in Hertfordshire (Hitchin). I know they have a good online price list and sell Howarth (if you want to compare).
The Euro is also strong against the dollar. So it is good to buy US goods (priced in dollars) at the moment.
Disclaimer: never personally visited or have anything to do with the firm.
Post Edited (2006-12-20 16:19)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-20 16:50
I've bought stuff from Dawkes (Windcraft), Myatt and Howarth, so I'm not biased or nuffin'.
If it's on sale, why not? I got a brand new Yamaha Custom single case and cover for my placcy Yamaha clarinet that was on offer from Myatt for around £75, so look in all their bargain bins for goodies.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-20 17:46
I checked Howarth website, and it looks like the prices (without VAT) for most clarinets (definitely for Buffets) is less than the price I see on most American websites. Myatt is slightly less than Howarth even. So if you get the VAT back you might be able to save a few hundred dollars (or close to $2,000 on a low C bass!).
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-20 18:13
If you're in the neighborhood, why not just stop in and play a few and then decide. You might get a better than advertised price, but you would get one that you had hand-selected. If there are adjustments to be made, you could get them done right there.
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Author: anneh
Date: 2006-12-21 00:02
Thanks all for your messages--I couldn't quite make it out to Eaton's--only had one day before he closed for the holidays, and I couldn't quite convince my whiny husband and almost as whiny 11 year old that Mom needed a day away to do clarinet stuff during our big trip.
I tried out several at Howarth's, including a used Eaton. The others I tried--a Prestige, Yamaha Custom and a Howarth seemed to not be that much different from my present old faithful R13, although I loved the left hand Eb thingy on the Howarth.
I LOVED the tone on the Eaton. I am an aggressive player, and it could handle much more air than my Buffet or the others in the room. However, upon playing with a tuner, the Eaton was about 15 cents flat throughout--I was using my mouthpieces (a fobes and a vandoren 5RV lyre) and the intonation was the same. The shop did not have an Eaton mp to try with the horn.
A gentlemen who works there (older man, obviously a technician of some kind) said they could cut a bit off of the barrel. This seems like a simple fix, but I am leery of doing something so violent to such a great instrument.
Mike P, was that you?
Further thoughts appreciated! Should I go for the tantalizing used Eaton?
I will be back in London in February, but I really loved the tone on this horn.
Anne
Anne
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2006-12-21 00:23
Whether or not you purchase from Howarth's, it's a place where you can try many different makes (marques) of clarinets in comfort; also deal with some of the nicest people I've ever met, from Nigel Clark, the manager, all the way down! Also be sure to visit their double-reed store, a couple of doors down the street, and browse their incredible selection of woodwind chamber music.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-12-21 06:15
Hi Anne
I play an Eaton International model Bb clarinet. I noticed the Eaton mouthpiece plays slightly sharper than most. Most other mouthpieces play just a bit too flat with my Eaton, but the Eaton mouthpiece have very good intonation with it. If the Eaton model you tried was the Elite model (large bore) then I understand you must have an Eaton (or other?) large bore mouthpiece for it.
If you don't have an Eaton (or other high pitch) mouthpiece to try it with I would suggest not to buy it. When you are back in London you might be able to go and try several Eaton clarinets in his shop, and maybe many mouthpieces. You are most likely to find just as good if not a better instrument. But you have to try not to remember this one as the holy grail and confuse yourself into thinking everything else is worse just because of the memory.
After I said that, I can tell you that I bought mine when it was the only one they had at the store, and after trying it for not very long at all. I liked the sound too much.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-21 08:36
Hi Anne, that was John Steward you most likely met (I work in their factory down in Worthing) and he suggested that I shorten my mouthpiece rather than the barrel (M15 '13' series), which to me is a better idea than shortening an old Selmer barrel which I'd have a lot more trouble replacing - I can always get a new Vandoren mouthpiece, whereas Series 9 barrels at 67mm are hard to come by.
You can have your own mouthpiece (or a new 5RV Lyre to keep your own one for your other clarinets) shortened at the tenon and shoulder, and the bore opened up to a 1010/Elite bore so they work with the Eaton Elites (or a B&H 1010).
The Eaton mouthpiece has a very wide tip opening of 1.26mm, so I don't know how you'd get on with one of these (I also prefer close tip openings).
I found my Vandoren A1 crystal works well with B&H 1010 and Peter Eaton Elites as it's shorter than most mouthpieces and has a large bore - maybe the Pomarico Ruby is similar, but I haven't been able to compare.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2006-12-21 12:33
You will never again have such a grand opportunity to bring home a memorable, musical souvenir!
I would (personally) choose one of the Howarth instruments, with the alternate Eb keys. One of the local hotshot kids plays this, and it was nearly perfect for tuning - as delivered.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-12-21 20:44
Does anyone have any links to websites in the USA / UK that sell the same models?
This thread is interesting. I always assumed that prices in the UK were about twice the USA prices - certainly for mouthpieces and accessories.
Have prices fallen?
Steve
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Author: anneh
Date: 2006-12-21 23:20
Hi everyone--
Chris--indeed that it was John Steward who I met.
I've decided to hold off on purchasing anything right now--I don't want to hurry the decision. I've waited 27 years for a new clarinet, I can wait until February. I have a solo spot I'm doing in April, so if I come back to London in then I can go to Eaton and find the Holy Grail from the master's feet, so to speak!
I just don't have enough time right now, coupled with some bodacious jet lag (7th trip to Europe--never had it like this before)--it wouldn't be wise, I think, to make such a big and important purchase.
On Monday I go over to Paris and may try to find some shops with Leblancs/Buffets to try. Unfortunately, the factories are closed for the week.
Thanks everyone for your insightful postings.
Anne H.
Anne
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