Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-11-17 15:58
Did you make sure the prices that you are looking at in Paris stores is without VAT? Since you're American you won't have to pay VAT (if you order by mail you don't pay VAT, if you physically come there to buy it you pay the VAT but then receive it back in the airport with a special form).
About Michael Lowenstern's comments of intonation problem on "used" bass clarinets. I didn't read it again (I read it a long time ago) but I think he said/meant old bass clarinets, not used. I know of at least two people who bought a used Buffet 1193, or Selmer 37, which are great instruments (I don't know of anyone who bought a used Privilege yet!).
So for the original question, here is how I bought a bass clarinet about three years ago. I decided on a low C instrument so called WW&BW and asked if they had any Buffet 1193 and Selmer 37 in stock. They did. I planned my visit to New Jersey (11 hours flight). After I found WW&BW don't have their store in NY anymore, and some cursing, I decided to go to their store in Indiana. I got to NJ and drove to Indiana. Found their cheesy looking store, and asked to try Buffet and Selmer low C bass clarinets. They said sure. I asked how many I can try. They said I can try five Buffet low C instruments, which made it sound like they actually have more than that in stock. When I asked about it they explained they can't let me try all of them because they have to keep some prepared to try or send imediately (ones I try have to be put back in stock). They brought five Buffets and a couple of Selmers. After trying a few of them I already decided I wanted a Buffet. Two of the five had minor problems (bell cork too big on one and a tiny mechanical problem on another) so they brought two more instead. So I tried seven instruments. I'm sure they had more (I'm guessing at least 10-15). They were so consistent I couldn't really believe it at first. It almost didn't matter which one I chose, but I just went with one that sounded slightly better to me (maybe). Thn back home. It wasn't that long ago but the price was about $2,500 less than it is now.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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