 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meezzio
Date: 2009-12-21 05:37
I stupidly stopped playing the clarinet when I finished high school 5 years ago, and for much of that time I have regretted that decision.
Now, I have decided to bite the bullet, and start doing what I loved so much those years ago - playing music. I have settled on purchasing an 'intermediate' class clarinet - and have narrowed it down to three choices, but am after some advice on which path I should take.
The three contenders are:
1. Buffet E11
2. Yamaha YCL-450
3. Leblanc Bliss 210
When I stopped playing clarinet in school I was at a Grade 5 ABRSM level. Which of these instrument will give me the best "bang for my buck" and help me progress to higher levels of proficiency?
Thanks in advance for your advice,
Matthew Shepherd
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2009-12-21 06:21
Since I haven't had too much experience or heard much about the Bliss clarinets, I HAVE had experience with the E11's and you can't really go wrong with them. Just make sure whatever you get, to obviously try a bunch before picking one. You'll get that click and link to the one that's for you.
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Author: Meezzio
Date: 2009-12-23 03:17
Are there any other opinions on a good choice for an intermediate clarinet? Right now, I am erring towards the E11, but would like any countering view points (if any).
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2009-12-23 03:54
An E11 is often described as a wooden B12. The material of the instrument and the effect of the material on tone is widely debated, but science behind it suggests it has no effect.
You will be prone to very low humidity in Melbourne, and wooden instruments do need careful handling and diligent maintenance to ensure they remain round on the inside and in one piece!
Within a couple of months of moving to Perth, and the humidity dropping, the rings of a Leblanc LL that I have had for ages in UK with no problems suddnely dropped all its rings! Hasty re-oiling solved the problem but it was a good illustration all the same for the effects of changing environment on my instruments that I had not previously encountered.
So the point of my addition to the thread is to add the Ridenour hard rubber clarinets to your list to consider, not that I have ever laid hands on one, but people on the BB who's opinions I have respect for often describe them as a professional level clarinet, at an intermediate level price made of an excellent, and hassle free, material
Chris
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2009-12-24 15:34
I have an E11 that I really like. Nice sound and playablity.
Leonard
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Author: TPeterson
Date: 2009-12-24 15:40
I play tested a Bliss clarinet for my local music dealer and have to admit that it has probably the most even sound and response of the group you've listed. Intonation isn't really any better than an E11, but as ShazamaPajama said, they sure look cooler! What kind of mouthpiece will you be using?
Tim Peterson
Band Director & Clarinetist
Ionia, MI
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Author: Meezzio
Date: 2009-12-24 15:52
Regarding mouthpiece: I have no idea. In school, I always had a fairly crummy plastic instrument - so I never took advantage of changing mouthpieces.
This is all very new to me, and I must say, I am very excited.
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Author: Wicked Good ★2017
Date: 2009-12-24 15:56
I have a wooden Buffet "Custom" model from Kessler Music that I use as my practice clarinet. It's really an E11 without the E11 logo, and with a funky, backpack-style case. It's got silver keys and an extra Eb/Ab left-hand lever.
I have no complaints about it. It plays really well, with fine intonation and a warm sound with good projection. It worked well in all groups I used it in when my R13 was in the shop, too.
Even though the Custom is an E11, it costs less. I think that Kessler has them on sale right now for less than $750, which makes them a darn good deal. I *think* that Weiner carries a very similar (if not identical) model.
FWIW, I have no affiliation with Kessler or Weiner - I'm just a customer of both.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-12-26 00:38
Out of the choices you list, the E11 would be my distant third choice. Probably a Bliss first, and then the Yamaha.
Something you did not mention, but well worth the consideration, would be one of Tom Ridenour Lyrique 576BC clarinets. I have had mine for a year, now. It plays beautifully, and is very noicely in tune. Tom goes over each instrument himself prior to selling them, and he is also the man who designs them. Great service at a very reasonable price ($1000 US give or take). http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html The lice thing about Lyriques is that they are made of hard rubber, so there is no worrying about the effects of weather. Unlike wood, they will not crack! They are also more stable than most intermediate wooden instruments.
