 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Madame
Date: 2011-07-26 18:13
Hey
recently I had an epiphany after having to use someone else's clarinet: for over 25 years I've hated playing, mostly because even with practice I couldn't seem to progress. I only had my old Bundy that my mom bought on time back in the mid-70s until last week when I tried someone's Selmer cl300 and all of a sudden all those top register notes that I couldn't begin to play my entire life were just popping out like nothing! So....I'm considering trying to upgrade a bit, but need a reasonably priced instrument. I seriously couldn't believe how much better that instrument played, especially since it was basically put out by the same company. I'd appreciate ANY AND ALL input anyone can give - clarinet is not my primary instrument, I'm a vocal major (education), but was doubling for instrumental - pretty sad I suspect, considering I couldn't even figure this out for so long :D Guess I'm getting edumacated now :D But considering I'll be teaching soon, I really need to take care of business, so fire away! Lay it on my my musician brothers & sisters! :D
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-07-26 18:27
Give us an idea of what your budget is. If you're willing to consider used clarinets you can get some very nice ones in the ~$500 range and sometimes for even less.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-07-26 19:06
If you want to keep it under $200, you should be able to find a nice used Vito. I have students playing on them, and they're an amazing student instrument.
The Yamaha 250 is also supposed to be nice, although I don't have much experience with it. If you have a bit more money to spend and want a wood intermediate model, consider the Yamaha 450. I have a couple students using them, and I'm quite impressed by their quality, sound, and intonation.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-07-26 19:30
Did you ever have the Bundy serviced? If not, you may be amazed at the difference that can result from changing damaged pads, adjusting pads to seat properly, repairing damaged tone holes, etc...
I don't honestly know what position a C1300 held in Selmer's line, but if it's anywhere near the lower end, your Bundy may be be just as serviceable and playable in really excellent condition. Find a tech with a strong reputation in your area and see what he or she says about your Bundy.
Karl
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-07-26 19:53
kdk wrote:
> I don't honestly know what position a C1300 held in Selmer's
> line, but if it's anywhere near the lower end, your Bundy may
> be be just as serviceable and playable in really excellent
> condition. Find a tech with a strong reputation in your area
> and see what he or she says about your Bundy.
The CL300 is the current Bundy model. I believe Selmer has gone back and forth a few times as far as labeling it as "Bundy" or "Selmer".
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-07-26 20:43
...besides, "Bundy" just has more style, name-wise, than some alphanumeric model number. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-07-27 00:23
A used Selmer Signet Soloist might be a safe bet, if in good operating condition. Also, check the classifieds here, and check www.clarinuts.com.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Madame
Date: 2011-07-27 02:00
Ok, let me see if I can answer everything that has been raised :D
1) yes, I had Bill Street do an overhaul on my Bundy, and STILL I can't voice the higher registers on it.
2) Yes, I think I can probably squeeze $500 out of my aide package for the fall for a new-to-me instrument :D
I was looking on amazon and ebay and they have some intermediate wood models available for not too awful much - this raises another question: wood vs. plastic.....? ;D I hear wood is warmer, and what is a clarinet if not warm, eh? :D
chat on, I'm lovin' it :D
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-07-27 03:22
Madame wrote:
> I was looking on amazon and ebay and they have some
> intermediate wood models available for not too awful much -
> this raises another question: wood vs. plastic.....? ;D I hear
> wood is warmer, and what is a clarinet if not warm, eh? :D
First, I would suggest not buying an instrument off of ebay, amazon, craigslist, etc. unless you are prepared to pay for an overhaul on top of the purchase price. No matter how good the seller claims the condition is I have found that instruments purchased from these places almost always need some attention. You would be better off buying a used instrument from a dealer or from a repair technician. If you check in the classified of this site you will find some good deals and you would also do well to check the inventories of some of the advertisers here.
As for wood vs. plastic vs. rubber, you will find that opinions vary. Many people will steadfastly insist that wood instruments sound better while others will tell you that the material has little influence on the sound produced. I count myself in the latter camp as I have played wood and hard rubber clarinets of the same make and model and find that there is no noticeable difference in their tone or playability.
