 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eimile
Date: 2008-07-04 22:51
I'm currently a B flat clarinet player in high school. I am in the market for a new clarinet. I'm in the top band, so an excellent clarinet is much needed. There's only one catch: the clarinet HAS to have gold keys. To this day, I have only seen one Selmer clarinet with gold keys.
What I'm asking all of you fine clarinetists is where on Earth can I find a B flat clarinet with gold keys? Mind you, I am a clarinet shopping novice, so my knowledge on the subject is somewhat limited. It'd be a great help to me if you could tell me what you know about any clarinets with gold keys, preferably the well known names like Buffet and Selmer. I want a high quality clarinet that is still student friendly. Words cannot describe how badly I want a B flat clarinet with gold keys. Thank you. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-07-04 23:19
Not to be rude...but as much as you think you want gold keys, you do not want gold keys.
It wouldn't matter to me whether my clarinets keys were pitted with rust if the instrument had the best intonation and granted me the greatest freedom.
There are far more important considerations in purchasing a fine clarinet than hobbling yourself with an unimportant detail.
Learn how to play with a sound that shines. Forget about the keys.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-04 23:24
I'd work more on impressing the audience with the sound of your clarinet, rather than the look of your clarinet.
...GBK
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-07-05 01:02
what does your private teacher think of this plan?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-07-05 01:14
Don't listen to those guys, they are just jealous of those of us who have gold keys that.........NEVER TARNISH - EVER!!!!
You can buy a Yamaha CSG-H (the "H" stands for Hamilton plating - a combo of nickel and gold) for around $2500 US dollars. This IS cheap considering that they are almost a grand less than a standard Buffet R13 and they sound a hell of a lot better!!!!
Your other options I'm afraid are more expensive. That is, you can have anything replated (well, you have to start off with silver because nickel plated keys are at a lower melting point than gold) with gold but the cost of the replating and new corks, pads etc. will run between $500 and $1000 on top of the cost of the clarinet.
Just buy Yamaha. It is the LAST horn you will ever need!!!
............Pau Aviles
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Author: hans
Date: 2008-07-05 01:41
I had the impression that LeBlanc made a clarinet with gold keys. You will need deep pockets.......
If having gold keys will motivate you to practise more it may be worth it :-)
Hans
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-05 01:46
hans wrote:
> I had the impression that LeBlanc made a clarinet with gold
> keys. You will need deep pockets.......
Indeed...
The Leblanc L1612 Pete Fountain "Big Easy" Bb Clarinet can be ordered with gold plated keys...GBK
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Author: giuliano
Date: 2008-07-05 06:00
I don't think gold plating means anything, I don't even like it, but Patricola makes it on special order, you can see it on their website.
I wouldn't recommend a Patricola or any other professional instrument for high school, though.
Giuliano Forghieri
Nubilaria Clarinet Ensemble, arranger, clarinet, Eb clarinet
Accademia Musica Insieme, founder, arranger, clarinet
www.musicengraving.it
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-07-05 12:04
Make a real impression and get a red Vito and then have the keys gold plated.
Bob Draznik
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-07-05 13:46
Obvious, Blummy, for the Shostokovich.....
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-07-05 14:18
Buy a clarinet with either nickel or silver plated keys, and then paint them all with clear yellow lacquer. Voila! Gold looking keys - for a while anyway.
When it all goes wrong and you need the entire instrument stripped down to remove the varnish that has got everywhere, then consider having all the metal parts gold plated while it's all in pieces.
Have to say that when I got my first set of old Selmers, the (unplated) keys on these were all gold lacquered. Looked like s***e, but it all came off easily enough. Then I had them all silver plated and didn't regret that.
There's something about wanting gold plated keys for appearances sake only that goes beyond the boundary of taste - kinda like sovreign rings and cheap jewellery worn by chavs.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2008-07-06 14:04
Why not a whole clarinet made of gold?
That'd be way cooler.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-07-06 15:10
Find the clarinet that plays well first--with whatever finish--and then have it gold plated. The R13 that I had gold plated over 20 yrs ago has not tarnished at all and still looks like "a million dollars" :>)
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Author: beejay
Date: 2008-07-07 12:22
Chris P. writes:
You'll find some interesting looking clarinets here! http://www.musik-foag.de/index.htm
I say:
Gross!
Ditto to gold keys.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-07-08 02:09
Why does the clarinet HAVE to have gold-plated keys? Just wondering is this is just a personal issue of appearance for you, ow what it might have to do with other aspects of your selection of an instrument. The main advantage I can see to gold is the lack of tarnish on the keys.
Actually, gold plating doesn't really affect your sound, so if you have the extra cash to throw away, I would say go for it, but I would rather invest my own money in the best possible instrument, mouthpiece and good lessons, rather than the extra expense of gold plating on the keys. I have heard some of the most beautiful music come from clarinets which had keys that were severely tarnished, but the player kept the horn in top playing condition, so the key material did not matter. I heard Andrew Marriner play the Mozart K622 last year, sounding beautiful on a horn with badly tarnished keys. Likewise, I went to a Pops concert a few months ago, and a young man named David Bennett was playing on a gold Leblanc Big Easy, and he also sounded great. I don't think the keys had much to do with either gentleman's sound.
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."
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Author: Eimile
Date: 2008-07-10 18:34
How much would it cost to re-plate a clarinet with gold keys?
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Author: redwine
Date: 2008-07-10 19:44
Hello,
I believe Steve Fowler plates keys. His contact is: steve@fowlermusic.com
He's in Maryland. I'm certain you could find someone near you, however. If you use Steve, tell him hello for me, please.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: D
Date: 2008-07-10 20:10
Chris
I love those! Thanks for the link. I can just see the faces of the group of always disapproving older adults that always attend workshops round here if I turned up with a clarinet covered in sequins. Fab!
So attempted to put frilly lace round the bottom of mine for our concert on Monday.......
*runs off to find blue-tac------->*
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