 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2010-04-12 19:38
I am considering getting an eefer, and since I perform mainly outdoors, the use of a non-wood clarinet is an absolute must.
I'm currently aware of the Bundy, Vito, and Yamaha plastic Ebs, but haven't had the opportunity to play any of them.
Is there any compelling reason to select one over the others? Or are there other models out there worth seeking out?
I am leaning toward a Vito at this time, having provided piano accompaniment to a soloist performing on a Vito Eb. To my ears, the Vito a sweet, delicate tone that I found quite pleasing.
Sigh, if only Ridenour offered an Eb model. I recently acquired a Lyrique 576BC Bb clarinet and it is an absolute delight to play.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-04-12 19:48
Is the Yamaha plastic Eb clarinet a Bundy stencil? We only get the pro model (600 and 800 series) Yamaha Ebs here in the UK, and have only seen plastic Yamaha Ebs (and altos) offered in the US.
I used to have a plastic Vito Eb which played pretty much like the wooden Noblet, but didn't have as much depth of tone as the Noblet Eb - it was built like a tank, just like the Noblet Eb.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2010-04-12 19:53)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2010-04-12 20:14
I toured the LeBlanc factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin about 20 years ago, and Yamahas were being made there alongside instruments bearing marques from the LeBlanc family of brands. If the Yamaha Eb is indeed a stencil, I'd assume it would be a rebadged Vito.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-04-12 20:44
That would make sense as Yamaha made flutes, piccolos and saxes all stencilled Vito (as well as various Holton brass instruments) so collaboration between the two companies wasn't a one-sided affair.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-13 14:45
I own a vintage Bundy Resonite effer that plays almost as well as my Yamaha pro level 681 with it's Fobes extension in place. In fact, it has a bigger sound--as is the Selmer trademark--the only big difference being in the upper register notes and ease of control. The Bundy is harder to play in tune that the Yamaha, but not impossible. I could play either instrument with my symphonly orchestra and no one would notice the difference. FWIW, I have never played a Vito clarinet--effer, bass or soprano--that I liked. They just don't have the dynamic flexability or sound that I need to play music. If I were you, I would choose any Bundy over any Vito every time--especially the Eb clarinet. BTW, the Bundy Resonite bass clarinet is a pretty good instrument as well.
I should make it clear that Bundy is the student line of instruments produced exclusively by Selmer.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2010-04-13 16:43
Thanks, William, those are exactly the insights I was looking for.
Incidentally, I started my clarinet career on a Bundy bass. After trying other makes of basses over the years, I have to agree the Bundy bass is a solid performer.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-04-13 16:48
I have a Vito that I think is from around 1990. The tone is good except a slightly stuffy throat Bb (though I compare with a Bb clarinet with especially good Bb). Intonation is ok, not bad. If you get a Vito that is similar to mine you'd need a longer barrel than the original which I think is 40mm.
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Author: LindaSLP
Date: 2010-04-14 01:44
I just bought a Bundy Eb (age unknown - only number is 1424, which I think is a model number rather than serial number). I haven't played Eb since college (35 years ago). Should I just start by getting a good mouthpiece? You just use your extension on your Yamaha, is that correct?
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-14 14:58
Are you talking to me!?! :>) Ok--failed attempt at morning humor......the answer is, yes. In fact, I played my Yamaha 681 with the Fobes extension in our BJSO symphony last evening and the conductor said, "Very nice". In my opinion, the mouthpiece is EVERYTHING. What I am using is a vintage Selmer HS** with a cut-down Forestone 3.5 reed and an original Winslow lig. It plays especially well in the altissimo range for me, unlike my custom Charles Bay mpc or the stock Yamaha that came with the horn. My extension would not fit my Bundy nor would I really find it necessary as the scales is quite even over the break--at least on my old instrument. That number is most likely the serial as the Bundys do not have "model" numbers.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-04-15 17:14
kdolan01 wrote:
> amati?
None in plastic, unfortunately. I wish I had the opportunity to try their regular woody, but till then I shall be happy with my Bundy.
--
Ben
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2010-04-15 20:36
Hi Ursa -
Please e-mail me off-line. I can help you.
John
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: BobD
Date: 2010-04-15 21:30
Just be aware that the Kenosha plant may not be operative currently.....I have no idea where Vito horns are made today.
Bob Draznik
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-04-16 00:26
BobD wrote:
> Just be aware that the Kenosha plant may not be operative
> currently.....I have no idea where Vito horns are made today.
Last I heard is that they outsourced the business to the Klingons. Or were it the Ferengi?
Now you got me confused.
--
Ben
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-04-16 07:48
This is an interesting thread, mainly because I also would gravitate toward plastic for an eefer. It's the Bb where most of us need to allocate more money towards, since we'll be using it more often.
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2010-04-26 19:43
Hello All -
In an effort to clear up any confusion, below is an up to date breakdown of the Vito, Bundy and Selmer situations.
• Early Yamaha clarinets were manufactured by Vito in Kenosha the same as Vito saxophones were once manufactured by Yamaha. This relationship is no longer in place and neither manufactures for the other.
• The Bundy name has been leased to a third party and is no longer manufactured by or associated with the Selmer Company or Conn-Selmer. Any new Bundy clarinets on the market have been sourced by a U.S. retailer.
• The two current U.S. made eefers are the Vito L7214EF and the Selmer 1405. Both are made in the Conn-Selmer Woodwind Center in Elkhart, IN (the same plant manufacturing Bliss and Leblanc).
In my highly biased opinion, both clarinets will work well for outdoor playing. I prefer the sound of the Selmer straight from the box as the standard HR mouthpiece takes off a bit more of the plastic clarinet edge than the Vito plastic mpc.
Cheers -
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2017-01-13 02:29
I recently scored a very nice condition plastic Armstrong Eb. It's nothing on my old Leblanc Esprit but plays quite nicely and feels sturdy and smooth under the fingers. Much better than my daughter's Kinder Klari!
This eefer I can find little about online but apparently it is a model number 4070? Like this one:
http://www.musicways.co.nz/customer/product.php?productid=474
Serial is 7073xxx so I believe that puts it in the 1990s or 2000s?
Looking at similar age plastic Eb Artleys, Bundys, etc. they all look rather the same to my eye. Same keywork, some bells, same hardcases...
Was Conn-Selmer/UMI stenciling the one plastic Eb for their many brands for a while there do you think?
Vaughan
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2017-01-14 05:57
Both of my Amatis Bb and Eb are pro models, have played them for a number of years with no issues, I do enjoy playing them especially my Eb. they both speak with ease and free blowing with very little resistance which works for me
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Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2017-01-16 00:19
Thanks, however, I was specifically enquiring (or continuing the OPs initial enquiry) about plastic Eb clarinets.
In myb case especially the similarity in construction of Armatrong/Bundy/Artley, etc.
Vaughan
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