 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: scurry
Date: 2007-08-06 07:48
Hi all,
I played clarinet about 40 years ago. On impulse I bought one of those no-name Clarinets for less than $100 off the net. Now I have the bug and want a "real" Clarinet. But I don't want to (read can't) spend much money. The student clarinets are usually advertised as being great for childrens' requirements and small hands, etc. But what about adults' hands and requirements?
My requirements are:
* suitable for an extremely rusty (but practicing) adult
* Quality build, i.e. the clarinet will not fall apart after a year.
* Nice sound and intonation
* able to play with others (band / orchestra)
* interested in learning Swing/Jazz and making use of the expressiveness of the instrument
* Oh, and I want the most Clarinet for the least money (of course).
Should I go for new or used? Do Clarinets age well?
Is there a dramatic difference between plastic and wood?
If I want to be able to be able to play expressively, would a student clarinet be adequate?
At the cheaper end of the market, what brands should I be looking at or avoiding?
Hope I am not trying to cover too much in one Post. But any help to narrow down the search would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Sue
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Author: Ski
Date: 2007-08-06 12:52
I was in a similar situation to you -- last time I played clarinet was over 30 years ago. Got a bee in my bonnet to play again. Went to a small local music store and played one or two "plastic" (resonite) clarinets. Walked out of the store with one of them, a beautiful older Bundy. Paid slightly less than $200, including the case. It came with a plastic mouthpiece, ligature, and a tube of cork grease labeled "slightly used".
They offered a 90 day warranty, during which time I had to have it adjusted once. Nothing major, but things do go out of adjustment from time to time.
It was recommended that I get a better ligature (I got a Selmer and wow, what a difference!). On top of that I bought an assortment of reeds, swabs, pad savers, a small peg stand, a new (cheap) hard case, Tom Ridenour's alternate fingerings book (because I'm ambitious), and a beautiful metal mouthpiece cap. So $150 later I had all of these things. Total so far, $350, no regrets!
The expense of reeds never ends, and once you start to get a good tone you'll likely want to buy a better mouthpiece...
So when you say you can't spend a lot of money, taking into consideration all of the above, what's your budget? Are you in my league, approx. $500, or can you spend more like $750 - $1000? Or more? I think knowing the answer to this might help people to guide you towards the appropriate instrument.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-06 13:20
Hello Sue,
There are clarinet models that specifically attempted to corner the market or accomodate beginning clarinetists. These are few and far between, so your concerns about hand size you may put aside.
What no name clarinet did you buy for $100? It might not be a bad one!
Wooden clarinets are GENERALLY better instruments because the companies that make them put more time and energy into quality construction. That being said, there is a dramatic difference between wood and plastic clarinets.
Unless you have bought, or do buy a starter clarinet from Sam's Club most clarinets are durable and will not "fall apart" on you. But you do have to maintain them! A yearly "check up" with a repair tech is needed. Someone on the board will know where the list of CSO's (Clarinet shaped objects) is so that you can stay away from those brands.
I do not believe that you will find one model or another that is more appropriate for Swing music or expressivness per se. The clarinet is a tool, it is up to you to play Swing music and be expressive!
Intonation is another matter, and does improve the more you spend (generally). But there is no magic clarinet with perfect intonation, we all have to learn to play the clarinet we have.
So some suggestions (even though I have no idea what you'd like to spend):
A Selmer Signet or Signet 100 (a wooden clarinet that can often be bought on Ebay on the cheap)
A buffet b12 (plastic but good)
Yamaha student models (someone is going to have to help me here)
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2007-08-06 13:53)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-08-06 13:31
From our local music store's closeout sale, I have purchased a number of their better, used, mostly wood, clarinets for my interests and likely sale [ soon] to beginning students [parents]. I have found several of these to be exceptional "intermediate" insts. The best ones are a Selmer Signet 100, an Evette [by Buffet], and an [old] Kohlert, for less than $100 each, all needing my "tweaking" if not some pads, corking, adjustments, general COA with TLC. I'm capable of "reasonable" minor repairs, but a returning clist, should realize that ALL used insts will need some work, hopefully not more than $100 's worth. As we [old] Michiganders say "circumspice" [in our motto]. Latin for "look about you", there are bargains out there! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-06 13:42
Thanks GBK and Don,
Don your point about being prepared to spend around $100 for the servicing of a newly bought USED instrument was one I had meant to make, and forgot!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-08-06 13:43
> there is a dramatic difference between wood and plastic clarinets.
What kind of difference? Price? (Sure) Tone? (not so sure) Quality?
