 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-04-11 04:18
...After several years of not playing clarinet, I have decided to give it another shot. Between seventh grade and early college I played clarinet, oboe, trumpet and horn to one degree or another and was moderately proficient on my student Armstrong model before it got stolen in 2003.
Now I'm looking for a decent instrument to get started on again. I'm kinda poor at the moment so it will have to be a good deal, economically speaking. I'm debating whether it's worth saving up for a wood intermediate right away, and if so which one. I'm actually tempted to go plastic again because of weather and durability issues, but it would have to be a GOOD plastic model, something capable of producing a respectable timbre and with reasonable intonation and response. Have heard raving reviews of the Buffet B-12 but never tried one in person.
The Yamaha 20 series was popular when I was in middle and high school but I'm not sure just how good their reputation is. Again, I'm fine with a student clarinet as long as it gives plenty of room for growth.
What are your suggestions?
KSB
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Author: Woop Woop
Date: 2010-04-11 07:55
Leblanc's Bliss range has both composite and wood options and in terms of price s quality in my humble opinion it's one of the best out there in the intermediate range
Woop Woop
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-04-11 14:05
Buffet E11, Fobes 'Debut' Mouthpiece. Rovner 'dark' ligature. Vandoren blue box #3.0 reeds.
good private teacher.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-04-11 14:24
Before you buy anything, new or used, I'd encourage you to try a Yamaha 250, the successor to the YCL 20. A new 250 costs about $820, but you can find used models in good condition from roughly $250 to $500.
You might decide on the Buffet B12 or a Lyrique by Tom Ridenour or a Bliss model, by Leblanc, for example. All have been recommended here. When I returned to playing a few years ago, I had very good luck with a mint-condition, used YCL 250. Great sound, no hassle. Very good mechanics and intonation. I paid $295.
Used "20"s" can be had for less than $250 from the Web site clarinuts.com, which is a sponsor of this Web site.
Once you get back to playing, you may want to move up. My own preference would be to avoid spending money on an intermediate wood clarinet. Save your money for something a bit better. Acquiring the 20 or the 250, at less cost, will give you time to consider your options and shop around. Meanwhile, you'll be having fun.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-04-11 15:51
My budget hint for the cautious buyer would be:
- pay a visit to clarinuts (a sponsor of this fine Bboard) and
- invest the thusly saved money in a good teacher and a good mouthpiece (the latter of which starts at roughly $30..40 in the form of a Fobes Debut or a Behn Ouverture).
My best "cheap" instrument have been wooden Vito VSP clarinets, but apparently word has gotten around; now these are around $300 instead of the $29 and $49 respectively that I paid in That Auction Site some moons ago.
But I could settle with a Vito V40, a Noblet Artist or a Selmer Signet 100 if need be. (this all under the budget threat). In bad weather I still play a Bundy Mazzeo...
(I have no affiliations with either of the companies I've mentioned)
--
Ben
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2010-04-12 13:48
Excellant suggestions, Ben, having "found" a V G Noblet ]?45?] and acquaintance with several Selmer 100's keeps me happy and playing. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-04-13 04:53
I've seen a lot of Yamaha 20s around the local ads and Ebay (not the best places to look, granted, but it's definitely informing. ) My good friend recently got a Y20 to use since his semi-pro wood clarinet is in for serious repairs.
I seem to recall that the Y20 has an extremely compact case which can be either a blessing or curse depending on your preferences. Also that the Y20 has no wood finish. I wonder, does the wood finish have any effect on timbre? The only reason I ask is that I'm also a recorder player and Yamaha has a series of soprano and alto plastic recorders with a wood finish, and a couple of the recorder review sites actually say that these models have a slightly mellower tone than the ones without wood finish!
My old Armstrong had a wood finish but I wasn't sure just where it stood in relation to other plastic student horns. Seems to have given me a nice tone color but I'm not going to jump to conclusions.
Many of the Yamaha 20 ads are priced below $200, and some below $150. But I'm not sure of the quality. Is it possible to get a killer deal on the 20?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-04-13 06:46
If funds are a limiting factor, I'd look seriously at the Yamaha YCL20 (plastic) or the Selmer Signet 100 or one of its variations (Wood). In plastic low-cost instruments the Buescher Aristocrat and Selmer Bundy offer good value as student-level instruments, but the best low-price plastic horn I've ever found is a Henkin. These were made by Conn when it was run by Dan Henkin, and they are streets ahead of any similar offerings. I loaned mine to a friend who plays full-time when his horn was sick, and now he keeps trying to buy it.
Tony F.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2010-04-13 15:47
I luv to look at Kessler Music as part of the equation when looking for another instrument. Start here: http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/clarinet/clarinets.htm
There are some very low priced and nice instruments with a built in WOW factor. If $600 is too much, I'd follow Ben's recommendation above.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
Post Edited (2010-04-13 15:47)
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-04-14 06:51
Definitely going to be well below $600, even $300 is pushing it. And it pretty much has to be plastic, since I don't know where all I will be playing it and don't want to be stuck with the restrictions of wood horns. In outdoor settings or noisy gigs, the disparity in timbre shouldn't be much of an issue methinks. I can add on a good wood specimen later on - and I agree, the wood upgrade should be better than a mainline intermediate. Are there any quality semi-pro models that retail in the $1500-2500 range when new?
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