 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Old Nick
Date: 2007-04-02 23:46
Hi all. I have been playing clarinet (and various saxes) now for around 50 years. I started at the age of 8 with a second hand Boosey Hawkes and after 3/4 years my dad bought me a new Selmer Series 9 which I have had and used ever since. I started performing at the age of thirteen with trad jazz bands (dixieland for our American friends). I have played in semi pro bands most of my life and currently am in a quartet doing light jazz - a lot of Sidney Bechet type numbers, etc.
Over the years I have serviced my Selmer myself - repadding, recorking etc. as necessary but now my trusty instrument could really do with a professional overhaul and I wonder if anyone can recommend how to get that work done to a high standard in the UK, ideally near my home in the West of Scotland.
I am also contemplating acquiring another instrument and have been taken by the reviews of Hanson clarinets - maybe their T5. My instrument has to be reasonably robust as it will get gigged regularly and I can't be having bits break mid gig. I have tried a few instruments in shops including a Buffet E13 which I liked tonally and as an instrument to play. I have heard though that the nylon pins used in the keywork are less than robust and that the tenon joints have a tendancy to bind. I've tried some Yamahas also but was less impressed by the sound. My preference is for dark, mellow tones and I am presently using a Woodcraft 'Buddy de Franco' mouthpiece which is specifically set up for jazz players plus Alexander Superial 3's plus my original Selmer ligature.
Can anyone give me any comments on the above?
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-02 23:48
Howarth clarinet in london...... nuff said.
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: Don Berger
Date: 2007-04-03 01:22
Welcome, Nick, for inst work in the UK, to echo C2thew, many of us are indebted to Chris P "Oboe Finisher for Howarth" for his excellent advice on maintenance-repair topics listed below on our good BBoard. Since you are in Western Scotland, may I inquire [OK, GBK ?] if you knowabout the naming of the Pass of Brander, since I have Brander in my ancestry?? Probably an off-board E-Mail would be best. Thanx, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2007-04-03 08:10
Hi Nick
Have you considered buying a Leblanc clarinet? I currently play a Concerto II which comes with an Eddie Daniels mouthpiece. It's a wonderful clarinet in all respects and the mouthpiece is a dream come true. At around £1550 it might seem a bit expensive, but I certainly haven't regretted buying it. Like you, I play mainly jazz, but mostly modern-ish (although I also love Sidney Bechet and the other old heroes). If I were to get a new clarinet now, the only other brand I would consider is Tom Ridenour's Lyrique clarinet (and that's based solely on the rave reviews of it on this board and elsewhere). My A clarinet is a Hanson T6 by the way, and although it's a very good clarinet, it's not in the same league as the Leblanc Concerto II. Anyway, best wishes to you whatever you choose.
Pathik
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-04-03 13:29
Many Thanks, Nick, I'll continue my name search, would love to be able to make a 3rd+ visit to your fine country, perhaps around Elgin-Huntly. Back to cls, my 2 best are a Leblanc L7 1970-80 and a Selmer CT 1950's, both excellent players but they have interesting differences . They both appear on occasion at auctions and as "shop" trade-ins at very reasonable prices, condition is all-importunt of course. They satisfy me and my retirement home friends, and I still play in community bands, but on alto and bass clarinets. [Selmers]. Veru good advice, Pathik Much luck, Regards, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: D
Date: 2007-04-03 15:56
I have a T5. Two actually. I have no complaints and if you are on a budget then it is certainly worth a look. I particularly like the robustness and find them very good for jazz.
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Author: clockwiser
Date: 2007-05-28 18:54
Woodwind and Reed in Cambridge is a suggestion from me. Although it is not very close to your area.
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