 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-05-07 23:46
A lot has been written and discussed about the Ridenour Lyrique Bb clarinet and although it looks good and promising on paper, I couldn't really grasp the meaning of all those words until I tried one myself.
I recieved my Lyrique today and can say that the clarinet plays very much like I hoped it would play. It is a well made clarinet that is very much in tune with itself. You can see that someone really put some effort into it and truly cares about what they are producing. It feels good under my fingers and has just the right amount of resistance. The whole scale from top to bottom and back to the top plays seamlessly and with no effort. I have a small problem with the transition from middle C to Eb and low F to G# but I remember having the same problem with a new Buffet Vintage when I first aquired it a few years ago. I did nothing to it and became accustomed to the keys and I think this will eventually go the same route. I believe it is a quirk I may have on my right pinky finger. The real test will be using it regularly and seeing how it does on a day to day basis but just as an initial impression, this clarinet is an incredible bargain at $975.00. What really surprised me was the mouthpiece it comes with is just wonderful. It really is a perfect match to the clarinet. I think at this time, the only thing I can even half way complain about is the smell of the clarinet when first opening the case. It is the smell of new rubber that has been worked on. I imagine that it will smell less and less as time goes by.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-05-08 00:28
Solution 1: move your pinky faster OR squeeze a tennis ball to strengthen the speed of your pinky finger
Solution 2: Febreeze that ish.
That is all.
More great news for the lyrique.
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: MichaelR
Date: 2007-05-08 02:49
Dano,
What's your experience level?
I'm also a very happy Lyrique owner. But I'm also someone with just over a year of playing experience who can only compare the instrument to a) my pawn shop rescued plastic Bunday and b) my teacher's clarient.
--
Michael of Portland, OR
Be Appropriate and Follow Your Curiosity
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-05-08 03:27
My opinions are coming from playing clarinet for about 40 years. I had lessons for about 10 or so years with the same teacher until he died. I have not owned tons of clarinets. I do not play in an orchestra or teach clarinet. I play only well enough to know that I want to play better. I currently have a Buffet Vintage, Evette Master Model, Selmer Centered Tone, Vito 40, Leblanc Concerto II and now the Ridenour. I play mostly jazz in small venues. I am not really comparing the Ridenour to any other of my clarinets. They all have their own special place for me. A pawn shop rescued Bundy has it's place also. My first clarinet was a Bundy that followed me through high school and military service until it was stolen. How long have you had your Lyrique?
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Author: MichaelR
Date: 2007-05-08 03:36
I got my Lyrique in December. It's been a great teacher for me.
--
Michael of Portland, OR
Be Appropriate and Follow Your Curiosity
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2007-05-08 06:14
-- "I think at this time, the only thing I can even half way complain about is the smell of the clarinet when first opening the case. It is the smell of new rubber that has been worked on. I imagine that it will smell less and less as time goes by." --
I wonder if this is typical of chinese clarinets? I experienced the same thing with a CSO years ago and the smell was overpowering.
With my hard rubber Hanson however, there was no odour at all.
I'm sure that Omar would say something about sulphur levels. ;-)
Steve
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-05-08 09:02
I'm not sure, but the smell seemed to be more the case than the clarinet with me. It went away fairly quickly (a week or two). Now it's odorless, and therefore doesn't cover up my breath anymore :(
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-08 13:18
A good guess is that the smell is fish glue.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-05-08 13:32
It could be glue. It smells more like rubber or plastic that has been heated almost to the point of melting. Kind of like when a small piece of plastic ends up in your campfire or fireplace. I think I will start thinking of it as a "new car smell". It won't bother me as much!
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2007-05-09 01:49
it is good to hear continued good reviews on this clarinet.I just ordered myself a Lyrique tonight. hope i like it as much as everyone else here.
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Author: glin
Date: 2007-05-09 03:03
I'm glad there are good reviews on the Lyrique. Mine is an "A" clarinet and is actually back in to Tom for some tweaking.
Now for some minor negatives:
Unrelated to the tweaking, the complaints are 1) The quality of the keywork and finish. I wonder if it will hold up through time. I wipe the keys off each time I play, but often see dark smudge spots that I have to polish off. I didn't have to go through this with my silver plated R13. The other complaint I have is the adjustable thumbrest-It's a liitle off center and to me, it feels uncomfortable.
The price is affordable and the clarinet does play much better than the Leblanc A that I used to have.
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Author: MichaelR
Date: 2007-05-09 03:32
glin wrote:
> Unrelated to the tweaking, the complaints are 1) The quality of
> the keywork and finish. I wonder if it will hold up through
> time. I wipe the keys off each time I play, but often see dark
> smudge spots that I have to polish off.
After six months with my Lyrique I've yet to see any discoloration of the keywork. Perhaps this is related to the chemistry of one's sweat?
> The other complaint I have is the adjustable thumbrest
I've wondered if Tom put that in so people would have something to fiddle with.
After adjusting it a couple of times with no improvement in anything I decided to acclimate myself to it.
--
Michael of Portland, OR
Be Appropriate and Follow Your Curiosity
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Author: Dano
Date: 2007-05-09 04:19
I find that in all clarinets I have played, not only the Lyrique, there is an adjustment I have had to make with one thing or another. It could be the thumb rest or it could be the position of some keys. It's kind of like getting used to using anything that is new to you. I am reminded of using a new state of the art camera. You can't find all you need without thinking about it and missing a lot of great photos, but once you get used to it, your hands go to it without thought and you kick yourself for even contemplating that it isn't an intuitive camera.
I too wondered about discoloration with the hard rubber. After all, you do get discoloration with hard rubber mouthpieces.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-05-09 04:59
One complaint I have is the case. Granted the case doesn't affect your sound (at least I don't think it does . . . ) but my case fell apart after only around a month. Both snaps have detached and now there's nothing to keep it closed. I have to tie a piece of string around it.
Clarinet's still doing ok. Needs an adjustment right now (probably due to it falling out of the case that won't stay closed)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-05-09 15:08
I also own a Lyrique. When I shipped my Leblanc Symphonie VII to Tom Ridenour for a full artist overhaul (since he was the designer of that instrument), I arranged to pick it up in person and make sure all the adjustments were as I wanted. I also told him I'd like to try one of the Lyriques because I'd read about them on the bboard. I ended up asking a couple of people from my community band to travel along with me for the day trip. When we arrived Tom had 4 Lyriques for me to try. All 3 of us picked them up and had a great time play-testing. We all ended up buying one. Two of us bought Bbs and the third bought a C clarinet.
Since returning with our new instruments we've gotten another of our clarinet section to purchase one and they have really helped with the intonation of our section.
I highly recommend the Lyrique. It's not a student instrument. Like mentioned before, it has a great professional feel and the intonation up and down the scale is excellent. I have not, however, decided to give up my wooden instruments, although a number of people have done that after playing the Lyrique for a few weeks. I will use mine outdoors and as a backup.
Post Edited (2007-05-09 16:18)
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