 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: angieddaniel
Date: 2012-02-13 16:43
I can buy both of these. If they were both in perfect working order, which is the better horn for me? I am an intermediate player. Thanks
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-02-13 17:09
They are both decent intermediate instruments. The only way to tell which is better would be to do a play test on each one. If this is a situation where you are going to roll the dice and buy an instrument with no play test I would make sure that you have the ability to return the instrument if you don't like it. If you can't do a play test and can't return the instrument and still want to buy one then I would probbably go for the Yamaha as they have a better reputation for consistency.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-02-14 07:00
If you liked your lost Buffet E11, you're likely to find that the Yamaha YCL-34 is a more direct replacement for your old E11 than a Normandy would be. Some would suggest that the Yamaha would be a step up from an E11 in terms of overall quality.
Ultimately, you're going to have to try both to make an informed decision. And if you can afford to buy both, don't do it--buy the better of the two, and then go buy a excellent mouthpiece with the money you would've spent on the other clarinet.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-02-14 12:11
Fo my money, I would go wit the Yamaha. They are usually great horns with even response and good intonation.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-02-14 14:36
Try both; then decide; then buy, but you may , really should, try many of both models.
richard smith
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-02-14 14:54
rtmyth wrote:
> try many of both models.
>
Ideally that would be what you would want to do. However since both of the models in question have been out of production for a number of years that probably won't be possible.
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Author: angieddaniel
Date: 2012-02-15 02:30
Thanks everyone.
I think I've decided on the Yamaha.
Ursa, I had bought that Normandy but when I took it to a professional who restores clarinets (good references is how i found him) he saw many issues with the keys not aligned properly and a crack in the lower joint! I took it back to the music store and they quickly and quietly gave me my money back.
at this same time I've been interested in buying a Yamaha 34 from a friend but it was not playable. pads were so worn there was no way to test. So I took it to this same gentleman and he gave me a price to completely restore it and it was lower than what I paid for the normandy. My friend doesn't want any money for her horn anymore so I'm only out the money to fix this Yamaha. He said it will play like a new horn. I trust him because I found him through 2 different music stores that say they send their worst horns to him to fix. He's been in the biz for 35 years.
Even though I couldn't play the Yamaha I liked the feel of it in my fingers more than the Normandy. (probably because the Normandy's keys were misaligned). It is heavy and feels more solid. Like you said Ursa, it felt a lot like my old Buffet. So in about a week I can pick up the Yamaha. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm very excited since everything I've looked into says the Yamaha is a very well constructed clarinet.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-02-15 04:08
Yamaha has earned a great reputation for consistent high quality, durability, and integrity. The instrument I played through my college career was a Yamaha. If your technician lives up to his sterling reputation, chances are excellent that you'll end up with a delightful clarinet in the YCL-34II that will last for years and years.
Another bonus with a Yamaha clarinet: They often come with decent mouthpieces. If the original mouthpiece is included and undamaged, you might find it to be worth using.
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