 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: breitung
Date: 2011-09-12 20:08
I am looking for a good used "A" clarinet for my son. Does anyone know a good place to look on line? Also, someone is selling a evette buffet crampon ser#187814. Does anyone know if this is a Bb or an A. Regarless of the key, is it a good one? Thanks
Craig
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Author: gwie
Date: 2011-09-12 20:45
If sold without indication, most clarinets are usually in the key of Bb. The Evette is a decent intermediate quality instrument but there are quite a few models. You'll need to see which one it is.
A clarinets, which are for the most part used only for orchestra, chamber music, and solo pieces that specifically require it, don't make an appearance in school bands and thus their availability is usually much more limited.
In terms of cost and quality, the "best bang for the buck" can be had with Tom Ridenour's Lyrique A clarinet, for around $1200. You can check out his web site here: http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Apage.html
There are certainly lots of good instruments from Buffet (R-13, RC, Prestige, Festival, Vintage, Tosca), Leblanc (Symphonie, Legacy, Concerto, Opus), Yamaha (CSG, SEV, CSV, etc.), Selmer (Privilege, Signature, Recital, etc.), not to mention the dozens of smaller makers like Backun, Howarth, Eaton, Rossi, Orsi & Weir, etc. There are so many I can't remember them all, I'm sure others here on the BB will refer you to a list of the rest.
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Author: salsacookies
Date: 2011-09-12 22:58
Oh gosh. There are tons of makers out there that have decent A clarinets. I found my Leblanc LX on that auction site for a fairly good price, considering it was top of the line when it was new. Don't be convinced that a brand new clarinet is the way to go. Many gently used clarinets still have tons of life in them and it'll save your wallet too.
My setup
Leblanc Legacy Bb with grenadilla barrel and bell, B45 w/Optimum lig.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-09-12 23:00
Given the serial number, the Evette is probably a German Evette made sometime between 1978 and the point in the early-mid 80's when the designation was changed to E11. That would make it a decent wooden student model instrument and, almost certainly a Bb.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-09-13 03:46
Unfortunately A clarinets tend to sell for pretty high prices even when used. If you want to buy an entry-level A clarinet for a reasonable price I would look at the LaFleur currently on sale at Clarinuts (one of the sponsors here). http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/C898.asp
It looks very similar to my own B&H A clarinet and given that B&H bought the LaFleur company in 1917 it's possible that this clarinet might have been made by B&H.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-09-14 02:17
I don't know about their clarinets, but LaFleur saxes distributed by B&H were made by Amati in the Czech Republic (which was Czechoslovakia then).
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-14 03:07
Be careful here. Is your son young? Is he in a band or an orchestra? Bands use Bb clarinets only. Orchestras use Bb an A clarinets most of the time. Some music such as ballet music can be in other keys, such as C and D, but unusual. You will see a few orchestral music in the key of C, but unusual.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-09-17 07:30)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-09-14 05:20
@ Dave
I believe that the LaFleur clarinets were made by a few different companies after the B&H buyout. Some were definitely of Czech origin but I don't think this was until around the '60s. This particular instrument is probably pre-1940 since the joints are still stamped with L.P.
I've seen some mention that earlier LaFleur's may have been imported from Malerne so that may be a possibility. However, the keywork resembles the Edgware A you overhauled for me a few months ago and the smooth tenon rings look pretty similar to what was used on the B&H 926.
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