 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-03-21 02:44
Dear "In-the-know,"
In a recent post someone asked if there are American made pro-line clarinets. Just days before, I was apprised of the existence of a Utah based company making pro-line clarinets, saxes, and trumpets called Cannonball.
Is there anyone out there who has any experience with these? Look at the weirdness extraodinaire on the website...... a clarinet with Backun like barrel, bloated english horn style bell, gold plated keys and all sorts of alternate keys such as the articlulated G# and something additional to the Eb/Ab lever yet to be determined by me from the photo.
I asked for info off the web and have yet to hear back from them on price.
odd
...................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-03-21 03:20
I'm aware of their saxes. They are not "American-made", they are assembled in Utah of parts made in China or Taiwan, I forget which. That said, their saxes have a pretty good reputation.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-03-21 05:53
Cannonball clarinets and saxophones are made in Taiwan.
Dave, are you sure they are assembled in USA? I'm not really sure how much exactly is done in USa, but I can probably find out.
Paul, in about a week I can probably check all of their models in an exhibition. I think they have a policy that they don't allow stores to sell or advertise them online, and will only direct you to your closest dealer.
Their saxophones have mixed reviews, though most are good.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-03-21 14:43
OK I found more information.
Both the cannonball saxophones and clarinets are built and assembled completely in Taiwan, except:
- Some of the barrels and bells are made in the factory in Utah (probably, not 100% sure).
- The saxophones arrive without the stone touchpieces, which are matched to the finish of the saxophone and glued in Utah.
In addition, although the saxophones come completely assembled from Taiwan, they are checked, adjusted and play tested by professional repairers and players in the factory in Utah before they send them to dealers.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-03-21 17:24
I remember seeing a video on youtube about the cannonball saxes. And apparantly they are getting some good reviews from the public. Might want to check sax on the web for that one.
As far as the clarinet, I must admit it SURE is pretty! I visited a local musicshop and saw a cannonball clarinet in it's case. Came with two bells, and two barrels. DEFINITELY odd shaped and different colored barrels and bells to the instrument (it reminds me as well as like you're standard "backun" barrel/bell styles). One bell and barrel had all sorts of ribs in it, and the other was a goblet bell and I can't remember the barrel.
I was salivating and if I wasn't there on business and had I had my mouthpiece and reeds with me, I would've been in a practice room in a minute getting a chance to try it. Unfortunately, when I stopped by was only a few days before leaving the area for a LONG time. But when I get back, I'll definitely take one for a spin! I'll be watching this thread and others to see what others think of them.
Alexi
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DixieSax
Date: 2009-03-21 18:27
I'm not impressed with cannonball clarinets at all. They are definately Taiwan built, and inspected in Salt Lake City.
This is also the case with their saxophones. Some of the saxes are not bad, but they're not my cup of tea.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryder
Date: 2009-03-21 20:31
I tried them a year ago at TMEA 2008 at the actual Cannonball booth. Now, you would expect a company to ensure that their instruments were in good working order for people to try. After all, they are trying to sell them! However, in my opinion, they were no good. The barrels and bells seem like gimmicks to me. Maybe I'm making a hasty generalization, but they didn't make a good impression on me.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-03-22 00:31
(Disclaimer - I sell clarinets, barrels, etc.)
Second hand - from sax friends is that they make very good saxes with a lot of innovative features (I am not into the stones but ...) and they did appear last year at TMEA but not this year. The clarinets that I tried were not well adjusted but they have the skill I believe to deliver a good product. The barrels and bells made of exotic hardwoods all have interesting designs but I did not switch them out onto my own clarinet for trial. As mentioned they sell through their dealers exclusively and not on the web as their business model. I guess that they want their dealers to showcase the instruments and not at the various clarinet conventions? Our local dealer that has Cannonball saxes decided not to carry the clarinet line so I will have to look elsewhere to give them a fair trial.
L. Omar Henderson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cosmicjello
Date: 2009-03-22 18:07
The Saxes are assembled in Taiwan and "hand tuned & adjusted" in Utah.
The clarinets are manufactured in China, then adjusted in UT.
Their saxes were once avoided but they've made improvements every year, I can only assume (and hope) their clarinets will follow the same trend.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-03-23 19:22
Thanks for the info.
I have not yet heard back from the good folks at Cannonball. Perhaps the e-mails must be screened by Hu Jintao personally.
..........many thanks boarders,
.....................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
