 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2010-12-05 05:31
Hello all. I have sort of a weird dilemma that I hope someone can maybe help me out with, info wise. I currently own a Buffet Festival Clarinet in Greenline (Bb). However, when I first purchased the instrument, I was indeed younger and not really as serious about clarinet as I am today, a current music major. So, I basically just purchased the instrument without trying it out or comparing it with other horns. Nowdays, I play other clarinets and like them so much more than my clarinet that I have been considering trading in my horn, and paying the difference for a new one. Now my question is - besides the wonderful Walter Grabner (unless anyone knows if he does trade-ins) and WWBW, does anyone know any other places that will let you do trade-ins for credit on a new clarinet? Also, if so, do you know anyone that is able to hand pick or has a selection of hand picked clarinets for sale, with a trade-in/swap policy? I know this may seem odd and weird, but that's what I have been considering for a while. This is what I want. I know that some of you are asking why? and what's wrong with what I have now. But, I know there are better clarinets out there than mine that I would love to have, and this seems like a viable option. Let me know if you guys have any info for me. Thanks a bunch!
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Author: ISM
Date: 2010-12-05 05:40
David,
How about giving your Festival to RDG Woodwinds in LA to sell on commission and picking out a new Buffet clarinet. They had many available to try when I went. I guess this assumes that you can afford to buy the new one without having the cash from the old one immediately.
Imre
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2010-12-05 07:17
Imre,
I hadn't really thought of that. I think that I did ask RDG one time, but they only do the consignment sales. I actually forgot to ask you guys about Lisa's Clarinet Shop. I talked to a friend of mine that had a very good experience with her, and she allows trade ins for new horns on her approval. Anyone have any experience with her?
Post Edited (2010-12-05 07:17)
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Author: ISM
Date: 2010-12-05 08:24
Yes, David, consignment--that's the word I wanted instead of commission.
As you are an experienced player, it seems to me that you are better off picking your own instrument if you have that luxury rather than having someone else do it.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-12-05 09:43
>> do you know anyone that is able to hand pick or has a selection of hand picked clarinets for sale <<
Just one thing about the "hand picked" clarinets. Be careful with simply letting someone, anyone, pick a clarinet for you. You could be lucky and get a great clarinet but who knows. For example, I recently checked a couple of clarinets chosen by professional players in big orchestras. They were really excellent, but definitely not instruments I would choose for myself.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-12-05 14:29
Clarimeister...I don't know for sure whether Walter Grabner deals routinely in trade-ins or on-consignment sales, though he does offer used instruments on his Web site. It may be that you'd prefer to walk into a well-stocked music store near you and pick out a new clarinet.
But speaking soley as a satisfied customer, I can recommend Walter Grabner's services highly. I bought a new R13 from him in June. It turned out to be the first one he sent me on trial, and I loved it right away. So did my teacher. No reason to send it back and ask for others. (Since I had played some of my teacher's Buffets from time to time, I was aware of what I wanted.) So do check with Walter as you start your search.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-12-05 14:56
Lisa's clarinet shop accepts trades, and many smaller shops may accept trades for some credit. I know I called up Muncy and they said they would evaluate my clarinet to give me credit towards a clarinet of theirs.
Many places would do it. You'll probably still have to pay some amount of difference, but it's worth checking.
Alexi
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Author: William
Date: 2010-12-05 15:40
Lisa is a very accomplished clarinetist and hand-selects the finest clarinets from the Jacksonville, Fl, Buffet Facility during frequent, regular visits. I purchased my Buffet E11 C clarinet, my Buffet Prestige low C bass clarinet and a great Selmer S80 soprano saxophone (from her old IMS store in Evanston). She is "up front" and fair with her prices and will treat you "right". If any clarinet dealer knows clarinets, it's Lisa.
William--very satisfied customer of Lisa.
btw--if I were you, I would keep the Buffet Greenline for "outside" use or sell in privately on the auction site where you might get more $$'s than as a trade-in.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-05 15:51
It'd advise sending your Festival to a "tweaker" such as Kristin Bertrand http://www.woodwindworkshop.com/. She specializes in Buffet and can tell you whether it's worth it to have the work done.
