 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-09-29 18:26
A bit of background;
Clarinet No.1
I acquired this one from school about 14 years ago, a Bb. I'm not sure how old it is but it was property of the school back then so I assume it's had quite a few owners, it could be 30 years old or more. It's at least 15. It's marked with "Buescher USA" and a word underneath that I can't read, looks like Anistacia or Anistocna or Aristocra or something. On the mouthpiece it has "B&H England". It hasn't seen a techie in the time that I've had it and it's badly in need of re-corking, I think the pads need replacing too especially on the bottom half which is a little temperamental. Aside from that it's working fine still (most of the time).
Clarinet No.2
A Venus Bb. Been nothing but trouble since I bought it two years ago and now seems to have quite a crack, the only notes I can get out of it are from the A and Ab buttons (and of course G), then notes B to F of the upper register, so basically it won't play any note that's played on the top half (it hasn't played lower register since I had it, it plays upper instead even though the register key isn't pressed).
This I've more or less decided to scrap, it's not worth the cost of repair and it's driving me mad.
I'm wondering if it's worth seeing about a good service for the old one. Has anyone heard of that make clarinet? Is it worth keeping? I am going to invest in a good one once I've done a lot more research, but still I'd like to see my old boy go a little longer
PS I was grade 4 10 years ago, I haven't played properly since then.
V
Post Edited (2008-09-29 18:43)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2008-09-29 19:18
Victoria wrote:
> It's marked with "Buescher
> USA" and a word underneath that I can't read, looks like
> Anistacia or Anistocna or Aristocra or something.
Aristocrat
...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-09-29 20:47
The Buescher Aristocrat sounds like an oldie but goodie. From how you describe it, if you don't mind putting $100 into it they could probably get it into good enough playing condition.
I think it's worth fixing up and playing until you get a better horn. You should check, though, with your techie. Some old horns--particularly clarinets--are so worn out, they can't be saved.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: weberfan
Date: 2008-09-29 21:40
Victoria,
The following is from an eight-year-old post on this Web site.
It may give you an idea of the age and provenance of your clarinet.
I agree with Jaysne that you ought to check with a tech. It may be too difficult or too expensive to bring up to snuff.
Here's the post:
"Buescher was taken over by Selmer in the early 60's. They still marketed the Buescher name for a few years after the take over. I think the Buescher name finally disappeared in the late 60's or early 70's. The Bundy sax was modeled after the Buescher Aritocrat alto after the take over. As far as the clarinets go, Selmer marketed the Buescher 400 and Buescher Aristocrat. These were essentially the same as the Signet and Bundy lines with the 400 being identical to the Signet and the Aritocrat being a Bundy. Now then, it sort of gets a little complicated because there were several model changes. Wood and plastic Bundy/Aristocrats were made as well as wood and plastic Signets/400's."
Post Edited (2008-09-29 22:27)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-09-30 06:08
Wow, taken over in the 60's? That might explain why I couldn't find much on it.
I'll take it to a techie and see what they think. I'm not having a problem playing it considering there's barely any cork left on the joints. It's a little funny going between upper register sometimes but that's more likely to be me out of practice.
Cheers all :D
On a side note (ha), what are the better clarinets to look for, intermediate player, not bothered about budget at this point...
V
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jeeves
Date: 2008-09-30 11:24
I'm in highschool. I just bought an E11 a month ago and I love it.
Jeeves
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-09-30 11:52
Also check out the Leblanc Cadenza and Tom Ridenour's Lyrique, both in Bb. Two very nice clarinets for the money.
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."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-09-30 13:04
I have not played the Leblanc Cadenza, but the Buffet E11 does not compare to Ridenour's Lyrique clarinet in any way. Tom's horn is better.
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: weberfan
Date: 2008-09-30 13:24
As for shopping for something new...
I don't know about the availability of Yamaha clarinets in Britain, but if you can, try play-testing a Yamaha 450 or 650. I'm a Buffet fan, but I think you might find these more congenial than a Buffet E11. At the customarily "discounted" retail price, they are comparable in cost.
The aforementioned Lyrique, by Tom Ridenour, gets highly favorable comment from many on this Web site. Both his models are reasonably priced.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-09-30 17:32
James, you are right about the Ridenour. I was pointing out that a person can get a great horn for the price of an intermediate-level instrument. Sorry if my statement was not as specific as I should have made it.
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."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2008-09-30 19:09
Victoria,
I have had several Venus clarinets on my bench and you're quite correct, no amount of money is worth the repair. The Buescher name was in use by the Selmer company for many years, in recent years (2000 to 2006) it was a name used on all exports but the Buescher clarinets from the 60s were good, solid student clarinets. Get that one fixed and have fun.
The LeBlanc factory has just been sold to Buffet, I have not had many details on what will happen but what I have been told is that the building in France, the people that work there and the tooling were sold to Buffet but Conn/Selmer will retain the name and continue to produce LeBlanc clarinets here in the USA.
There should be some decent bargains on LeBlanc products as dealers find out what the future of LeBlanc will be.
I have had Lyric clarinets on my bench as well, I have been serious unimpressed, period.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: myshineyblackjoy
Date: 2008-09-30 19:26
I have an older Buescher Aristocrat and for a student clarinet it is quite nice.Put a little money into and enjoy!!!!I am finding my self with many clarinets.Can one have too many clarinets? I think not!!!!
Pamela J.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2008-09-30 20:44
My impression is that Bueschers don't have the appeal that Bundys do on the used market, therefore I wouldn't put any more money into it. To upgrade today without spending a lot of money I'd go with a used Yamaha in good shape.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2008-09-30 21:55
BobD,
For a very short period of time the Buescher clarinet was different from the Bundy, that only lasted a year or so, after that the Bundy clarinets were Bueschers, same clarinet, same keys, same everything. As a matter of fact the older King clarinets were also Bundy/Bueschers too.
Oddly, I trust the markets about as much as I trust Ebay. Yamaha makes a wonderful clarinet, they play well and they are easy to repair.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-10-01 08:28
Thanks for all the replies!
I'm taking the old Buescher for a health check this weekend hopefully, will give you an update. As I said he's in pretty good shape considering, and appears to be playing fine. It may just need a good re-corking. It has to have been a good clarinet to have lasted this long, especially years ago when it was dropped on the floor more than it was played properly....
Yamaha I'm sure I've seen around, I'll keep that in mind. Buffet I assumed to be a good option, it's the one name I've heard over and over since I started.
Does anyone actually own one of these Ridenour's?
I need something that's not likely to bend out of shape if it gets knocked over (like the Venus does).
V
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-10-01 12:10
"Does anyone actually own one of these Ridenour's?"
Usae the search engine here. Any number of members have Ridenour Lyrique models. Orhers have earlier models (The Arioso and the TR 147). You can read all about their experiences.
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."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2008-10-01 22:16
"Does anyone actually own one of these Ridenour's?"
Yes, and some of us own more than one.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Victoria
Date: 2008-10-11 13:50
Well I've got my old Beuscher back. All he needed was a clean and new cork around one of the joints.
It is indeed quite an old clarinet, and apparently one of few seen around these days. It wouldn't be worth me going for something like a Yamaha 450/650 so I'm sticking with this one for now
Thanks for all the input!
V
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
