 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bluesguy
Date: 2014-03-22 18:56
My daughter is a high schooler with a 60s? Normandy Bb clarinet. She's ready to step up. Right now she plays in high school concert band. She does not have aspirations of majoring in instrumental music in college. Please suggest some names/models I should be looking for. I am perfectly fine with used.
thanks in advance
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-22 15:33
Everyone already knows what I'm going to say, even though I have no affliation with anyone in the business.
The greatest source of clarinet for your money lies here. I submit that if your daughter does major in not only music, but performance in college, and becomes principal clarinetist of a major symphony orchestra, that you very well might STILL not need to come back here again, as you will have purchased all the clarinet you need.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/
And that's not self serving speak because I own one. I actually own a professional Buffet--which in case you didn't know is one of the top makers of clarinets. I'm SAVING to buy a Ridenour though.
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-22 16:10
I'm saving for the Lyrique Libertas Jack--but that's my price point--your price point may be different.
I've at one point or another tried many of the models.
What I will say is that not only is there value and quality to be found in every model they make, but Ted and Tom Ridenour are not out to steer customers in the wrong direction.
Everyone in the business knows dad, Tom, as being as knowledgeable about clarinets as he is honest.
Again--I can't emphasize this enough Jack--I am in no way affiliated, financially or otherwise with Ridenour or any institution in the music business. The (little) money I have saved is in managed funds whose purchase, sale, and hold postitions are ones I do not make, and have no bearing on.
There's a search function at the top of the page. Please feel feel to search Ridenour and see what others have said---summary: its 99.9% positive.
Ridenour makes his clarinet line in almost exclusively hard rubber. They are beautiful sounding, dimentionally stable (doesn't change in size with temperature/humdity)--which means its pitch is extremely good, and will stay that way. Unlike wood.
It will crack if you use the clarinet to hammer nails, but the same goes for all other materials as well.
The Ridenours run a streamlined business model where savings are passed along and shared with customers. Do not be fooled into thinking their quality isn't superb because they aren't 3 times as expensive as other models.
Let me close with those. Hopefully you'll hear from others with their recommendations here. But don't be surprised if few, if any here, disagree with me on the Ridenours. And it's not because I or Ridenour are "not to be messed with," but because the community doesn't disagree with my sentiments.
Fresh on this board is a post on the very instrument I discuss.
Give Ted Rideour a call or email. If price is an issue they may have pre-owned ones, or ones they've used for testing that they can sell you. But only after they've made sure its in top condition.
Paradoxically, the problem with finding used Ridenours is that few owners want to sell them.
I hate to steer anyone away from anything Ridenour, so I will say this..gravitate towards their hard rubber models, which makes up the vast majority of their product line.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-03-22 16:39
One thing you might consider is sending your Normandy to a really top notch repair facility and see if an overhaul and tweaking might really bring the horn to a new life! A new barrel or bell might also bring out a fresh sound and playing experience. Be prepared to spend, at least $200.00 for a student level overhaul and a lot more for a pro overhaul.
Or, I'd take a look at the instruments on the Ridenour Clarinet Products web site. World class instruments at very affordable prices and they can arrange easy financing.
In addition, the Yamaha intermediate to semi-pro instruments are really nice and well made. I tested a YCL450 and YCL650 about a year ago and they were fine. Yamaha seems to be a conservative and careful company and doesn't make a lot of model changes ...
Buffet makes a new intermediate instrument called the E12F that is getting nice reviews. I haven't played one, yet ...
A used Leblanc Concerto, Opus or maybe a Selmer 10G would be a good choice, but they are hard to find. You might consider a used Buffet R13, but expect to pay more than $1500.00 for even an old one in fair condition.
The Yamaha and Buffet instruments are wood, so they are arguably prone to more problems, but with careful treatment and good luck they will do OK (not as good for outdoor use)
Also, consider that the intermediate Yamaha and Buffets cost more than the Ridenour professional clarinets.
You might look at the Jupiter clarinets ... haven't played one, but I hear they do a good job.
I'd try several brands and models and see which one you like the best. You will have to order one of the Ridenour instruments with a credit card and I think you have 5 days to audition. You just pay shipping ...
If you have a really good and mostly unbiased (with good current "chops") clarinet teacher, get him/her involved with the choice. I'd try to have several different instruments at the same time to play for at least a couple of hours ... let your teacher help with the decision. Don't let the brand name guide your choice as much as how the clarinet works for you.
