 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lazydayse
Date: 2007-04-28 23:54
I have decided to take up the clarinet and am looking for a good one to start with (probably used). I want something that will sound decent so I will keep playing. I found a Buffet Evette Bb that looks good on Ebay for $110 and a Juniper that will probably sell for less. I also know of a Selmer Signet for $150. All of these are, of course, used instruments.
Can someone give me some help on selecting a decent instrument to begin with? I know it is important to try them out, but I live in a small town and don't even have a music store.
I don't want to spend too much but am willing to spend enough to get something decent.
I will gladly take any advice I can get and am willing to listen.
Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-29 00:05
The Evette is the better one of them all, then the Selmer Signet and the Jupiter (though the current Jupiters aren't bad instruments), though do be prepared to have some work done (eg. a general service so it's all well set-up and fully functional) if you're buying used and unseen - often they say 'recently serviced' or 'fully serviced' in the ads which can mean a lot of things, apart from it actually having been serviced.
But as you live in a small town, it will probably need to be shipped to a qualified and reputable repairer to have the work done.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: samohan245
Date: 2007-04-29 00:16
i would start on a selmer
but the buffet is the most fanciest of the bunch
i would talk to you mentor or teacher on what is the best buy
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Author: CEC
Date: 2007-04-29 00:59
lazydayze,
Fantastic! I think you'll find your new musical endeavor very rewarding and a great deal of fun!
Both the Evette and the Selmer are great starter instruments. Chris P makes an excellent point about the very real possibility that some work may be required on a used purchase. Another potential concern is that many of these instruments come with not-so-good mouthpieces (and a good mouthpiece is important for beginners, in my opinion).
Quick disclaimer: Note that I am in no way affiliated with Forté Clarinets!
If you are inclined, I'd investigate purchasing a relatively affordable new instrument. The Forté brand Bb Clarinet would be a great choice. It is significantly more expensive than a used clarinet (about $400), but the upsides are that it will certainly be a better instrument than what you can find in the $100-200 price range, will come with an excellent mouthpiece and there will be no surprises regarding having to have it serviced or overhauled. The gentleman who designed and sells the instrument (Omar Henderson) is frequently found posting on this bulletin board and is a terrific fellow.
You can find more information at: www.forteclarinet.com
Best of Luck!
Chris
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-04-29 01:26
I have to disagree with Chris on this one. The Evette you are looking at is one of the older "sponsored by Buffet" models and is plastic. I've never seen a "sponsored by ..." Evette that I thought was worth having - wood or plastic. If I were buying a plastic Evette, I would look for one of the newer ones with EVETTE all in caps in the center of the logo. I think they are decent but are still so old that they will almost certainly need considerable work. Don't spend more than around $80 on eBay. A B12 (which will be newer and have a better chance of actually being in decent playing condition) might be an even better choice. A wooden Evette with a D-prefix serial number would probably be a good buy at around $125 (will also likely need work).
On paper, the Selmer Signet you are looking at is probably the best model of the three... but the one you're looking at is already overpriced and the picture does not really support the seller's description. I would not buy it.
eBay can be a good source for a clarinet but, if you don't know anything about clarinets, you put yourself at risk of wasting money on junk. If you must buy a student clarinet on eBay, I think you will have more luck with a Yamaha. Look for one that is relatively new, perhaps being sold by a parent who bought it new for a child who gave up early on. With the school year about to come to an end, such instruments are likely to be more common.
If you can find a Vito V40 for under $100, it will be worth the fix-up costs.
Since you don't have a store in your town, you probably don't have a decent repair tech, either. Remember, if you buy an old clarinet on eBay that needs work, you will probably pay more for the repairs than you did for the clarinet and you will have to find someone to do the work and then have to wait on it.
I would recommend you contact David Spiegalthal at:
dspieg@earthlink.net
and see if he has anything for sale that might suit your needs. He specializes in reconditioning older used clarinets. I haven't bought from him but this bulletin board has many positive comments on his instruments (and I've never seen a negative one). If you buy an instrument from him, you can be sure it will be in excellent playing condition. I believe his prices are quite reasonable as well.
Also do a search on this board for information on Forte clarinets.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-29 01:29
"If you can find a Vito V40 for under $100, it will be worth the fix-up costs."
That's some good advice. Don't buy the selmer signet. they're really poor clarinets with the exception of the selmer signet soloist which is an outstanding intermediate clarinet. if you can get your hands on one, get a selmer soloist.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2007-04-29 02:02
Make sure you get a decent mouthpiece, and good reeds that suit it.
For your early experiences, as long as you avoid the knock-off brands and your clarinet is in good working order, the difference between a good or a mediocre mouthpiece will be much greater than the difference between an Evette, Signet, Jupiter, Vito, Noblet, Bundy, Normandy, Yamaha or whatever.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-04-29 06:15
1. Get yourself a good teacher;
2. Get your teacher to help you select your first instrument and mouthpiece.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-29 08:56
Jack Kissinger - "I have to disagree with Chris on this one. The Evette you are looking at is one of the older "sponsored by Buffet" models and is plastic. I've never seen a "sponsored by ..." Evette that I thought was worth having - wood or plastic. If I were buying a plastic Evette, I would look for one of the newer ones with EVETTE all in caps in the center of the logo. I think they are decent but are still so old that they will almost certainly need considerable work. Don't spend more than around $80 on eBay. A B12 (which will be newer and have a better chance of actually being in decent playing condition) might be an even better choice. A wooden Evette with a D-prefix serial number would probably be a good buy at around $125 (will also likely need work)."
Who made these older Evettes (could it be Malerne)? I just had a look on there and have never seen this type - I've only ever seen the Schreiber-built ones.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-04-29 12:21
I own an older Selmer Signet Special wood clarinet and find it to be an excellent horn in all respects. Go figure! Yes, Dave is great.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-04-30 05:01
Chris,
Buffet built Evettes in Paris in a second factory for many years before they shifted production to the Schreiber factory in Germany. I have seen Evettes dating to the 1930's (by their keywork). If memory serves, Evettes weren't made in Germany until around 1978. (I have French-Made Evettes from 1972 and 1976.) Both have the later EVETTE-in-the-center-of-the-oval logo that Buffet began using around 1960 (when the D-series began).
I have heard conjecture (probably based on the cryptic "Sponsored by Buffet" in the logo) that some of the earliest Evettes may have been stenciled by other manufacturers and perhaps some were but I have never seen evidence to back up this claim. At one time, there was a Buffet brochure on this site that dated (again if memory serves) from the 1940's. That brochure clearly showed an Evette "Sponsored by ..." instrument. Even then, the description said that they were built by Buffet in Paris in a second Buffet factory under the supervision of experienced Buffet technicians.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: bandman
Date: 2007-04-30 20:37
I would try to stick with one of the " big four". Selmer, Buffet. LeBlanc and Yamaha. You can't go wrong with either of these. I would suggest that if you go with a used clarinet, it be in the very best shape it can be in. If it is not, it would be like trying to learn how to drive a car that does not run
Retired Repairman
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