 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: trecht
Date: 2013-05-20 17:14
I've played tenor sax for about 8 years and always wanted to double on clarinet. I'm going on vacation this summer and will be without my sax for a month (too much hassle getting it on planes), so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to start learning the clarinet. My plan is to buy a student clarinet and take it with me on my vacation to practice on. I need advice on what to buy.
I'm looking at getting a new student model - since I don't know how to play, buying second hand would be a bit risky. So I want something reliable, good for beginners, and ideally in the $200-300 range. Mouthpiece and reed recommendations would be welcome too. (If it matters, on tenor sax I play a King Zephyr, Otto Link 7* rubber MP, Rico Jazz 2H reeds.)
Thanks for your suggestions!
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Author: trecht
Date: 2013-05-20 17:20
Oh, should have mentioned that I'm looking to play jazz more than classical, if that makes a difference at this level.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-05-20 17:55
Trecht...realistically, you can't get into a new student clarinet from a reputable, established manufacturer for anywhere near $300. There are not many good choices available in a student clarinet in today's market and of them, the Buffet B-12 is likely your most affordable choice at around $600 from online retailers.
Add to this a Fobes Debut mouthpiece, a Bonade inverted ligature, and some Gonzalez F.O.F. reeds, and you'll be in business for under $700. Once you've built up your clarinet chops on this, you could move on to a more "jazzy" setup if desired.
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-05-20 18:16
Best thing you can do is buy a used student clarinet in good condition. That way you can get a higher end used clarinet instead of a cheap, Chinese, crappy new one. I have some student clarinets in great condition, ready to play if your interested in buying. They'll be in your price range. (A little below actually) Check my profile for my email address if your interested.
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-20 18:23
Take a look at a Leblanc L320NS (avoid the Black Nickle Silver finish)...Dave Kessler can hook you up. He'll do you right!
Tristan
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-05-20 19:15
As others have mentioned, getting a new student clarinet for $300 is going to limit you to Chinese imports of dubious quality. A better option in my opinion is to look for a used student clarinet made by one of the large manufacturers. Models to look for are: Yamaha model 20 or model 250, Selmer Bundy or Selmer 1400, any Leblanc Vito, or Buffet B12. It is not uncommon to find any of these for <$300 in freshly overhauled condition.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2013-05-20 19:17
I second joe423. Best scenario (IMHO): an old Selmer.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2013-05-20 23:34
If you can afford it, get a new plastic student Clarinet. Plastic Clarinets of well know makes are excellent these days, the quality control on these are far better than they were 20 years or more ago.
Yamaha
Jupiter
Vito
Buffet
The mouth pieces and ligatures that come with these are very good to learn on. No need to go to the trouble of getting some 'special' mouthpiece and ligature. It's quite simple really. ADAPT to whatever comes with the instrument.
If you can't afford a new Clarinet of the above makes , get a good second hand one but find a skilled Clarinetist to try it out for you first.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-05-21 00:11
I really like Vito clarinets, and you should have no trouble finding a good used one in your price range.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-05-21 01:23
I'd add the Yamaha C100 and the Buescher Aristocrat to the list of suggestions. Excellent used examples are available within your price bracket.
Tony F.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2013-05-21 05:25
I'd consider a refurbished metal clarinet , as they go better with sax and jazz. I'm partial to the H.N. White 'Cleveland' and 'American Standard' models for your price range. Various models made by the Ohio Band Inst. Co. are also well made, and are even less expensive.
The 'Cleveland' and 'American Standard' models are normally silver-plated over german silver, but can be found in laquered brass if you follow the auction site for awhile.
Tonewise, they all sound pretty much like a regular clarinet.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-05-21 14:08
Go for a used clarinet. I bought a used Selmer Signet Soloist from a pawn shop after making certain I could see no cracks in it for $250. After having it oiled and a few pads replaced it plays like a dream...and it's a top-of-the-line intermediate. I'd stay away from beginner instruments. If you don't like the used one you purchased, you can always re-sell it and not lose money. Reselling a new one...you'll lose money.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-05-21 14:31
> I'd stay away from beginner instruments.
This is probably a question of how one defines "beginner instrument". I find a Noblet, Vito or even a Bundy (when in good repair) very capable and adequate first-time-doubler instruments - I'd rather spend some money on a good mouthpiece and a good teacher.
--
Ben
Post Edited (2013-05-21 14:32)
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Author: trecht
Date: 2013-05-21 18:32
Thanks for the advice, all! Looks like I will be going for a used clarinet after all. Seeing as I don't play, though, any tips on what to look for when inspecting a used instrument, apart from the obvious stuff like cracks and visible damage? How to make sure I don't buy a dud?
Also, what reeds would you recommend for a beginner (albeit a sax-playing beginner, if that matters)?
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-05-21 21:31
In making sure you don't get a dud for your first clarinet, one possibility would be to head to the music store in your area which leases instruments to beginning students. Almost certainly they will have many entry-level instruments available for purchase. Ask to talk to a technician there, and get their recommendation for a specific clarinet that they've reconditioned. Quite often, there will be one or a few that have stood out to them as particularly good players during the reconditioning process.
Note that this will only be an realistic option for composite-bodied instruments. You will still want to purchase a new mouthpiece, such as the Fobes Debut mentioned earlier.
Mitchell Lurie makes decent, no-fuss, easy-to-find reeds ideal for starting out on clarinet. You might find them to be all you'll ever need in a clarinet reed.
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Author: trecht
Date: 2013-05-24 21:45
Just to provide closure to this thread - I ended up buying a Buffet Crampon E11 for $250. I took it to a tech who said it was in good condition though the pads are a bit old, so I'm pretty happy (since these clarinets usually sell for well beyond my budget). Thanks again for your advice, everyone!
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2013-05-25 19:33
Just yesterday I did what you are contemplating. I went to my local music store, which is a good one, and rented a new Yamaha 200AD on their recommendation; I specified that it had to have a decent scale or it would drive me nuts. Cost me about $60 for two months. I got it put together and am satisfied with its even scale and decent sound. My reed experience is on oboe, not sax, though. I figure after two months of fiddling with it I'll know whether I want to upgrade, and meanwhile it is entirely playable.
EBH
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