IMHO, the Ridenour Lyrique instruments are easier for most people to play, play in tune and they have the fewest worries. They also have a wonderful dark sound.
You may get vigorous arguments from others about my opinions!
Too many great choices! I would like to own them all!
My two cents worth! Good luck!
Tom
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Author: wanabe
Date: 2014-03-22 21:18
I am NOT an expert on clarinets. I am a rank beginner, but I have been doing a lot of research into clarinets for my own purposes. The Ridenour instruments got rave reviews when they first arrived on the scene, but the later model 147 is not getting the same reception. It appears that the Chinese manufacturers of these have taken to cutting several corners in the manufacturing process and although the design is good, the implementation of that design and the materials, especially the metal used in the key work leaves something to be be desired.
For more on this go to clarinetpages.net and search for the Ridenour 147.
Post Edited (2014-03-22 21:24)
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Author: Tom Ridenour
Date: 2014-03-22 21:23
The 147 is not a Ridenour Clarinet Products instrument. Tom has not been apart of the company that produces them for over 10 years.
Ridenour Clarinet Products,
rclarinetproducts.com
sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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Author: Tom Ridenour
Date: 2014-03-22 17:25
The 147 was the first clarinet Tom designed in hard rubber.....it is in no way his latest design/product.
Ridenour Clarinet Products,
rclarinetproducts.com
sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-22 21:40
Bluesguy, you didn't mention if your daughter's Normandy has a model name or number (4, 5, 6, 8, 10, "Stubbins", "Special") stamped upon it, or, if it doesn't, if the clarinet is all wooden, mostly wooden but with plastic bell and/or barrel, or an all-plastic instrument. In order to offer you the most valuable guidance, we really need to know.
Post Edited (2014-03-22 17:48)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-03-22 22:13
Plenty of options out there. Don't get hung up trying to choose the "perfect" one from dozens of options, but when you start getting options, find the one WITHIN them that fits the budget and that your daughter and her school director like the sound of.
My opinion, bang for the buck, and with aspirations of NOT majoring in clarinet in college, I really like the all wooden leblanc bliss 210 clarinet. It's one of the "top four" manufacturing names so support will be there, it's pretty well made, and with a better barrel (I dont like the stock barrel on it), I think it works very well and can satisfy many a clarinet enthusiast's needs for about 1200 bucks (and that's the NEW price)
I'm a little out of touch with some of the newer, lower cost models coming out, but I have played a few different leblanc blisses, and two or three of them were 210s, and i was impressed by them when paired up with a better barrel.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-22 22:38
...if the Normandy we're talking about here is an all-wooden model, it already IS a step-up clarinet.
If it's not cracked, shabby-looking, has flaking nickel plate, or otherwise damaged, I suggest that the best value would be a top-notch overhaul of the Normandy combined with the addition of a carefully selected, professional-quality mouthpiece.
If the person playing the Normandy is just tired of it and wants something else, that's fine too. To get something truly head-and-shoulders better than a good Normandy, a Yamaha YCL-650 or Ridenour Lyrique 576BC are really remarkable instruments for the money.
Very few, if any, band directors and private clarinet teachers would disapprove of anyone upgrading to a Yamaha YCL-650.
Post Edited (2014-03-22 22:45)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-03-22 23:16
I forgot about the Bliss 210. I'd add that to my list. I played one a while back ... has some redeeming features. Kessler Music really likes them ...
A few years ago, one well-known teacher in Northwest Arkansas had her students ordering the wood Bliss instruments (bunches of them) through a local dealer. They had a very high percentage (I think over 40% ??) of them crack in the 1st few months. I guess that the problem might be less than before. In fairness, Arkansas's weather in this part of the state can be pretty fickle. Could be -5 degrees one day and +65 degrees the next ... and using a horn in marching band could really tax even the finest wood's integrity ...
It's a shame that the plastic Bliss was discontinued ... my understanding is that people would gladly pay the difference in price for the wood instruments, so the synthetics were discontinued due to lack of interest ...
I'd heard that the Backun Alphas were going to be available in wood...? I'd stick with the plastic. You can get a wood bell and barrel to match ...
I haven't played the Alpha, so I can't comment on it versus the Lyrique clarinets.
I'd definitely investigate the Lyrique clarinets by Ridenour Clarinet Services ... I own two models, and play them every day.
Good luck in your quest!
