 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tob
Date: 2012-09-26 16:37
Hello my child is in the high school band program. Recently his normandy wood clarinet needed some repairs plus we are hoping to get him a new mouth piece. Repairs are estimated at 120 from Music and Arts plus a new mouth piece that can run up to 100. I initially went in there to rent to own him a new clarinet but the sales person convinced me to get an estimate to repair his clarinet since it is very good condition. I am unsure of what to do, should I either repair his normandy wood clarinet or rent to own a new clarinet, thinking of a TR Lyrique clarinet or Buffett E11. He is a freshman and dedicated band student. Thanks for your help.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-09-26 16:54
Rent to own is, in my experience, not generally an economical way to buy an instrument. It's designed for parents who aren't sure of their child's commitment level and may want to return the instrument when the child's interest peters out. If you pay the installments out to the end of the program you will probably have paid a good deal more than even the list price of the instrument, and since most cash sales are made at a discount, you lose even more by renting to own. Of course, I'm not familiar with the terms of your specific program, but if it's a Music & Arts program, I'm fairly certain my description will be accurate. Not a criticism of M&A, but that's part of how they make money as a business.
My vote, FWIW, would be to repair the Normandy, buy the mouthpiece (you don't mention which one, but $100 is the top of what you should expect to pay, and you should price-shop for it separately), and then, if your son is really dedicated and wants to continue playing clarinet beyond high school, start putting money aside toward buying something even better and, if there's a marching component to the band program, keeping the Normandy to use outdoors.
Karl
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Author: Claireinet
Date: 2012-09-26 17:02
Kdk beat me to it.
Agreed about the general economics of rent-to-own... and.. I think everything else.
If you were to look into buying another instrument in the future, I'd say look for probably a used pro-model and save the old clarinet for marching if need be.
Getting him a new mouthpiece should make a great difference in his set-up (depending of course on the quality of mouthpiece he is already using.)
As for the prices of mouthpieces... I think they have gone up recently??? I know a little while back I looked at the Vandorens (they used to have good quality economical mouthpieces).. and was astounded by the price -- I think they used to be $75 max... but where running a good deal over $100. So, I guess shop around. There are plenty of threads with recommendations for good quality/price options.
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Author: DaveKessler
Date: 2012-09-26 17:36
As a retailer, I would 100% agree with the previous statements. NEVER rent to own... you pay too much plain and simple.
Dave Kessler
Kessler & Sons Music
http://www.kesslermusic.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-09-26 18:43
Karl wrote: "......parents who aren't sure of their child's commitment level...."
Doesn't that apply to nearly all parents? Of myself and my four siblings, I was the only one who didn't quit my instrument. Of my own three daughters, two started various instruments and eventually quit all of them, while the youngest is still playing but I doubt she'll continue for much longer.
So my suggestions would be (a) repair the current instrument, or (b) do a straight month-to-month (or quarterly) rental of another instrument if a decent one can be found. I fully agree that 'rent to own' is a lousy option.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-26 19:15
Can't really do much wrong with a Fobes Debut mouthpiece, less than $40...
--
Ben
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2012-09-26 21:00
The Normandy and E11 are pretty much equivalent instruments. If your son's clarinet is generally in pretty good shape, I would also recommend going the repair route. As most everyone else in this thread, including a dealer has pointed out, rent-to-own is an extremely expensive way to buy a clarinet.
I can second the recommendation for the Fobes Debut mouthpiece. My daughter used one with great success when she was about your son's age and experience. Search for it online for testimonials and a good price. Another option to consider is the (Brad) Behn Overture for $35 plus shipping from his website.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2012-09-26 21:05)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2012-09-27 03:58
There is a pretty decent repair shop in downtown Frisco, if you wanted options on where to get it fixed.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Red Chair
Date: 2012-09-27 16:42
Repair and a Fobes Debut. Rent to buy only helps one side, the retailer!
Lauren
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-09-27 19:04
I don't have a problem with the Fobes Debut, but I think of it as a very good entry level mouthpiece. This student is in high school and, I assume, well past the novice stage. You can get a Fobes Nova (which Clark Fobes obviously considers better than his Debut) for $85 from at least one online outlet. You can also get the new Rico Reserve mouthpieces for $95 as well as any of the Vandoren line for $85. All under the $100 this parent was told a mouthpiece would cost.
Karl
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Author: tob
Date: 2012-09-27 22:54
Thank you all for your help!! Yes, he's been playing since sixth grade, he enjoys playing and is focusing in staying in band through high school after that, not sure. So I'm assuming an intermediate mouth piece will work.
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