As to mouthpieces, that's a highly personal choice, one best made by you and a teacher (if you decide to re-upo for some lessons). I would highly recommend taking at least a few lessons to get back into your stride, as it were. Go to a music store with a good selection of mouthpieces, where they will let you try them out. Make sure you have a selection of good reeds with you, too. I think all three of the clarinets you mentioned come with a mouthpiece. The one with the E11 will probably be fit for use as a doorstop, as Buffet usually ships garbage mouthpieces with their clarinets, but the other two will most likely have playable ones.
I have worked on a couple of E11s for friends, and was not impressed at all. Of course, those were the German ones. I ahven't seen one of the new French E11s.
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."
Post Edited (2009-12-26 00:43)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-12-26 01:25
Not that model, but I had a chance to go over the next one down in the lineup. Very nice. It was actually reminiscent of the Cadenza I had but sold a bit back. Nice tone and scale.
Jeff
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Author: BrianChau
Date: 2009-12-26 05:52
The mouthpiece that comes with a Bliss clarinet is the same as the one that comes with the Cadenza clarinet. (The Cadenza is an entry level professional instrument... and it is fabulous IMO.)
Brian Chau
University of British Columbia Concert Winds
Post Edited (2009-12-26 07:31)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-12-26 12:26
More important than the clarinet, is the mouthpiece. Don't know what you use, but if you are starting with NO equipment, it depends on whether the clarinet comes with a decent beginning mouthpiece or not (a quick search or question on this board will give you more than enough opinions on what that mouthpiece is). If whatever clarinet you end up with doesn't come with a decent mouthpiece, a good, cheap, beginner/intermediate mouthpiece to get chops back up on is a Fobes Debut. I tried it, I liked it. Pretty decent mouthpiece as far as quality. OUTSTANDING mouthpiece as far as value (bang for buck is awesome). Of course just my opinion.
What's your budget and do you have an aversion for a used instrument? Sometimes you can find a very good, used professional level clarinet for not much more than a new 'intermediate' clarinet. I once bought (and stupidly sold) a Selmer 10G (z-series) for around 800 bucks. It had been pinned three times in the upper joint and had tarnished keys. One of the best clarinets I ever owned.
Alexi
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2009-12-26 14:51
I just purchased a Ridenour Lyrique 146 clarinet and am very pleased with it. Yes, it's made of ABS plastic, however, it produces a nice dark, warm sound to my ears. The keywork appears to be very sturdy and heavily plated.
Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was Tom's ligature. It's made of metal, has an underneath length of felt that is placed on the inner portion of the butt of the reed and, like the Bonade, the metal structure of the ligature never touches the sides of the reed. Playing with his ligature was certainly far easier than the dark Rovner that I had.
I've had a hard rubber clarinet in the past and I didn't care for the extra weight of the instrument. IMO, the Lyrique 146 is extremely light and could easily be held for hours.
Right now, I'm awaiting delivery of Tom's RA professional mouthpiece. I played his HW mouthpiece and loved the tonal quality, however, I'm not accustomed to a very long facing on a mouthpiece and the RA is 2mm shorter (40 vs 36 in 1/2 mm steps).
And, to make things a little bit easier financially, Tom is offering 0% financing. All he asks is that the prospective customer give him a personal call so that he can talk things over on a private basis.
Oh, one more thing...the barrel is made of hard rubber and is hand reamed by Tom. Perhaps that's why it has a nice dark sound to me.
Just a few words about the case for the 146. It appears to be very sturdily built, the latches give a secure snap sound and feel and the inside has extra room for a polishing cloth, swab, reeds, cork grease, etc. I was quite surprised as to how much I could put into it.
I haven't checked the intonation yet, however, with Tom's many years of clarinet design experience with the Leblanc professional line of instruments, I'm expecting all to be well in that area.
Good luck in your search for a satisfying instrument and mouthpiece!
Dan Shusta
Madisonville, KY
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