 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NewBandDad
Date: 2009-01-28 00:00
Hi - The good news is my 4th grader is doing well in his 3rd month in band with his plastic Jupiter clarinet. But now that the min rental period is over and he's demonstrated consistent interest, I'd like to forgo renting. My delimma is whether to further invest in this Selmer 1401 or chalk it up to a loss and move on to something else. Apologies for the long post - but I thought the background would be helpful.
Bckgd:
Given my current unemployment situation, I'd like to keep the overall outlay down while providing a good instrument that excites my youngster and propels his success. My total target outlay is about $200 and I'd like to avoid throwing good money after bad if that's possible. This needs to be a viable solution for at least the next 1.5 school years to be breakeven.
Research here and on the net steered me to 4 main plastic horns recommended for beginners - Selmer (Various units including the 1401 and cl300), Yamaha (YCL-250), LeBlanc (Vito) and Buffet (B12). Have also read that most original mouthpieces are not effective and a Hite Premier ($18-22) or Forbes Debut ($25-30) would be better.
Recently I bought a used Selmer 1401 for $60; only to find it leaks like a sieve as many pads are rotten and a tenon cork is shot. Unsurprisingly it does not play. On the upside, no chips and cosmetically it looks good. The keys seem to mechanically work ok save the A key which think *might* be bent down only because the pad doesn't rise very much compared to the Jupiter. A local music tech advises a complete overhaul (his price $175).
Questions:
In terms of sound, we wondered how well a restored 1401 will play and sound? Interestingly, the music instructor played her plastic LaBlanc of about the same vintage w/Vandoran-B45mpc vrs. the students Jupiter currently used. We agreed the Jupiter sounded more like a woody.
Perhaps I'm wrong but I suspect that many of the 'deals' out on eBay, etc. would require similar levels of attention. So bottom line, what are your thoughts on whether I should I go ahead with a complete overhaul for this 1401 and upgrade the mouthpiece/ligature? Would I come out ahead or should I ditch this one in favor of another?
Lastly, if I pursue this 1401, to make this work I'd need to find a good overhauler for about $100 inclusive; is that possible? (suggestions welcome).
Thanks for your thoughts and Best Regards,
Lewis - Fairfield Cty, CT
CT
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-01-28 07:15
When on a budget, I'd steer clear of instruments that "need to be made".
Look at Clarinuts (a sponsor of this board), you'll find some nice deals for less than $200...including some warranty.
I'd get one of these, and who knows, maybe you can trade your 1401 in for a reasonable price. Asking won't hurt.
--
Ben
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Author: NewBandDad
Date: 2009-01-29 02:30
Wish I had known about Clarinuts before I had gone this far down the path and will take that suggestion seriously. Thank you.
Update on the Selmer 1401: Surprised the heck out of me. My 4th grader got the horn to play some notes tonight by using the stock Jupiter mouthpiece (whereas the instructor couldn't get anything)! Was able to play a partial scale; The A note down to about C/B but no lower (as mentioned earlier the tenon at between joints is shot and both leak like a sieve). I guess that throws a little water on the bent A key theory. And does this change the situation somewhat as Billy Crystal say's in The Princess Bride, 'there's a difference between partially dead and all dead'?
Thx,
Lewis in CT
CT
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-30 01:00
My son plays on a B-12, which I got on the auction site. It was described as having been newly repadded, and we were delighted when we got the instrument. Paid about $165 for it. Just check the seller's feedback.
I played a Vito as a kid, which was okay, but I think the Buffet brand is a higher quality instrument, and one that may take him through middle school and perhaps even to the marching band in high school if he sticks with it.
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Author: SheriKae
Date: 2009-01-30 04:21
When I was a child I played a plastic Yamaha. No matter what I did to that thing it played. I used it from Middle School, High School, and some college and it ALWAYS played. For a budget and quality I would look into a used second hand Yamaha (student level). I still have mine that was made in 1976 and had it overhalled after being in storage for nearly 20 years and it looks and plays like a new plastic clarinet. Only cost me $130 for a complete oveerhall, cleaning and polish at a local music store.
SheriKae
SheriKae
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