 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: linnich49
Date: 2007-11-29 22:57
I am currently playing again in an orchestra after 20 years and want to upgrade from a plastic student clarinet. I am on a budget and cannot afford to purchase a brand new model. I am interested in a Leblanc Noblet wood clarinet. What brand would be an upgrade? The other clarinet player in our church orchestra currently has a wood Jupiter. You can really notice the difference in tone between my plastic Artley and her Jupiter. I know my Artley is a student model and plays about 1/2 pitch off from the Jupiter.
Can you give me some advise on what to look for and how much to pay for a used clarinet? There seems to be some good buys on E-bay.
Help!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-11-29 23:34
> You can really notice the difference in tone between my plastic Artley and
> her Jupiter. I know my Artley is a student model and plays about 1/2 pitch
> off from the Jupiter.
Tone is one thing. Pitch is another. Not even a student model should differ in pitch. An Artley and a Jupiter should be able to play unisono. One of you is off-key, somehow. (Just to set the record straight).
I understand the wish to buy a new horn. However, from personal experienece, I know that the *real* culprit is the mouthpiece/reed/player combo (provided that the rest of the equation is in good repair). I'd rather switch mouthpieces than clarinets...
If I had to switch clarinets and were on a budget and had to buy "new", I'd quite probably buy an Amati. And spend the remaining money on a *good* mouthpiece.
--
Ben
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-11-30 01:26
Another lower priced alternatice (though not wood) is the Ridenour lyrique bc. It comes with a pro-grade, hand finished mouthpiece, two barrels, and is hand finished by Tom Ridenour. Being made of hard rubber (like many of the finest mouthpieces) means little or no chance of cracking due to thermal/humidity stresses, too. Plus, they cost less than $1000.00 before shipping.
Check them out at http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
Also, if you get really serious about orchestral playing, he makes a matching clarinet in the key of A for not a whole lot more money.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Apage.html
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2007-11-30 01:37)
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Author: Robyn_765
Date: 2007-11-30 12:12
Hi linnich49
I bought a vintage Noblet 45 from that site several months ago, and while I got a really good instrument, I did have to put some work (read $$) into it. Although I'm sure you already know this, some sellers there will say what they need to make a sale, including telling you that the pads are new, cork has recently been replaced, etc. When budgeting, please keep in mind, you will probably have to have at least some repairs done when you receive the instrument. I paid around $225 for a complete overhaul on top of what I paid for the instrument online. I think it was worth it, but you can almost get a new Ridenour for what I paid (they are just a bit more) and I've heard really great things about them.
If I had it to do over again, I think I would stick to buying from someone I know or buying new from Ridenour....I wish you good luck in finding the instrument you want though!
-- Robyn
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-11-30 16:00
If you want to get a very decent intermediate clarinet, look into the selmer signet soloist. An excellent clarinet and in my opinion plays better then a buffet e11.
it really depends on how much you want to spend on your "sound."
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: rtmyth
Date: 2007-11-30 16:38
There are some fine clarinets, both new and used, at reasonable prices, but finding a fine one may require trying out many . Try before buy. My experience with many Ridenour clarinets leads me to have confidence in them in general
richard smith
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2007-11-30 17:26
I can't recommend Ridenour's Lyrique clarinet highly enough. I just acquired one, and it is superior to the Buffet R13 that I've been playing for years in every respect (tone quality, intonation, response, etc.). The fact that it is made of hard rubber means that it will not crack, nor will the dimensions change in extreme weather/humidity conditions.
At a cost of just under $1000, you'd be better off getting the Lyrique new than getting something else used, having it fixed up...and then still having to spend money on a decent mouthpiece. The Lyrique comes with a high quality, hand-finished mouthpiece.
Regardless of your playing experience, inferior equipment will only make playing the clarinet frustrating for you. I find the Lyrique to be the least frustrating, most enjoyable clarinet I've played...better even than any of the big-name, fancy-titled, overpriced wood clarinets out there.
(not affiliated in any way with Ridenour Clarinet Products...just a happy customer)
JW
conservatory graduate, school music teacher, and private clarinet instructor
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-11-30 17:58
Hmmm... the die-hard Buffet fans are a bit slow off the mark!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-11-30 18:49
Buy a Buffet !!
What is your budget? I'm surprised no one has mentioned that.
the noblets on that site are about $75 - $140
you can also get Selmer Signets, Buffets, etc
Noblets are usually a good value for the $$
but when purchasing off of any auction site beware of the potential additional $$ to get it playable, or more to get it in top notch condition.
Sometimes you do get a gem of a deal.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-11-30 19:49
I should have said Evettes and not Buffets .. those may also be inline price-wise
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Author: stancl
Date: 2007-12-01 00:09
I recently acquired a Selmer Signet Special (one step down from the Soloist). It is wood and has a very nice tone (got it for under $150 on ebay). The signet came with a Hite Premiere mp which sounds surprisingly good. This relative expensive setup compares favorable with my others .... at least at my level of ability.
My other setups include:
Leblanc LL
Buffet International
(Portnoy 02 & 03 and Vandoren B45 mp's)
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Author: Karenette
Date: 2007-12-01 18:12
I've been playing on my new Ridenour Lyrique for a couple of months and really like everything about it.
I had thought about buying comparably priced wooden clarinets as in the Selmer CL211, Jupiter 931N, the Yamaha YCL450, etc. but living in Arizona and having to deal with very dry conditions, I'm glad I tried the Ridenour Lyrique hard rubber clarinet. Very much in tune with a great tone and I'm also using his mouthpiece.
Good luck . . . .
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-12-05 12:38
I agree,Dave, and am seriously thinking about selling one or more of my wood horns and getting one.
