 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2007-04-04 01:38
Tell me about Yamaha. For a best second clarinet to do without worry even for a Starbucks practice with outdoor seating or performing anywhere, would not the best Yamaha among their selection be really good for anybody? Or is the flagship model of a Leblanc USA the best? My four year old Vito V40 (discontinued) is really good when you need to pull out or shorten the barrel for tuning because its mainly cylindrical bore maintains the intonation better.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-04-04 04:01
I cant comment on Yamaha plastic clarinets, but I have a 35 year old Yamaha wood model. Its built like a M1 tank, indestructible. Good sound, good intonation, survived 8 years of marching band (rain, sleet, snow, etc), plus was good enough for a music scholarship and a university symphony chair. Still plays, only on its 3rd set of pads. Never cracked. Original springs - no rust - I've only replaced one spring in 35 years.
I've worn the plating off, thousands of hours of playing time on it. Model YCL32. Awesome horn.
I'm also fond of plastic Vitos - I repad them for my students to use in marching band. Very nice instruments , even though made of plastic; wonderful for outdoor use in harsh conditions.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-04 11:15
I use an old plastic Yamaha YCL-24 for outdoor playing which is a good clarinet, and the build quality is excellent. And I've added a forked Eb mechanism and LH Eb lever to it as I use these a lot.
I've now got myself a plastic oboe for outdoor use - a full Gillet conervatoire Selmer Signet Soloist, which I've also added some extra keywork to and reamed out the bore.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2007-04-04 11:22
Ken,
Are you asking about plastic or wood Yamaha clarinets?
In terms of plastic.....
I'm very impressed with the sound, intonation, and mechanical ruggedness of the Yamaha YCL-221 II bass clarinet.
My experience with plastic Yamaha soprano clarinets is limited to an old model 20 I purchased last year for summer outdoor gigs. My repair tech did a very nice job working on it. It has a solid feel and remarkably good intonation. I spent some time working on its sound. The Black Diamond synthetic barrels made by Phil Muncy went a long way in improving the old Yamaha's sound. I bet the new Yamaha model is much better.
Of the options you listed my personal preference would be Yamaha.
Roger
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-04-04 11:34
> And I've added a forked Eb mechanism and LH Eb lever to it as I use these a lot.
Being a curious mind - do you have any pictures of how it now looks like? What's the amount of work involved in doing this?
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-04 12:28
The LH Ab/Eb lever is mounted between the same pillars as the LH F/C lever, so I haven't alterd too much there - it works in a similar manner as the trill keys on a flute and the low B, Bb and LH Eb on an oboe with a pinned steel connecting the LH F touch to the key foot that closes the F/C key.
The forked Eb/Bb mechanism is more involved, I fitted a tonehole chimney for LH 3 and the keywork is also mounted on a pinned steel.
I'l see if I can get someone at work to take some photos. I haven't even got a digital camera - the only camera I have is a Pentax Spotmatic F from 1973!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-04-04 12:40
Chris: Hang onto that Spotmatic! It's a tank, and for general amateur photography use is arguably one of the best all round SLRs that was ever made. It is a workhorse, just like these good old Yamaha clarinets. Eu
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-04-04 12:46
Among my clarinets is a model 20 plastic Yam. I consider it a respectable horn.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-04-04 14:41
I borrowed a Yami plastic clarinet a couple years ago when my buffet was in the shop. Great instrument.
Bob Phillips
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Author: GoatTnder
Date: 2007-04-05 18:22
I had a plastic Yamaha as my beginner clarinet, and kept it for several years. Sadly, it disappeared shortly after I got my first wooden clarinet. I'd love to find a replacement for it. Mind you, I was only in high school at the time, but with it I was able to get as good a sound as the folks playing their wooden horns. And, considering I was in high school and not very careful with my instrument, I know first hand that the Yamaha can take a beating. I'd like to find another one for the right price (like $50 or so) for the occasions I play outdoors. Just gotta keep looking...
Andres Cabrera
South Bay Wind Ensemble
www.SouthBayWinds.com
sbwe@sbmusic.org
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Author: donald
Date: 2007-04-05 20:36
wow, i knew that Yamaha made good clarinets, but i didn't realise that they made ones that disapeared! cooool
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Author: Steve B.
Date: 2007-04-06 03:32
My son plays a YCL-250 which has excellent key work but unfortuntately tunes very sharp with the stock 64.5mm barrel.
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Author: GoatTnder
Date: 2007-04-07 00:04
Oh yeah! Clarinets of all kinds disappear quite easily if you keep leaving them in different classes accidentally.
Andres Cabrera
South Bay Wind Ensemble
www.SouthBayWinds.com
sbwe@sbmusic.org
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