 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: stelrosa
Date: 2011-04-18 23:00
I am looking for some advice on an instrument for my son. I played clarinet many moons ago into college, but don't have any skills in identifying a good instrument. My son is 13, 7th grade, an average player. We are looking for an intermediate instrument.
I ran across a restorer who has available a Boosey & Hawkes 2-20, an A. Fontaine, and a Lacroix fully restored and in my price range. (I won't name the place, as I am not sure if that would be against the forum rules). I know these are not typical student instruments like a Yamaha, Selmer or Buffet. I am not opposed to those instruments, but I also don't want to overpay for a name. We are not concerned about resale value--more about how the instrument plays.
I have searched the forum and elsewhere for information, but I am still having trouble figuring out if any of these instruments would be good for a player at his level and how they might compare against each other. I want an instrument that will help him grow as a player, not hold him back.
Thanks in advance!
Jen
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-04-19 00:24
I'm familiar with all three of the clarinets you mention, and I'd say that any would be adequate for your son, at least for a few years. Assuming....that they have been competently renovated, as the 'newest' of them (probably the Boosey) is at least 40 years old.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jasperbay
Date: 2011-04-19 00:25
I own good examples of all three, and prefer the 2-20, if only because of the 'custom' Kell pinky keys. Try all three with a good mouthpiece, and see if any plays especially good. No pad leaks, and a good mouthpiece, are probably more important than make.
I believe only the 2-20 would be considered 'intermediate' by most folks.
Clark G. Sherwood
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-04-19 01:26
I wouldn't call any of these clarinets "intermediate" models by current standards. One could turn out to be a good clarinet for your son but I wouldn't spend more than about $150 for any of these in good playing condition, if I were you. They are all extremely old. If your budget is closer to $450, there are, IMO, better options. What is your son currently playing?
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stelrosa
Date: 2011-04-19 13:49
He is currently playing on a plastic loaner from his school after he destroyed the A key on his Ridenour (sp?) clarinet. We don't really want to put a lot of money into the Ridenour (it needs a variety of things at this point in addition to the A key repair), and thought it would be a good time to move him up to an instrument that could take him through high school.
Jen
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-04-19 17:10
Some random thoughts:
I am no fan of Tom Ridenour's business model, and, as far as I can tell, soft keywork appears to remain a problem with his clarinets. Still, given the age, design and possibility of mistreatment over time, I think any of the three clarinets you have identified could very well turn out to be a significant step backward, regardless of which Ridenour model your son has. If it's the A key, itself, that's destroyed but the rest of the mechanism is intact, you might try contacting Ridenour to see if he can provide a replacement key and what it would cost. If there is structural damage to the body of the instrument, however, it's probably not worth repairing. Do you have an estimate from a good repair person?
The internet has spawned a small industry of people who buy up old junker instruments for next-to-nothing on eBay, clean them up, polish the keys, slap on new cork and pads and then mark them up significantly. They often look pretty good. Remember, though, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I would avoid dealing with this type of seller. On the other hand, sometimes a reputable repair shop comes across one of these older (often no-name) instruments and recognizes it as a good value and fixes it up to sell inexpensively to a customer who needs a decent instrument but can't afford a lot. These folks can be well worth dealing with if they are local and have a longstanding good reputation for integrity, high-quality work and willingness to stand behind their work. If this is how you perceive the seller, then I would recommend you let your son try the clarinets. If he seems excited about one of them, and you can satisfy yourself that it plays pretty well in tune, then I would say go ahead and buy it. Otherwise, I think your son might be better served in the long run if you would wait and try to save up enough to afford something a bit newer and better. In any case, I would not recommend you buy any of these clarinets from the internet.
The end of the school year is approaching. Good deals on clarinets sometimes turn up locally after school is out as parents dispose of unwanted instruments they bought for kids who have given up. If you can hold out for a little longer and check around Craig's List for your area, your son's school and other nearby schools, you might able to find a lot more clarinet for your money. MOO.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
