 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tenorman
Date: 2001-01-14 02:00
I must admit, I am mainly a sax player. However, I do play in a clarinet trio, and I would like to expand the places in which I use clarinet. However, I'm leaving high school in June, and after that I won't have access to a clarinet unless I buy my own. Since I borrow even the mouthpiece from school, I kind of need a complete setup. I'm not a beginner, just someone who needs to get equipment who's been playing for a while. I can't afford an absolute top of the line clarinet (I'm assuming clarinets are as expensive as say a Series III alto or a Reference 54 tenor), but I don't really want a beginner level machine either. As for mouthpieces, I'm willing to spend pretty much as I have to to get the best there is. Certainly with the sax, I've found the mouthpiece to be far more important than the instrument I throw it on, so I'm willing to spend the necessary amount here. Any suggestions, or ideas on where to get started would be greatly appreciated.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-14 02:18
I'd suggest looking at used instruments then. In instruments go with Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer, or Yamaha. Used pro models in very good condition can sometimes be found for under $1000 and used intermediates in very good condition for under $500. The Buffets, although actually no better than the others, will generally go higher as they have been very smart in their marketing over the years and are more widely known and recommended. However on the other hand, this means that you can find some real bargains in used pro Leblancs, Selmers, and Yamahas.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-14 03:04
Hard to go wrong with one of the Intermediate Yamahoppers, 'specially if you double only on occasion...
While you have a teacher's undivided attention, dig into getting a viable Mouthpiece and reed setup. This is likely harder to do than find a decent horn.
I like vintage horns, they cost less and can be very good players.
I play the Conn 444N for jazz, when loud is good. My Buffet gets the lion's hare of playing time, at my teacher's urging.
If you like the mpc you're borrowing, and it works for you it may be worth having.
Check out the Legere synthetic reed, it's consistent and won't dry out on the stand.
anji
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-01-14 03:07
You might check the classified's here on the BB and if you find nothing you like drop a note (off line) to J.Butler. I'm told that he usually had a couple of good horns he has repaired that will be in tip-top. (Not an advert--just a statement of previous comment from other BB users)
Bob A
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-01-14 03:53
If you can swing about $1600 which is half the price of a series III you can get a new Leblanc Pete Fountain model which is a pro level clarinet with a large bore and a big sound.
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Author: Tenorman
Date: 2001-01-14 05:12
I appreciate the information you've given me. Thank you.
However, the ideas given also give me a few more questions.
If I buy an older clarinet, is there any risk of it burning out? I read somewhere (may have been here) that some claim this can happen. Don't get me wrong, I love vintage instruments. I just picked up a 1925 martin, and it has a bigger sound than anything else I've played. I'm just not sure if the clarinet might be different.
About intermediate clarinets, are they much better than beginner models? I know that with saxophones, we usually skip the intermediate models because they're just slight variations on the beginner ones. Are clarinet intermediate models different in this respect?
Finally, if I go with a clarinet that has a larger bore and a few extra keys like a low Eb, and some alternative keys, will that make the instrument unsuitable for ensemble playing? I would love ot have a bigger bolder sound for jazz, but I'm not sure if I'd be willing to give up my ability to play classical music well for that extra power.
Sorry for all the questions being posed at once here. Thanks again for your suggestions.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-14 12:28
Tenorman wrote:
>
> If I buy an older clarinet, is there any risk of it burning
> out? I read somewhere (may have been here) that some claim this
> can happen. Don't get me wrong, I love vintage instruments. I
> just picked up a 1925 martin, and it has a bigger sound than
> anything else I've played. I'm just not sure if the clarinet
> might be different.
Personally I don't believe in "blow out" as it is called myself. The key to a good quality used clarinet is how well it was maintained over the years. So if you go the used route, get an experienced person to help you check them out and also to play it so that you can hear it. Of course play it yourself too.
Used instruments are simply a way to get instrument at a lower cost. If you can afford a new one that's fine too as you get a warranty and so on.
>
> About intermediate clarinets, are they much better than
> beginner models? I know that with saxophones, we usually skip
> the intermediate models because they're just slight variations
> on the beginner ones. Are clarinet intermediate models
> different in this respect?
There are generally two or more intermediate instruments in any makers line. The higher end intermediates are often pushing the pro instruments in ability. By careful testing and selection, one can find an instrument that will be all but indistinguishable from its pro level brother.
>
> Finally, if I go with a clarinet that has a larger bore and a
> few extra keys like a low Eb, and some alternative keys, will
> that make the instrument unsuitable for ensemble playing? I
> would love ot have a bigger bolder sound for jazz, but I'm not
> sure if I'd be willing to give up my ability to play classical
> music well for that extra power.
That is hard to say. The player's ability plus choices of mouthpiece/reed/ligature will have a great deal of influence on whether it will work well for them in the classical ensemble. All you can do is play test one and decide for yourself.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-14 12:31
By the way, many of us on this board play older instruments. My primary clarinet is a Leblanc from the early/mid 1950s and my backup is a Pruefer from 1940.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-01-14 13:17
I play a Yamaha 62. I service all sorts. I don't think my audiences would notice if I played a well-adjusted, plastic (cheapest in the range) Yamaha. Keep things in perspective.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-01-14 17:34
buying a clarinet is like getting marriage. No matter how great she/he is; one always wonder if they got the best. On the other hand when you get a bad one; you know right away.
Hope you get a great one. It may take a little courting. Take your time you may be togeather a long long time.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-01-15 14:31
I would recommend the Leblanc Sonata, which is a high-quality intermediate instrument, which goes for under $1,000 (last time I looked). WW&BB used to advertise it as an ideal instrument for people playing clarinet as a second instrument. I had one, and found it very free blowing, nicely in tune and having a big enough sound to make an impact in a jazz ensemble. I much prefer my present Buffet Crampon RC for its delicacy, but I did have a lot of fun with the Sonata. I think there was a debate some time back on blown out clarinets. You might like to do a search in the archives here. I would say you can get some wonderful old clarinets and some dreadful new ones.
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Author: lynn
Date: 2001-01-16 02:52
Midline Leblancs, Yamahas and Buffets are really not bad at all - I usually tell people who want to play clarinet on the side that Buffet E-11,12, or 13s are really nice for the money. E-11s run $600 or so from Weiners or Muncy. They are the bottom line woods from Buffet, and really do have a decent sound.
As for the mouthpiece, I would suggest you try out a bunch of different ones to see what kind of feel you like the best. I am not sure what kind of playing you do, but it's worth just playing around to see what you like. A lot of jazzers like the old crystal O'Briens, but be careful because they do chip very easily. And check out all the VanDorens. They are the most consistent mouthpieces out there.
As for ligatures, Gigliottis seem to serve most everyone well. Some don't like Rovners (I don't unless I have a really soft reed), as they tend to deaden the reed.
I do some sax playing on the side and I can tell you that my favorite sax mpcs are an old Woodwind and an Otto Link that I've just found. The Woodwind most sax players wouldn't like, probably, maybe because I'm a clarinet player I'm more open minded to them. I find that they are really deep and have what might be considered a dark tone.
If you go with an older clarinet, those Selmer Centered Tones are really nice. Remind me a bit of the 10Gs, they have the same feel. I have a student whose grandfather gave her his horn from the 50s, and it is REALLY nice.
Lynn
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Author: Ammishaddai
Date: 2001-01-16 03:57
[Ad deleted. See following post. Remember, the Classifieds are free. Mark C., Webmaster
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Author: Ammishaddai
Date: 2001-01-16 04:07
sorry about the above post...didn't realize till it was too late that this board isn't for commercial posts... my apologies....
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