 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2008-05-12 02:22
I just got some Yamaha CSGs yesterday and I am impressed. Of course I read quite a bit here on the BB about them and felt it was worth a try. I was, however, a little afraid that they would sound tubby and lack any character like the Backun clarinet I played (sorry for those of you who like that clarinet). The thing about the CSG that is most impressive aside from the excellent tuning and response is that I still sound like myself, just a better version. It's kinda like when you have that perfect reed that produces the "right" kind of sound and articulates like a dream. The other characteristics have been written about already so I will simply say that I concur with all the other comments about craftsmanship, response, tuning, etc. The thing that was a concern for me, being a Buffet player, was if I could make this clarinet work in the orchestra surrounded by other Buffet players. Well, I have rehearsals later this week but I can already tell that this horn will work beautifully. It is certainly different from the sound of an R13, but not as different as some of the other horns on the market like the Backun (again, sorry...)
In case anyone wonders, I did receive the Hamilton plated keys, although I ordered the silver. It was a mistake, but I like the look and will keep it. I won't get the A clarinets for a few more days and am very eager to try them. If anyone is interested, I could take a photo of the Hamilton plated keys and post it here; the online photos are not very helpful with showing how they actually look.
David
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2008-05-12 03:48
It's a shame you didn't catch me a few months back I sold a set of CSGs in silver plate, a set of SEVs and a set of SEV masters. I let them go pretty inexpensivly My set of RC buffets went last month. The plain SEVs are the best clarinet Yamaha makes! I'm keeping my new Leblancs. Tom Puwalski
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-05-12 03:58
Wow!! Leblancs over the Yamahas!!!!
I don't know if David had the same comparitive experience as I, but to me the Leblancs had no resistance to them at all. With the way I play the sound became mostly sibilant and lacked any projection. Of course my comparison on these horns was in a busy exibition hall, but they came in a distant third to my CSG and the Selmer Signature in the no. 2 slot.
Any one else giving up their Yamahas can just them to me :-)
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: gwie
Date: 2008-05-12 07:51
I just gave up two gorgeous R-13's to a former student (who a few weeks later, is still celebrating their awesome-ness . They were incredible clarinets...out where I am there is a huge Buffet bias, to the point that no one dares to play (or recommend) anything else. However, my unique career path has given me the freedom to experiment.
I have two CSG's on their way back from the Brannens (can't wait, they arrive by UPS in a couple days). I love how they feel, I find it much easier to tune in chamber music, and appreciate their lighter weight. For the most part, they were pretty darned good, "stock." I did miss some of the great things that Bill and Linda did to my R-13's (especially with the lowered ring keys, spring action, and teflon bumpers) so thus, their little journey over to the Midwest to get re-done.
Listening to my recorded sound, I don't find that I really sound that much different on the CSG. With the Bb starting around $2200, I can't begin to rave about what an incredibly good deal these clarinets are. In taking them up myself, I feel much more justified recommending them (as well as the other options from Leblanc and Selmer) to my students.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-05-12 11:03
Hi,
I play a Yamaha CS and my Buffet, LeBlanc, and Selmer instruments are now backups. But the amazing thing is that Yamaha saxes and flutes are very fine instruments. While I still have Selmers as my primary alto (a Super 80) with a Mark VI as backup, a Yamaha YTS 475 is an able companion for my trusty Mark VI tenor.
My prediction is that in 40 years (sorry but I'll not see that), the current Yamaha instruments that people are discovering will be the classics rather than from the fine vintage clarinets and saxes 1950s and 60s that are so coveted. That should raise some blood pressures!
HRL
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-05-12 11:42
Dave -
Where do you play? How many CSGs did you play when you picked yours out, and how consistent were they?
And, of course, all of us will be waiting for your report when you play them in the rehearsal.
Ken Shaw
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2008-05-12 16:33
Ken,
I play in the Nashville Symphony and have some rehearsals tomorrow. I am not expecting anything amazing, but mainly hoping that the tuning and blend in the ensemble is good. From what I can tell by playing the clarinet alone is that this should not be a problem.
I only played two of these clarinets. Apparently they are difficult to obtain; Woodwind only had three of them in stock. Of course I would like to have played more, but I figured that one of them had to be better than my R13 to get my attention. Both horns are better and would be worth considering. The two Yamahas are very similar but the one I like has just a bit more ring. The only down side is that the other horn is prettier.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-05-13 13:45
Only about one clarinet in 20 unculled , direct from the factory , of any make and model, is of artist quality, as confirmed by Smalley, Portnoy, and others. Apparently you have been quite fortunate in picking the fine ones, or were able to pick and choose. Congratulations.
richard smith
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-05-13 14:30
Dear Richard Smith,
The funny thing about stats is that they exist in a moment of time. Just as an example, I heard on NPR the other day (thanks to Ira Glass) that the risky loans (subprimes) were being written like there was no tomorrow in part because the prior existing data on forclosures showed that only 2.5% of loans default. Of course the stats were based on the "better" loans of the past and we ALL know what's happening now.
One in twenty for clarinets is probably still the case for Buffets, but I can tell you that my experience with the Yamahas was similar to Dave's.
Yamaha's constancy of quality is re-writing the stats.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-05-13 14:53
Richard -
Who's Smalley? Perhaps Dennis Smylie?
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2008-05-13 14:55)
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-05-14 14:27
Gulp. Old age showing. I should have written Snavely, " How to Choose an Artist Clarinet".
richard smith
Post Edited (2008-05-14 23:39)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-05-14 14:57
I am looking forward to having the opportunity to try these at some point. Maybe I can get in to the NY artist studio at some point. Yamaha some makes great instruments. I have played some really nice clarinets and saxes. Those that I have played over the years are remarkably consistent. I don't know how they manage to do it, but I have played some of the previous model clarinets and found that out of a batch they were all quite good and virtually the identical. I have played some right out of the box that were set up from the factory so well that I could have taken the instrument right out to a gig.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-05-14 15:06
Every major brand makes a good quality instrument; the secret is finding the right one for you. You look for the tone quality you want, the feel and voicing that fits your playing. When you find that it becomes the best clarinet you’ve ever played. When I was helping a student pick out a Buffet two years ago I tried some Selmer’s just to see what they were liked, I completely fell in love with one of the Signatures and after trying half a dozen and twenty some Buffets, all models, I bought it and never looked back. It gives me everything I look for in a clarinet and I play it and blend in a section that uses Buffets and Chadash clarinets. I still us my Buffet A clarinet because it’s the best A I’ve ever played, with a Backun bell and barrel. We’re all different, look for what works best for you, not the other guy. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2008-05-15 00:55
I've had a CSGH for a while now and am quite satisfied...'specially with the intonation. The H is CSGH stands for the Hamilton keys, which
I got for the novel look. Sadly I don't like the way they look...seem kind of slimy or something. That's just the appearance though; they feel fine and the keywork is super. Going to get an A soon. Not to be overlooked is the more than competitive price!
Clarinet Redux
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