Tom
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-03-22 20:41
Tom, I'm wondering why you are speaking in the third person these days, it's reminding me of a Seinfeld episode with Jimmy. I own a 147 , one of the older ones, and I've always thought it was a Ridenour. Are the Ivorlon barrels a Ridenour product?
Bob Draznik
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Author: Tom Ridenour
Date: 2014-03-23 01:03
This is Toms son Ted writing which is why I speak of Tom in the third person. Toms a big Rickey Henderson fan so I think he'd prefer that comparison..... 
The 147 was a clarinet Tom designed and was involved with while working for a large music chain in Texas. Tom left said company in 2004 (roughly) and since then has not been involved with that model.
The Ivorlon barrels are an RCP product.
Ted Ridenour
Ridenour Clarinet Products,
rclarinetproducts.com
sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com
Post Edited (2014-03-23 01:09)
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Author: Siq
Date: 2014-03-23 03:16
I believe that, despite all the praising it's been receiving, I'll still get the E12F over the Lyrique Libertas for three (PERSONAL) reasons:
1- Buffet's history and reputation: Please, listen to what I have to say before bashing me on this one. I've had only three clarinets so far: a not-worth-remembering-the-name Chinese clarinet, where it all started, a used Yamaha (student model, already discontinued) and at last, a Buffet Crampon B10.
When I purchased the Buffet, lots changed. It was VERY lightweight, looked really good being matte instead of shiny, without the silver-ish rings in the joints and most importantly, sounded awesome, compared to what I previously had. Through my musical learning, all of my instructors praised the instrument, saying that they were surprised a "cheaper" instrument could tune so well (specially between the Chalumeau and Clarion Registers, where other clarinets failed). I put these quotes on "cheaper" because here in Brasil, at the time, the B10 costed over $1000 (US Dollars).
Now you may wonder: Ok, you like Buffet Crampon, but how does that invalidate all the good things we say about the Ridenour? Well, as a college student, I don't have much money (actually I don't have money at all) so my parents will greatly contribute to my new instrument. As you can expect, they don't spend their times in internet forums or reading reviews on clarinet brands that aren't sold in our country. Besides, they are not musicians. They know the Buffet it a safe bet to place their money.
2- The Wood. Yes, I know wood has some downsides, but please understand that since I was a child it's been my desire to own a gorgeous wood instrument (and I can't afford one of those Backun protegee beauties, but the unstained grenadilla wood will do). I intend to care for it well. My only worry is that I play outside a lot. What are the possible problems of playing a wooden clarinet out in the open?
3- The price: Yep, this one is a VERY important aspect. People hear about my two previous reasons and ask me why don't I get a used R13 instead of a new E12F. Well, my budget is very tight. As an example, at $1500, the Libertas is about 35% more expensive than the E12F which I can purchase for $1100. A good used R13 would cost me even more.
Anyway, these are my reasons, but my decision hasn't been made yet. I'd appreciate your inputs to help me make the right choice (:
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-03-23 03:21
bluesguy -
As I've written before, the closer a part of the clarinet is to the player's mouth, the more important it is. Thus, the mouthpiece and the barrel have a much greater effect on tone and response than the rest of the instrument combined.
When I put my handmade mouthpiece and barrel on my nephew's plastic Yamaha, no one could tell the difference between it and my well-tweaked Buffet R-13, and even though I was playing it, I was surprised at how similar they played.
Thus, a top quality mouthpiece and barrel on a plastic clarinet will play better than the most expensive wood clarinet with a stock mouthpiece and barrel, and at lower cost.
Two of this board's sponsors sell matched mouthpieces and barrels.
Greg Smith's combination http://www.gregory-smith.com/Models.html costs $525, which isn't cheap, but for that price you get them selected by a member of the Chicago Symphony.
Walter Grabner http://www.clarinetxpress.com/ charges $382.
Either of these will make your daughter's plastic Normandy play more than well enough for her needs.
Ken Shaw
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Author: TAS
Date: 2014-03-23 03:22
Do NOT buy a used clarinet from a random dealer on EBay or Amazon.
TAS
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-23 03:53
Ken--I agree with the importance of the mouthpiece and barrel, but sight unseen we don't know what condition the existing clarinet's in. If it has issues with sealing pads or dimentional flaws, a mouthpiece and barrel may not be able to address that.
And if mouthpiece and barrel are indicated, a music enthusiast whose dad's willing to buy used isn't likely to spend the money for Smith or Grabner products, as wonderful as their wares and sponsorship here are.
