 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2011-03-31 12:09
I'm thinking of getting an Alto for fun. What is a decent brand that sells for cheap? I'm thinking Bundy but I'm not too sure on those. Any input?
Post Edited (2011-03-31 12:11)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-03-31 13:52
You can get older Selmers on eBay for decent prices. Look for the Series 9, which was probably the best alto ever made.
Bundy is OK for hacking around.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-03-31 14:32
Watch out for old Leblancs as chances are they may have knackered bells and split tenons. Not that they're unrepairable, it just adds to the hassle and prolongs restoration.
I found a Yamaha alto on eBay and while it was relatively expensive in comparison to used Leblancs (it was £1500 which is somewhere around $2500) it is a great instrument but will need a repad as it was repadded fairly recently with sticky pads before I bought it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-03-31 14:43
Depending on how big your hands are the Bundy's can be difficult to play. The right right hand keys are open-hole and have a wider spread similar to what you will find on most bass clarinets. Players with smaller hands can have trouble dealing with covering the larger toneholes due to the wider spread.
If you just want a cheap alto to mess around with I'd suggest looking for a Vito as these use a completely closed-hole design similar to bass clarinets, making them a bit easier to play. You should be able to find one for <$200 on the auction site but be aware that it will likely need pads.
As Ken and Chris mentioned however the cost of used professional alto clarinets is not all that much more than what the used student models are selling for so these should be considered as well.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2011-03-31 16:54
I've got all the alto's mentioned so far (except a french Selmer, out of my price range) plus several Kohlerts. The Bundy is a good starter, built like a tank, but the open holes require medium to large hands.
I like the Leblanc and Noblet grenadilla models, and the Kohlerts. Throat area cracks are common in alto's, but are ok (stable)when properly repaired.
My current favorite is a lovely silver-plated metal Kohlert, that I can take to outdoor camping and 'rendezvous' events. It cost $500+ though. Wood Noblets and Leblancs can be had for $300-400 depending on condition. The Selmers I've seen go for more like $500-900.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-03-31 23:07
I have a humble Bundy. The open holes are not as bad as you would think; it's probably easier if you already have a clarinet background (aka precise finger landing) than coming from Sax. It's a nifty instrument, I like it a lot.
--
Ben
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-04-01 01:51
My first was a Conn from the 60's. I have a LeBlanc now. but as far as price goes most all of the models listed can be had reasonably online.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-04-01 05:16
I probably have average size hands, coming from a clarinet with open holes, but don't like the open rings of some altos. I would tolerate one if I had to. I have a professional but very old Leblanc model alto which is ok but not great. I've tried a much newer one some years ago (I think a 90s model) but don't remember enough to say anything. I have a Pedler Custombuilt which is better than the old Leblanc is some ways but worse in others. My favorites are Buffet and Selmer altos and prefer newer ones but the older ones I've tried were also good. Depending on what you find and what you need/want, older ones are often a better value overall.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-04-01 13:41
I'd go for the used pro instrument. Used pro-quality alto clarinets sell for proportionally lower prices than other used pro-quality clarinets because the altos aren't nearly as much in demand. My 1979 pro Selmer (Paris) is a good instrument.
Be careful about used altos, though, and make sure you know exactly what you're getting before you hand over the money. That's because not a lot of students own their own alto clarinets, so the odds are pretty high that a used alto is a former school instrument. The schools generally hang onto any of their instruments that stay in excellent, playable condition. Schools are much more likely to clean out the band room now and then by getting rid of the wrecked old beaters. But don't let me scare you off, because I'll bet you can find a good deal on a used pro-quality alto if you're choosey and you take your time.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2011-04-01 20:49
It sounds to me like the Vito or pro Selmer is the way to go. Thanks guys.
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