 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-02 01:16
I'm a beginner. I rented a Selmer 1400 plastic student clarinet about 2 months ago on a 3 month lease. I now wish to purchase a new clarinet.
I have narrowed the search to:
1. 40+/- year old newly re-worked, locally owned, Selmer Signet Special for about $650 (USD).
2. Another Selmer, same as above, from EBay for under $300.
3. A brand new Ridenour Lyrique 576BC for just under $1,000.
Since I am only a beginner (but making very good progress according to my teacher), would you advise me to go ahead and spend the extra money for the Lyrique, or would you settle for one of the Selmers?
If I get the Lyrique, would it be any more difficult to play at my level, or would it be just as easy or easier to play?
I really appreciate your good advice on this forum.
CarlT
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Author: glin
Date: 2008-06-02 01:33
My two cents, for what it's worth. Addressing your options in order:
1)Selmer Signet Special: I wouldn't go for this one, despite it's rework and overhaul. It's an intermediate instrument, and I've never been impressed by the Selmer USA clarinet line.
2)Same comment applies to item #2.
3)Recommend the Lyrique. I have a Lyrique in A, and it plays nicely for me at an affordable price.
If you can think outside your options, consider the Forte clarinet by the Doctor's Products at under 1000 dollars.-it has gotton good reviews here.
Since you are a beginner, consider buying a used student clarinet (Buffet B12, Yamaha YCL-20, or Leblanc's Vito 40) instead of a Selmer intermediate instrument. They can be had for cheap on Craigslist or ebay. Intermediates are not worth buying, in my opinion.
Good luck,
George
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-06-02 01:34
I reccommend the Lyrique. I dont think it would be any harder and possibly easier.
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2008-06-02 02:01
Dear Carl T,
Buy the Lyrique. It's received excellent reviews and it was designed by an outstanding acoustician and fine clarinet player who continually appraises and improves what he designs. I will not speak ill of Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc, or Yamaha; they all make some fine clarinets. But you will likely have to pay more for one of them to get what you can in the Lyrique. And the Lyrique won't crack. Besides, you can talk to and visit Tom Ridenour. Can you telephone Auguste Buffet, Henri Selmer or Leon Leblanc?
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Author: Fred
Date: 2008-06-02 02:32
1. Way too much money for a restored Signet Special.
2. Was this one restored? If so, it's a maybe, but I really don't like any of the Signets except the Signet Soloist.
3. They Lyrique or the Forte should be good if you are willing to spend at that level.
4. A few good options in this Board's classified ads - good for reference if nothing else. I have no knowledge of any of the sellers nor the clarinets they are offering.
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2008-06-02 02:57
You will rarely hear me say this, but DEFINITELY get the Lyrique from those choices.
For that money, you might be able to get a better clarinet used, but the Lyrique is a pretty solid bet.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-02 03:08
Thanks, all. I have done a lot of research, including past posts on this forum, and I believe I could not go too wrong with the Lyrique. I was leaning that way from the start, but I didn't want to bias any of your responses. Now if I can just get the LOL's o.k., the Lyrique will likely be it.
I agree that $650 for the re-worked Selmer Signet Special is too much.
I did also look at the Forte, and that would likely be my 2nd choice (and a good one for the $$'s), but the Lyrique is very highly acclaimed.
CarlT
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