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Author: Joanna
Date: 2011-07-27 03:27
Hi,
If you are looking at student models, I think that Yamaha would be your best bet. I've tried several student models and prefer the Yamaha. My own horns are Selmer Paris Professionals but this is because I'm a clarinet major! :D
Try different things and see what works best for you. DO NOT buy something without trying it out first.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-07-27 03:51
Get a used wood Boosey & Hawkes "The Edgware" or "Series 2-20", millions of them around for $100 or less in reasonable condition, have it properly overhauled for a couple of hundred bucks more, and presto, you'll have an excellent intermediate wood clarinet for about the cost of a used student Vito or Bundy. Sorry Ben, but the Bundy is a honker, though admittedly rugged as a tank.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-07-27 03:56
I like your general approach of upgrading your gear and wanting to do it intelligently. But there's nothing "cheapskate" about acquiring an intermediate instrument if that's what you can afford. It's no shame to not be wealthy (though of course it's no great honor either).
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-07-27 10:32
I agree with Dave. B&H clarinets are a great value. They typically play very well after an overhaul and you can usually get them for very cheap since most people are not familiar with the brand. I have bought Edgware models for as little as $1 before.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-07-27 11:43
I'm with SteveG regarding material. I recorded the same exercise (in stereo) on two wood, three plastic and two ebonite Bflat horns. On examining the waveforms there was little difference between any of them. The big difference comes if you change reeds and mouthpieces - so if you're interested in your sound this is the place to start IMHO. Although there definitely does seem to be a subjective difference which studio equipment is unable to detect.
Oh yeah! what Dave Spiegelthal said or the Selmer Signet (soloist model if possible) also mentioned above
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Author: William
Date: 2011-07-27 15:43
I think your "problem" may not be so much with your Bundy, but rather with your mouthpiece and reed set-up. A good mouthpiece can make a world of difference in your tone quality as well as improve the response of the upper register notes you said were not "poping out". I would recommend you get in contact with Clark Fobes who makes a quite affordable line of student level clarinet mouthpiece. He will send you as many mouthpieces to try as you can "back up" with a credit card number, without the obligation to have to buy. He is accessable and will work with you to help you with your search.
I would also second having your Bundy checked out by another repair person, or again by the same tech you just used. My first clarinet was a Bundy and it played well enough for me to earn First Division Ratings at our State Music Festival two years in a row (Himmie Voxman was the judge) and place second chair clarinet in our states University of Wisconsin All-State High School Band in 1958. That Bundy was eventually traded in for a Selmer CT, but I kept the mouthpiece, a Selmer HS*. No matter which of my current Buffets I put that mpc on, it still plays with a warm tone. BTW, the biggest difference between that old Bundy and my newer pro clarinets is much improved intonation, especially in the upper register. It played all of the same notes just a easily as any pro Selmer, Leblanc or Buffet clarinet I've even owned. Again, the secrete, a great mouthpiece. Give Clark a call.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-07-27 16:52
East Carolina University used to have a major summer Band Camp program - was 2 weeks long, and had 4 full size, and quite good Bands. Their "Blue Band" were the elite level players, typically Juniors, and Seniors whom many were going to be music majors. They had high level facultynsuch as James Forger for Sax.
I had a Bundy for the first 2 years that I played.
The second year that I played, and went back to the camp, my Clarinet needed a Cork, so I went to their in-house repair man, he fixes my Clarinet, and I try it. Repairman looks at me, and says, "you're a very good player, but what Chair/Band are you in?" When I told him that I was 1st Chair Blue Band, he laughingly said that he was going to suggest for me to get a better Clarinet, as I'd get a higher Chair if I did, but "it worked for me"....
When I Made All State Band that year (had played for 2 years), was the only Clarinetist playing on a plastic one. All the others were wooden.
The Bundy was new when I got it, but 3 years later, the Buffet R-13 played like a miracle compared to it.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: stuper1
Date: 2011-07-27 18:33
My vote for an inexpensive intermediate clarinet would be a Vito V40. I love mine.
However, if you want a wood model, I just listed a good Selmer Signet Soloist in the Classifieds section.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-07-27 21:21
William wrote:
> I would recommend you get in contact with
> Clark Fobes who makes a quite affordable line of student level
> clarinet mouthpiece. He will send you as many mouthpieces to
> try as you can "back up" with a credit card number, without the
> obligation to have to buy. He is accessable and will work with
> you to help you with your search.
I will second the recommendation of getting a Fobes mouthpiece. I play one on my bass clarinet and love it. Unfortunately however Clark doesn't sell his mouthpieces directly anymore (or at least that's what he say on the front page of his website) so it may be necessary to buy one through Woodwind Brasswind or some other dealer.
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