 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: alexolotl
Date: 2012-10-06 10:19
I am a 14 yr old high school student, and i have now been playing for 4 years. I currently own a Selmer Signet Special, and though i love it dearly, it is highly unresponsive and resistant (not due to leaks, pads were recently replaced) calling for an upgrade. I would be looking at mostly buffets and yamahas, unless there would be a better alternative. I would be looking at clarinets mostly below $2,000 (AUS) though i would consider any models exceeding that price by several hundred. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2012-10-06 11:20
Shop around and don't limit yourself to Buffet or Yamaha. There are other good alternatives out there such as Selmer, Leblanc and custom makers such as Rossi, Eaton and of course Backun.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2012-10-06 13:22
My advice is based on U.S. prices, but I'm not sure if Australian prices are comparable.
If you're looking for new instruments, the Yamaha 650 is an excellent choice, well within your price range. The Bliss is a bit less expensive, but it's also a nice instrument. If you go for this one, though, mouthpiece choices are a bit limited (the one that comes with it or one of the more "open" mouthpieces like the B-45-- this advice comes directly from a Conn-Selmer woodwind specialist). The Buffet Limite isn't often discussed on this board, but it was recommended to me by a highly-respected Buffet dealer who sells everything in the Buffet family. If there is a Backun dealer near you, the Protege is also worth a try.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2012-10-06 14:38
Apparently $2000 Aus = $2037 US.
Peter Cigleris is dead-on in not limiting yourself to the traditional producers, but at that price point I believe Rossi/Eaton/Backun are out of range.
Provided that you can try before you buy I would suggest attempting to find a used horn under your price range. Any chance you can contact local professional performers/instructors to find leads?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-10-06 15:11
Hi,
I've had several Selmer Signets, and have generally found that when they are properly set up with a suitable mouthpiece they are responsive and free-blowing and generally pleasant to play. The tuning can sometimes leave a little to be desired.
In the Oz market, within your price range, the Yamaha 650 is good, as is the E11 or E13 from Buffet. Ridenour and Backun are not widely represented in Oz, so I'm not sure how available they are to you in Perth. (For the benefit of US and European members, Perth, Western Australia has the distinction of being the city that is most distant from any other city in the world.)
If you were to look at used instruments, the R13 can be found within your price range, also the upper range of Yamahas. While Leblancs are no longer made, they are still frequently available and are excellent value. The Selmer 9 and 10 are also in your price range.
Good hunting.
Tony F.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-10-06 15:18
Tony F wrote:
> (For the benefit of US and European
> members, Perth, Western Australia has the distinction of being
> the city that is most distant from any other city in the
> world.)
And a fantastic place to spend a month or two, along with the wonderful people of Bunbury, down the road a piece. Still have a t-shirt celebrating the 150th anniversary of WA, with a black swan on it. That might date me a bit ... the 200th anniversary isn't all that far off now :-)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-10-06 16:04
If you're inclined to shop off beaten paths, you may also check out Hanson. I got one of their lower intermediates for bad weather and outdoor gigs, and it has more or less become my main instrument today. Yes, they're easily within your budget.
--
Ben
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Author: alexolotl
Date: 2012-10-06 16:21
Thanks all for the suggestions. I have considered the Buffet E11 and E13 (and possibly with a bit of saving, a R-13) and the yamaha 650. Some of the above mentioned brands are unfamiliar to me, though i will look further into them, and talk to my teacher about them.
And on another note, the South-West is indeed a beautiful part of the world, and although Perth is isolated, it's a great city.
Post Edited (2012-10-06 16:23)
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-06 20:10
Hi,
I know the B and H 1010S are probably not highly fashionable at the moment but if you really have the feel for hitting the sweet spot these instruments are truly amazing. I have just bought a pair of Peter Eatons which are fab but I also have an amazing pair of 60s/70s 1010s. If someone asked me to choose between the two, I truly could not choose. The Eatons are incredible for intonation/ease of playing and are very distinctive but my 1010s at half the price are amazing, quirky and slightly eccentric but when you get it right they are just out of this world ;-)
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-10-06 20:19
Forgot to say my parents and my sister live in Perth WA. Fab place and some wonderful vineyards! Hic ;-)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-10-07 00:23
If you don't mind a used horn the Selmer 10G is very free blowing. Lot's of pros used this horn, designed by Gigliotti (I think I killed the spelling) used by David Shifrin with the Cleveland orchestra and recorded the Mozart Concerto with an extended lower joint, made by Lenny Gullutti (Again spelling) I think this may have been the first recording with the extended or correct way of playing this concerto and the quintet.
A hi 5 to David. His performance was excellent.
Anyway, if you want a free blowing clarinet give this 10G a try. hehe, I got to play this horn at Rico. Shifrin gladly let me try it. Wonderful! Oh, in my opinion the key work feels fantastic, better then the Buffets. I've been looking for a 10G myself thats not been over used for 20 years.
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Author: jacobhardy25
Date: 2012-11-07 05:34
you can buy a brand new R13 from weiner music online for about $2500 US dollars. brand new in the box and great service!
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2012-11-08 04:24
I agree with others in not limiting yourself in the brands. There are several others that you can find in your range. I like the Ridenours, I personally have tried and own the Basset A, I have tried the G1, and it is an amazing horn. People that play his horn love them. Tom Puwalski has the Backun Protege horns and they are roughly I believe to be in that range. The people that have commented on them like the alot also.
Others have mentioned used. You can find great deal this way also. I found my R13 for less than 1500US and my E11 A for 800 both in great condition. Remember used is an option but hopefully you can fin used in a try before you by situation.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Ron Scholer
Date: 2012-11-08 04:58
If you haven't already bought a horn check out a combination of a different mouthpiece with the reeds vibrating freely along with a nice clarinet. Since you are playing a Selmer a set up may be a good idea. Used Selmer10 G ( G) for the Gigliotti Selmer model could well with the well respected Gigliotti mouthpiece. These horns are very free blowing and most likely you will be below that $2000 mark. You may have to hit ebay and buy used with at least a 3 day to 1 week trial.
The famous Dave Shifrin played these for many years. The key work feels excellent and Shifrin sounds excellent as well.
BA, MA, MSE, MST
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