Bob Draznik
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-12-05 14:01
I didn't like the Arioso at all, not one bit from the keywork to the tone it gave me (not I gave it....) . It was completely different to my Prestige/Signature. From what I've seen here the Lyrique is a complete turnaround. I'm not one to trust anything but top quality wood, however can possibly be openminded if the horn is that good. "Possibly openminded" that is 
That's on my wishlist to try as well as the top of the line Backun Clarinets.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2007-12-05 18:08
Sorry to be contrary, but I have been saying for many years that no clarinet has a sound, per se. They do have a response and that I think is what everyone is speaking to and about.
If one likes the response one plays with freedom and confidence. Please don't tell me that your clarinet has a sound. It just lays there and is inert, some more than others, but that is the story,
It is first and foremost the player and "his stuff". The sound comes from the response which is initiated by the performer.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-12-05 18:46
It goes beyond that to the instrument itself as well. We of course know that there 2 schools of thought on instrument materials effect on Clarinet tone.
I'm strongly in the camp of materials making a difference.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
Post Edited (2007-12-05 18:48)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-12-05 22:59
According to master mouthpiece maker Ralph Morgan in an article I read recently on www.dornpub material does make a difference in mouthpieces. I'm inclined to think that it does make some kind of difference in the rest of the parts too....but I don't believe that wood per se is always better than , say, hard rubber. There are so many variables that it's amazing .....
Bob Draznik
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-12-06 00:48
It's a whole other discussion.
Does a plastic Gigliotti Ligature give a "plastic tone"? No, but the material does make a difference in how it feels and how it sounds.
I tried dozens of barrels at Backun's with the exact same dimensions - but different materials and to me anyone past freshman year of college should be able to tell the obvious difference.
I like the warmth in the tone of a high quality wooden clarinet. Can I sound just as good on any Clarinet?
Yes and no.......
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2007-12-06 02:21
I had a Noblet 40 and it did very well for me (nice sound and feel) until it developed a crack. I replaced it with a new Buffet E11, which I also like very much.
Leonard
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-12-06 13:51
Some of the Amati clarinets are brilliant, and inexpensive.
You may also find that some of the rebuilt clarinets at your nearest repair shop will offer better fit and finish than inexpensive, new instruments.
New pads are worth (or will cost) $150.
If the instrument in question is offered for less than $150, you will probably need an overhaul to get it into shape.
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Author: bulldoggy1
Date: 2008-01-12 22:45
The great Kenny Davern played his great jazz on a plastic clarinet. His tone, intonation and technique were marvelous. It's the player, man!!
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2008-01-12 23:28
. . . and to set the record straight, some wood clarinets have been known to have a nice sound. The same phenomenon has been noted about others made of rubber, plastic, and (heaven forbid!) metal.
Of course some good players can make a beautiful sound with a clarinet made out of plaster of Paris!
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Author: FDF
Date: 2008-01-12 23:31
Give Tom Ridenour a call, and tell him your concerns. He'll fix you up. A great guy with superior knowledge of clarinets.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-01-13 16:26
Wood vs. -----. Old topic; extensively researched. Conclusions, thus far: the formant effects of material are masked by the many other variables ,which results in no two instruments spectra being identical, to say nothing of the effect of the player, which can be enormous.
richard smith
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Author: jwiseman114
Date: 2008-01-14 13:22
If you can get your hands on one, try an Andino by Gemstone. They have not been out very long and I have not gotten to try one yet but Rossi was involved in its design and he is a genius! They will be offered in plastic, rubber, and wood (grenadillo of course) and they will be inexpensive. I have a friend that plays one and prefers it over his R13 and Recital.
In the inexpensive range I also like: the Allora by Ridenour, old Selmer Paris horns, and Old Leblanc models.
I think that Buffet is overpriced in general.
IMO: Bore dimension from barrel to bell is the most important characteristic of a good horn along with undercutting. A wood horn with a crappy bore will always sound worse than a plastic horn with a good bore. I think that the material is definitely important but acousticians will disagree and can show you empirical evidence to support their claim. Ridenour believes that rubber is superior to Grenadillo. Though I respect his opinion I remain skeptical.
*Edited Sorry...I meant to say Allora by Ridenour. I really don't like Amatis at all.
Post Edited (2008-01-15 15:22)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-01-14 17:47
How many of Ridenour's Amatis have you played?
Note: jwiseman114's previous post (now edited) referred to a Ridenour-designed Amati -- a nonexistent instrument.
jnk
Post Edited (2008-01-15 15:49)
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Author: jwiseman114
Date: 2008-01-15 15:25
Very sorry! I meant to say Allora designed by Ridenour. They typically need a little adjusting but are well designed clarinets. I am NOT a fan of Amati.
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Author: glin
Date: 2008-01-15 16:21
Hi,
I don't know your budget-but would offer the following tips.
1)Step up instrument from student grade. Used price range(say less than 500 dollars) New price range (700-1000 dollars). Brands to consider: Noblet/Leblanc, Buffet E-11, Yamaha, Selmer. My preference would be the Buffet or Noblet. Other clarinets you might want to try would be the Forte by Doctor's Products or the Ridenour Lyrique.
2)Used Professional: Price range (1000-1500 dollars-roughly). If you look around, you may find a Buffet R-13 for 1000 dollars or less. Also, bargains can be found on the Leblanc Paris and Yamaha lines. I wouldn't recommend Selmer Paris clarinets-although I here their new line of clarinets are much better.
3)New Professional: Price is expensive ($2000-on up). Again, Buffet is the leader of the pack-but Selmer Paris, Leblanc Paris, and Yamaha are closing the gap.
If budget is limited, l, I think you can find good deals for $1000 or less. You just need to look around and be patient. You should factor additional monies for some repair and adjusting-more $$ on a used horn than on a new horn. For a quick recommendation, Buffet is a solid buy.
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