 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: xeys_00
Date: 2009-07-29 12:30
I am considering getting one of these. The price is good, but is the intonation good? Does it sound like a "real clarinet"? Having covered holes shouldn't change the sound, should it? As always, I look forward to all replies.
Post Edited (2009-07-29 13:24)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-29 12:52
I know there have been a few posts from people who have them. From what I remember of those posts, maintenance is a little more (more things to keep in adjustment), plus those chimneys need to be in VERY good shape in order to seal well. I don't remember anything being ecxlusively "bad" about them, except that if a key is too low, it might cover a bit of the venting and affect pitch. Vito's tend to have a pretty decent reputation overall, and seem to be one of those clarinets recommended for an 'outdoor' clarinet.
I think if you do a search on plateau vito, you'll probably come up with a few good hits.
Any chance of having a trial period for the instrument before committing to purchasing? I don't even bother dealing with people/companies who won't offer a trial period because tuning and personal preferences can be so particular a thing.
Alexi
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-29 12:59
If it's at the local shop, try it out in the shop and make an initial impression there. If everything seems fine, then I would ask if you could possibly try it out in an ensemble group. Maybe if they guarantee a refund less a reasonable 'stocking/sanitizing' fee. It may sound great in a music shop's practice room, but not give you what you need for whatever group you might be in.
And if you have a teacher, see if you can bring it to a lesson and have that person look it over/test it.
Alexi
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Author: xeys_00
Date: 2009-07-29 13:25
The shop would have to special order it. So, I'm not sure what they would be willing to do. I'll ask.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-29 17:31
You may need to have the LH thumbplate opened up to make the F# and G speak clearer. This is done by both bending the thumb plate so it opens more and also shortening the thumbplate foot to alter the leverages so the thumbplate opens more than the G vent. But see how it plays first before doing this.
If they have used the same key pieces for both ring key and plateaux models (which I suspect they do), the LH thumbplate foot may need this modification that any decent woodwind specialist can do. It may also help to have a cork pad fitted in the thumbplate as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2009-07-29 18:29
We rent the plateau clarinets (Vito) and sell them as well. They do play fine and you should have no problems with the instrument, except what Chris P has just mentioned.
With every one I get here new, I must take the time to readjust many of the keys because they don't open far enough, many notes are fuzzy, won't speak well or are just uncentered. That goes from the top to the bottom.
I will put a few cork pads in to help that but I always end up opening up the keys carefully to allow the air to escape properly.
They do require more care, since there are pads everywhere you need to have it serviced a little more often but it will not be that bad. If you get the chance to play one before purchase just sit and play up and down the register. If some of the notes don't seem to play clearly or they seem fuzzy it's normal for a new plateau but it can be adjusted to play very well.
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