 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarchick
Date: 2010-07-25 02:49
Yippee I'm going to grad school in the fall. In the process of securing loans, etc. which is always fun. In this I can purchase a new set Bb and A.
Questions:
Where do you recommend starting to look?
Who has the best prices and service?
Thinking Buffet (performance major): New or Used?
Hand-select services: Grabner, Lisa, Weiner Music: Thoughts?
All suggestions and advice appreciated.
Post Edited (2010-07-25 04:47)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-07-25 12:19
Weiner has good prices .......but.......
I went for the corked upper joint option and found the at least one of the keys to not seal properly (I did a fix myself).
Bottom line, the bigger places can throw out low prices but you will find a more select group of horns with a place like "Lisa's."
Muncy Winds may be a decent compromise since the repair dept. is exceptional there.
...............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: andrewsong
Date: 2010-07-25 12:44
I bought my wonderful instrument at Lisa's Clarinet Shop. I went in and she was very helpful in halping me select one of the best Toscas. Her prices are the same as WWBW's I believe. She offers great counseling in buying new instruments.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-07-25 17:32
My advice would be to wait and involve your teacher in the selection process.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-07-25 18:59
I agree with Jacks suggestion. Ask if your teacher will help you choose a clarinet. The very least you need to go someplace that you can try out many, with Buffets. at least a dozen, and try several different models as possible. If you teacher won't, or can't go with you as I always did for my students, you need to go someplace that will allow you to take them on approval. There is so much involved in choosing a fine clarinet that you don't want to have to do it again in a few years, especially if you're still paying off the loan. I would never trust someone else in a store to choose my clarinet no matter how reliable they are unless you can try them yourself with a tuner because everyone has different tendencies. They may voice the throat tones lower or higher than you naturally do, same goes for the upper register. When all is said and done, the most important thing to look for is intonation and that's where a tuner and a teacher can come in very handy. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarchick
Date: 2010-07-25 19:41
Thank you for all of your advice and assistance. Do you recommend traveling to stores to try out more than having them shipped to my home? How much of a difference will altitude from different states, etc. affect? Will time of year make a difference? I know attributing the cost of travel into the horn however worth it if I can ultimately purchase better quality. Also wonder if a store like Muncy receives a better quality selection being just shipped to them vs. Lisa who personally picks them out. Also, Boone is a very difficult climate to deal with. Nothing is the same there as it is "down the mountain". Also wondering if worth it to finance a used horn set into my loan rather than new. What do you feel are the advantages either way? Thank you again for assistance. Lots of questions but worth asking when planning on throwing down at least $6k.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-07-25 19:44
Where are you going to school? (your isp says Winston Salem, is it going to be here in the area?) If so, Separk Music has a good supply of clarinets, as well as Muncy Winds, which isn't too far away. If you're going to be coming to UNCSA, I can put you in touch with a student of next year's (interim I believe) teacher who could give you advise to what he'd suggest, and put you in touch with him as well.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: andrewsong
Date: 2010-07-25 20:32
Regarding the quality of selection of clarinets, I don't know much about Muncy. However, Lisa goes to the Buffet factory herself and spends extensive time bringing back only the best instruments from arguably the bigget selection possible. All of Lisa's horns are top-notch. And considering, she is the Midwest's #1 Buffet dealer, I'm sure that you will have no problem finding an excellent instrument with her. I am vouching for her so strongly, because my, as well as my colleagues', experience was so pleasant and successful.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
