 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dbuggie
Date: 2013-10-26 00:33
Hello everyone! Currently, my daughter is in 9th grade and has been playing since 6th grade on a Vito 7214 that we purchased for her. It's been a good clarinet, especially for marching band, however, we now have the opportunity to purchase either a Selmer Signet or Selmer Signet Special for $420 -
comes with a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece but for another $40 we can upgrade to a Vandoren Lyre mouthpiece. These are coming from the music store that services the school band and they have been completely refurbished. My question is whether this is a good price for these clarinets in good condition. Checking ebay and elsewhere there is wide discrepancy in the prices, but you have no idea truly what condition they are in. My daughter doesn't think she will move onto becoming a professional player but the top band at the high school does want the kids to have a better wooden instrument for indoor concert performances. I'm torn as to whether the Selmer will truly be that much better than the Vito and worth the expense. Any insight as to the quality of these instruments and their approximate market value is greatly appreciated!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-10-26 03:28
I think those are good prices. Particularly if she can try out the instruments before purchase! It's always good to know what you're getting, and eBay does not usually offer that kind of security!
I'd also recommend she try the mouthpieces too. B45s and Lyres can behave very differently from one another, and as well, if it's possible for her to try multiple of each model of mouthpiece that's even better. Mouthpieces can vary greatly between two of the same maker and facing (model) so it's always good to sample!
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Author: GaryH
Date: 2013-10-26 04:41
If you're looking to stay under $500, I'd look for a nice Evette-Schaeffer E-13. These are nice clarinets priced well under their brand's next level clarinet (R-13).
I have no problem with the Signet, but I don't feel it's as good of a clarinet as the E-13.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-10-26 06:50
I agree with GaryH, the Signet can be OK when properly set up, but it's a fairly old design and there are better instruments in the same price range. Try a Buffet E11 or even better an E13, or possibly a Yamaha YCL34. Personally, I think the prices you've quoted are a little high for Signets, but if they're in first-class condition it might be justified. Good luck.
Tony F.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-10-27 03:05
I agree with the above--a wooden Signet priced at $420 would have to be in like-new condition to command that kind of premium.
If possible, have your daughter audition a Noblet 40, Noblet 4K, or Normandy 4 clarinet. The design of the Vito 7214 was inspired directly by these models, and the hand positioning and key placement will be nearly identical to her Vito. Your daugher might feel more "at home" commanding one of these clarinets versus a Signet, and a Normandy 4 can generally be found in great shape for around $300 if one shops around.
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Author: beadgcf
Date: 2013-10-27 03:28
I have never been a fan of the Signets, and would recommend a mid-level Yamaha, Buffet, or Noblet.
That price seems a little high to me, but the fact that you are purchasing from a music store implies that they would have good quality control and perhaps a guarantee--so it would be workable in my mind.
Board-Certified Music Therapist
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-10-27 07:25
I don't know if the Signet is an improvement or not. My gut reaction is that it isn't enough of a step upward to be worthwhile. But the mouthpiece offer makes me wonder about the sales person you're dealing with. First, there is no such thing as a Vandoren "Lyre" mouthpiece. The "Lyre" designation is used on several of Vandoren's mouthpieces, as in B40 or B40 Lyre, M13 or M13 Lyre or 5RV or 5RV Lyre (designated on the mouthpieces themselves with a logo that is lyre-shaped, not by the word). They are simply variants on the facing (the curve of the mouthpiece away from the reed) identified by the rest of the model name. But they are all part of the same line of mouthpieces - a "Lyre" version of any model is not an upgrade, it's just different in its facing measurements. There is no B45 Lyre among the Series 13 mouthpieces. There is a B45 Lyre, if that's what you're being offered, in the "traditional" series, which is different in several ways from the Series 13 models (especially pitch) and quite open at the tip, even compared to a "traditional" or Series 13 B45. So, I don't know why they're going to charge you $40 extra for a mouthpiece that is *different* from the B45 but not in any way an "upgrade."
Depending on what your daughter is currently using on her Vito, neither the B45 or B45 Lyre may be comfortable - both are quite open-tipped, especially compared to most of the original equipment mouthpiece supplied with student clarinets. Maybe the $40 charge is to replace the old mouthpiece that's in the Signet's case with a brand new one. If that's the case they should give your daughter her choice of model. She'd probably be more comfortable playing on one of the closer-tipped Vandorens, but rather than your going in looking for a particular model, they should just let her try several from a M13 (the closest tip opening currently in the line) on up. They all retail for the same price.
But, to be honest, I'd probably skip the whole deal and, if your daughter feels limited by the Vito, look for a more significant upgrade at a little higher price. Or get some advice about an upgrade from someone who doesn't have a vested financial interest in the sale - an experienced clarinetist, preferably. Then shop for whatever the person recommends.
Karl
Post Edited (2013-10-27 13:14)
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