 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: lorna
Date: 2010-07-19 00:43
Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a secondhand Yamaha E Flat clarinet, model 681.
It has Nippon Gakki on it so I know it's made for the Japanese market. Does this make it any different from other 681 models made for U.S. / Europe?
Also, what pitch would it be made to - A=440?
As I'm buying by auction I cannot try first.
cook_lorna@hotmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2010-07-19 01:23
lorna wrote:
> It has Nippon Gakki on it so I know it's made for the Japanese
> market.
Nippon Gakki just means "Japanese musical instrument" (essentially"Made In Japan" - if you think about it, if it were exclusively domestic they'd use kanji, not romanji, to indicate the origin ), not necessarily made for the Japanese market. I've seen that on both domestic and exported Japanese instruments.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-07-19 07:26
"Nippon Gakki" was used for a long period before the company changed it's name to "Yamaha".
The logo of the three tuning forks has been around for a long time, but I the usage of "Yamaha" came about in 1987.
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/about/corporate/history/
Does the instrument have both "Nippon Gakki" and "Yamaha"?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-07-19 11:20
Most Yamahas up to a certain point in time (probably 1987) had the Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. info stamped/printed/engraved on them - the 60 and 600 series clarinets (Eb, Bb, A, alto and bass) had it forming a semicircle under the YAMAHA stamp.
The 60 and 600 series clarinets of this era (until the mid '90s) were Yamahas entry level pro instruments - in the same level as the Buffet R13. The more recent 64 and 650 clarinets don't have the same level of build as the older 60 series as they share the student model keywork, though the 600 series Eb, alto and basses still have the pro level build quality.
I think they might be built to 442Hz - but that does at least give a bit of leeway with tuning. I don't think you'll have any problems with this one, and then have it serviced well once you get it. Some people prefer the 681 Eb over the R13 Eb - I know of one player who tried several Ebs out and went with the Yamaha 681 over the others (being Buffet, Leblanc and Selmer).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lorna
Date: 2010-07-19 12:34
Hi .Thanks for replying.
The instrument says YAMAHA, Japan and Nippon Gakki in a semi circle written underneath.
Thanks,
Lorna
cook_lorna@hotmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lorna
Date: 2010-07-19 13:31
Hi Chris,
Thanks for replying. Your response has been really helpful. I already have 2 e flats (a B&H and a newer Yamaha) both at A=440, so to have 1 at 442 would be a bonus.
Thanks,
Lorna
cook_lorna@hotmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-07-19 13:49
Oh - If your other Yamaha is built to 440, chances are this older 681 may be 440 as well. I don't think it'll be all that different to the newer Yamaha Eb you already have.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-07-19 14:17
FWIW, I like my Yamaha 681 and use a Fobes extention, although it is a fine playing instrument "just the way it is".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
