 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Dino
Date: 2011-12-11 13:30
I am looking for an advanced or “professional” level clarinet. I went
yesterday to a local music shop and tried Buffet R13; excellent horn. But I also read several reviews on Ridenour’s Lyrique (hard rubber) clarinet that is advertised as a professional one, equal to clarinets as R13. There is a significant difference in price and I would appreciate any guidance in this. I understand that this may have been discussed in the past but I am new to the board.
Thank you. Dino
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DNBoone
Date: 2011-12-11 14:03
Some people claim the lyrique is just as good or better than the R13. Others don't. Best bet is to try both and see how it works for you.
Personally, I tried the Ridenour horns and thought they were terrible.
On the other hand, I don't like the R13 either.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oca
Date: 2011-12-11 18:26
If you go on ridenour's site and you read his grenadia (however you spell it) myth, you will then see why there is a big gap. Producing a wood clarinet takes many more processes than does a hard rubber clarinet, thus the wood clarinet will be more expensive whatever the quality of the horn.
I would go with the Lyrique. Although I have not used one, I know that they are hand made by Ridenour. Ridenoir does not employ website designers or any other type of people. In other words the cost of the Lyrique reflects the price of the clarinet, while the Buffet's price reflects the coat of the clarinet AND the paying of its CEOs, webdesigner, assembly line people, testers, and on and on.
If you want to look at it from a different view, Tom Ridenoir is very active with the clarinet community posting videos and sharing his clarinet wisdom. Buffet dates back to the early 1820s which may or may not provide credibility to their design.
In all Tom ridenoir business is hardly about cosmetics or looking fancy, it is all about quality and affordability to the clarinet community. Picking a clarinet from Ridenoir's collection is all about deciding between the beginner and the professional model, while Buffet has a confusing number of products to choose from. Ridenour is also an innovator, designing the thumb cradle that is a very inexpensive yet very helpful addition to any clarinet.
That is just my opinion; I've always found mass produced items lacking consistency even when it comes to very expensive things, for example, cars.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: denkii
Date: 2011-12-11 18:46
From what I've read, his clarinets are actually made in a Chinese factory then he sets them up himself after he receives them. I'm not sure if this is true, maybe some other people can confirm/correct this statement?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-12-11 19:20
I own a Lyrique and have sampled a few R13's. In my considered opinion, neither instrument is a complete substitute for the other. If one must make a choice between the two, both instruments should be given a fair trial.
I've found that, for me, the Lyrique has a resistance unlike other clarinets and is fussy about which mouthpiece/reed/ligature combo will work well with it. Once I got a good working setup dialed in, the Lyrique proved to be a delightful clarinet and, after a year and a half of playing, it still plays like a new horn in every way.
Still, it isn't my favorite clarinet. I have others that are even more satisfying to play.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oca
Date: 2011-12-11 19:29
About that Chinese factory thing: Tom's number is on there, someone ahould give him a call.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2011-12-11 20:09
denkii wrote:
> From what I've read, his clarinets are actually made in a
> Chinese factory then he sets them up himself after he receives
> them. I'm not sure if this is true, maybe some other people can
> confirm/correct this statement?
That was correct at least in the past; I am not positive about the present.
WHERE a clarinet is manufactured is highly irrelevant I think - HOW it is designed, HOW it is manufactured, and HOW it is set up IS. A poorly manufactured clarinet is always that - poorly manufactured, and there are examples of those from just about every country - China is just the latest in the series. A well-manufactured clarinet might be able to be set up well (assuming the design was good - you can have a beautifully manufactured clarinet that is impossibly out of tune!)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: denkii
Date: 2011-12-11 22:16
From some reviews people had, they said the clarinet played great and was in tune but to cut costs, some keys were said to be easily bent and not durable, but these reviews were from a while back and I think Mr. Ridenour has taken care of that problem.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-12-12 00:36
There are several Lyrique models to choose from, all priced BELOW any new R13. It is a highly personalchoice,and you havetotry one to make thedecision. I bought (at the time) the top-line 576-BC. It served me very well,and Tom was very helpful when I had questions. He also now offers the G1, which I have not tried, but if you wanta wooden instrument, it might be worth it for you.
I owned an excellent"vintage" R13 in the past, and the 1971 horn is now in my daughter's possession.
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."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-12-12 01:47
I think that a lyrique and a very good barrel makes a pretty good R13 killer. I don't tend to care for the included barrel with the lyrique, but a little shopping around gives it a great improvement.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-12-12 02:03
I've owned and played many R13's and Tom's Lyrique. Ultimately I was able to make "my" sound on both instruments.
There are no real similarities between the two models. You're going to need to trial the instruments to determine which is best for you.
I recently used the Lyrique in place of my preferred horn (Rossi Bb -- in the shop) for several rehearsal in preparation for Madama Butterfly. No one knew that I wasn't using a "big four" clarinet. Neither did they notice when my Rossi did the dress and the performance. Did I notice? Yes.
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
