 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-12-07 01:32
I'm thinking of getting an Eb horn. I'm attracted by the small size and portability--just the thing to take camping, cycling, hiking and kayaking. Plastic would be a good material for those activities. In your experience, which plastic Eb horns play evenly and in tune? I'll probably seek a used horn. Are some vintages worth seeking out or avoiding? If so, how can I distinguish the age? The good quality wood horns can be looked up by means of the serial numbers, but what about the plastic ones?
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Author: Phil
Date: 2000-12-07 02:16
the plastic Yamaha and vito horns are all good. I have played on both As far as any wood horns, and a used one..the Selmer lines from the 70 and 80's are good. I play one one at school that is acceptable. Just a point. buffet appearently makes an Eb now that comes apart in the middle, they did it somehow.....I know nothing of it and have never seen one, but i thinks it is pretty neat..
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-07 02:30
I've been satisfied with the plastic Selmer Bundy that I picked up at a pawn shop. With the stock mouthpiece it was very sharp but once I replaced that with a Vandoren 5RV it was fine.
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Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-07 03:07
I have experience with 3 Eefer's --- a YCL 681, a Selmer 9 & a Selmer Bundy. The Selmer is plastic, this is well known. However, this "Bundy" plays like a dream. Tunes quite decently w/a Hite mouthpiece that rivals equivalent custom "Beefer" mouthpieces for half the cost or much less! (Hite includes a ligature & cap, too)
Why? Is it just luck that this plastic clarinet plays so nicelyl? No. This Eefer's secret is in its **PADS** & regulation of the Keywork. The pads on this Bundy seal as perfectly as any I have ever seen or played. Easy to play.
I will warn you that, IMO, keywork really varies between models of Eefers. I don't have large hands, but then they probably don't meet the definition of small, either. (In a golf glove, I wear a (cadet) Large). I find the keywork on the YCL-681 the "tightest", the Selmer 9 in the middle, & the Bundy as very comfortable (for an Eefer, that is). mw
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-12-07 06:10
The horn on ebay is cute as a bug's ear, but I don't want to deal with having to learn the Albert system fingerings, so I'm going to let that one pass. Thanks for mentioning it though. I really appreciate everyone's input on this. Question for Mark: The YCL 681, is that a Yamaha? I'm not familiar with that model number.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2000-12-07 09:16
In my experience of servicing clarinets I can say that in many ways a Yamaha is designed and manufactured better than a Bundy or a Vito.
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Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-07 15:22
My Bundy is pretty old, don't know if its realistic to compare manufacturing standards. Bundy was *great* all-round name for quality. On the other hand, in spite of the known quality attributed to Japanese manufacturing, Yamaha Bb's still are having difficulty penetrating the professional ranks & advanced student market --- to the point that a Yamaha Bb in the U.S. today may very well be the worst economic investment that can be made. Buy a Yamaha & watch the resale price go in half (or worse) immediately.
The Yamaha Eefers seem to be an exception. But, that may have something to do with the Buffet (R-13) Eefer design & (stiff) pricing. Can't recall the number but it follows the same basic number scheme as the other Buffet models (1131 & 1231 for the Bb & A model R-13's)
KEN - Yes the "YCL" stands for "Yamaha Clarinet", so "YTS" would be Yamaha Tenor Sax, "YSS" for Yamaha Soprano sax, "YAS" for Yamaha Alto sax --- and so on.
The YCL-681 & Custom Models are, arguably, thought to be some of the finest Wooden Eefers made/sold in today's marketplace, particularly a value considering pricing at some Catalogue sellers.
Also, Ken, If I was going Kayaking or Camping, I'd be thinking *PLASTIC*. I don't know that acoustically the instrument would make that significant a difference given your proposed "recital hall". mw
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Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-07 17:40
"Bundy was *great* all-round name for quality."
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NOT !
e.g. Bundy was *NOT* a great all-round name for quality.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-12-08 05:45
Plastic is the preferred material in this instance. I'm unclear in some of the previous posts, whether the horns in question are plastic or wood. Does Yamaha make a plastic Eb horn? Does Buffet? I know Bundy and Vito must be plastic.
thanks for your help. I've enjoyed your comments.
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