I just came back from vacation; I had only my "bad weather" plastic horn (thanks again, susieray) with me. Took me a minute or two to get used to the slightly different keywork (made for pupils with smaller hands), but then...hard to tell, with me on the input end.
The only very noticeable difference between a resin/metal clarinet and a wooden one is that the former won't take up condensed water at all, which results in a tendency to "gurgle" earlier due to waterlogged tone holes. I had this effect on all the plastic clarinets I owned and played so far. My wooden ones are much more forgiving in this regard, but then again I don't play them at 14°C in the dusk...
--
Ben
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-06 13:53
Hello Ben,
My philosophy on individual tone is that it is in the hands of the musician, not the instrument. GENERALLY I believe that many (most?) beginner/intermediate clarinetists are at the mercy of what their instrument gives them. In this case a wooden horn will improve their situation.
This is not the thread or the situation to discuss how to be in charge of one's sound.
"The only very noticeable difference between a resin/metal clarinet and a wooden one is that the former won't take up condensed water at all..."
This is a gross oversimplification which I don't mind qualifying as just wrong.
Among the long list of things that are better (GENERALLY) about wooden horns: Undercut tone holes. Although plastic clarinets may approximate them (if at all) they are more precisely (?) employed in wooden clarinets.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-08-06 19:01
I have found Ridenours, both used and new, to be good value. For all clarinets, try before buy if possible.
richard smith
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2007-08-06 19:28
I would add the Yamaha YCL 250 to this list of already good suggestions. Especially with an upgraded mouthpiece, this is a really nice "student" clarinet.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2007-08-06 19:47
I agree with the recommendation on the Forte fora new clarinet. It's an excellent value for around $400. If you can't pay that, I started with a Vito Resotone (plastic) that I got on ebay for $50. I still have it, although I have a woodon horn also, but the Vito plays well and is durable. I think any plastic Vito would be a good horn for you. Just buy from a seller on ebay who has good positive feedback. The Buffet B12 is also rated very well and is probably priced in line with the Forte, possibly less. You can find it at Woodwind and Brasswind, wwbw.com.
Good luck.
Leonard
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Author: scurry
Date: 2007-08-07 02:32
Budget?
I am in the less than $500 league.
I have already purchased a couple method books, Rubank elementary and Benny Goodman, and a couple of playalong book/cds. I have replaced the ligature, reeds, swabs, peg stand, etc. So I am all set up except for a better clarinet.
The bore size on my current clarinet is non-standard. The new clarinet mouthpiece I bought was too big to fit in the barrel.
Thanks,
Sue
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Author: scurry
Date: 2007-08-07 03:54
Thanks so much for the comments and the link.
My no-name clarinet was called "Soundz". But it looks like it came from the same factory as the Aria 1851. Wish I had this list of CSO's before. I would not have wasted my money.
On the other hand. But If i hadn't bought this clarinet I would not be enjoying playing again.
Cheers,
Sue
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Author: scurry
Date: 2007-08-07 07:01
Hi all,
Thank you (all of you) for your input so far.
I came across this webpage about choosing a Clarinet:
http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/selecting.asp
Any comments?
Sue
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2007-08-07 17:24
Sue, I think this would be a good option for a place to consider purchasing a good used clarinet. I have found Charl to be very knowledgeable and helpful. It is worthwhile to read the background information on the types of clarinets, and his opinion. It is much less risky than purchasing on ebay. You would also be getting a clarinet that has had any work it needs done already.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-08-08 14:31
Get a Forte clarinet. The Doctor is a regular on this board and he's designed a really nifty clarinet for a very reasonable price. Non-wood and very good for beginners or returning players such as yourself. $423.00 is a great price for a good instrument. Ditch the cheapo.
Post Edited (2007-08-08 14:32)
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Author: scurry
Date: 2007-08-11 02:02
Hi all,
Thanks so much for all your input.
I decided on a quality brand "used" plastic/ABS clarinet for now and will save for a better "used" wood or new plastic/rubber instrument next year.
After much research into instrument costs, brands, plastic vs wood, used vs new, American vs Australian markets, ebay vs shop, ebay sellers and fellow bidders, etc...
I purchased a Selmer CL300 from a US company via eBay(US). Brand and model looked good, Price looked good, quality (from the picture) looked good. The seller advertised his clarinet very blandly as a "Selmer Clarinet". I don't think he realised that he could attract more interest by providing the model number.
I had it shipped to my family in the US (I live in Australia). Including shipping I paid significantly less than the cost of my new CSO! But the joke may be on me when I visit my family next month and I finally see what I purchased.
Thanks again!
Cheers,
Sue
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