In picking a new clarinet, the top 10 things to look for are:
1. Intonation;
2. Intonation;
3. Intonation;
4. Intonation;
5. Intonation;
6. Intonation;
7. Intonation;
8. Intonation;
9. Intonation; and last, and most important,
10. Intonation.
Only when you find an instrument that's really in tune can you afford to think about evenness of scale, response and all those other things.
(1) INTONATION. This is by far more important than everything else combined. A clarinet that plays out of tune is worthless, no matter how fine its other characteristics. While intonation is of course affected by mouthpieces and reeds, and slight errors can be adjusted, it has to be very nearly perfect to begin with. Bring an electronic tuner and a friend to watch it, so you won't make adjustments to accommodate flaws in the instrument. Be ruthless. If you have a dozen new clarinets in front of you, you can probably eliminate half of them on this criterion alone.
(2) EVENNESS OF SCALE. Each note must be just as loud and have the same color as the ones on either side of it. You must be able to play without notes popping out or being dull. Test by slowly playing small segments of a chromatic scale -- 4 or 5 notes at a time. Again, after-market tweaks can make small improvements, but it has to be right at the outset.
(3) QUICK RESPONSE -- the ability to make wide slurs without blips, begin any note cleanly and move from note to note quickly and seamlessly.
(4) OTHER QUALITIES. Only when you eliminate instruments that don't have the first three qualities can you go on to the rest. In no particular order, I think of beauty of tone, flexibility of tone (i.e., the ability to make many good tones), a comfortable amount of resistance and physical ergonomics.
(5) FINAL DECISION. Finally, you depend on gestalt -- how well the instrument accommodates to how you play and how easily it lets you find new ways to play. An instrument can have every quality described above and still not reach out and embrace you. You need to feel good when you play it -- like an extension of your body and breath.
See also several excellent postings by David Hattner on the string at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=52277&t=52179
If you can afford it, Guy Chadash http://www.chadashclarinet.com/ makes superior clarinets that play like the best early-series R13s.
Ken Shaw
Ken Shaw
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-12-05 15:56
Ken Shaw's gentle suggestion that intonation would be something to consider first and foremost in a new clarinet bears more than serious consideration. In fact, it was the very first thing I checked..and rechecked...after I took delivery of my R13 earlier this year.
I once tried to retrofit, overhaul, re-imagine and re-overhaul a 55-year-old Evette & Schaeffer clarinet. It's a lovely piece of wood, after you get used to the fact that the keys still move around now and then.
But it will never, ever play in tune. It didn't when I bought it and after a king's ransom worth of work, it still doesn't. Poorer and wiser I. Listen to Ken Shaw.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-06 03:15
I just picked up one heck of an "A" clarinet from RDG in Los Angeles. They take in trades. They have a very good supply of horns. You can most likely work out something in which they will send you sample horns until you find the perfit horn. They have 2 excellent repairmen there as well. 323 463-4930.
Use a good tuner, such as Korg or Boss.
I actually wrote to Buffet in Florida thinking I may fly there to pick out a horn, but after testing some at Bob Gilberts, (RDG) the horns were so good, in my opinion there isn't a need to go there or have someone pick a horn out for you. If you are in the Chicago Symphony or something, a trip to Florida may be worth the effort.
Back east, in Maryland there is another really great store called Chuck Levins Washington Music Center.
Another very nice man in the New York area is Mark. He has a decent supply of horns. mark@pwicnj.com
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2010-12-06 07:03
Bob, I live within driving distance to RDG (about 45 minutes). I love going there for big repairs or just randomly to try out stuff. I couldn't remember if they did trade-ins or not. Last I checked they said they can only sell on consignment or something like that. But, I'll double check with them again. I really kind of don't want to sell on consignment for some odd reason. If I can trade in with them I'll definitely go that route, otherwise I think I might definitely try Lisa's shop. Thank you everyone for the advice and suggestions! I greatly appreciate it!
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