But I do get how you seek to allocate the budget to where it matters most, no differently than an audiophile spends much of their stereo budget on the speakers, and I respect that.
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-23 04:53
Sig, I'm glad you added your 2 cents to the mix, and I say this because, and I mean this humbly, not because I'm the last word, or you the first in buying clarinets, but because some of your motivations don't make sense or are just off.
If I may make an analogy, you and I can look at a picture of the Mona Lisa that's oriented correctly. We can each draw opinions about the painting, you liking it, and, say, me not, and each respect each other's opinion. But what neither of us can do, and earn each other's respect, is to say the painting is upsidedown.
"As you can expect, they don't spend their times in internet forums or reading reviews on clarinet brands that aren't sold in our country. Besides, they are not musicians. They know the Buffet it a safe bet to place their money."
Sig, this is a little like me saying , "that as I'm unfamiliar with the wrist watch market while shopping in NYC, that I should spend my money at Tiffanies," one of the most expensive jewelry stores in the city.
Yes, the jewerly store has been around forever, and likely to be there for time to come, but you are going to pay a king's randsom for a watch whose quality can be exceeded elsewhere, AND be priced less. Trust me, the torquoise Tiffany's bag (Buffet logo) you get the watch in won't make it run better.
Educating your folks into being an informed consumer is what solves the problem here. I can't imagine that Ridenour can't take your funds and ship to Brazil.
2- The Wood. Yes, I know wood has some downsides, but please understand that since I was a child it's been my desire to own a gorgeous wood instrument (and I can't afford one of those Backun protegee beauties, but the unstained grenadilla wood will do).
Why. Because it might crack, or further deplete what's left of the African Blackwood tree, or because you like clarinets that might change pitch with the weather, or never have good pitch to begin with? I think we can agree there's nothing glorious about that. Not only do many think hard rubber clarinets sound better, you will get more clarinet for the money with Ridenour than Buffet anyday. This is in part because the cost of that Buffet clarinet has less to do with its quality and more to do with what it costs to keep the Buffet infrastructure running. I'm no expert. So lets hear from one:
http://clarinetcorner.wordpress.com/2013/03/
"safe bet to place their money"
Maybe people think this has to do with the fact that Buffet will likely still be in business 30 years from now. Let me address that. Repair techs fix all types of clarinets, and some of them have issues with getting parts from Buffet. So don't think you're necessary safe there with Buffet. Second, may the Ridenours live to be 105, but if something happens to the company, don't be surprised if your clarinet becomes that much more valued as a collector's item. Posts fill this board about "the good old days" of that special hard rod rubber with which original Chedeville and Lendelais mothpieces were made. Mark my word, in the museum on the history of the clarinet, this time period will feature a Ridenour clarinet, pointing to when the industry was forced to use hard rubber after depleting grenadilla stocks, it turned out to be a good thing, and Ridenour spearheaded that effort.
Oh, and despite the astronomical costs Buffet charges, they still operate in the red, subsidized by the French government. Ridenour doesn't have Buffet's financial problems, or enjoy government entitlements.
"I intend to care for it well. My only worry is that I play outside a lot. What are the possible problems of playing a wooden clarinet out in the open?"
Sig, the question you ask could not be a better slow pitch over the strike zone....or a loaded infomercial question if I paid you.
Ridenour hard rubber clarinets, outdoors, not only can handle such conditions, but wood on your best day will change dimensions with temperature and humidity changes, playing out of tune, and on your worst day crack.
If you play out in the open and buy a wood clarinet, lets just say I need to tell you this: don't mix ammonia and bleach.
3- The price: Yep, this one is a VERY important aspect. People hear about my two previous reasons and ask me why don't I get a used R13 instead of a new E12F. Well, my budget is very tight. As an example, at $1500, the Libertas is about 35% more expensive than the E12F which I can purchase for $1100. A good used R13 would cost me even more.
And I imagine Sig that a Toyota Lexus is also more expensive that a Yugo. To make my point, your are comparing a Buffet STUDENT clarinet to a Ridenour PROFESSIONAL clarinet. All the more reason, if price is your issue, don't by the Buffet student horn. It's overpriced. Buy a second tier Ridenour, which will still kick the E12F's "you know what."
Sig, not only will people in general get more value going Ridenour, listening to your needs in specific, you are the poster child for why someone should by a Ridenour.
I bear no affliation with Ridenour, its competitors, or ANYONE in music, whatsover.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-03-23 05:23
Sig, just to throw in another stick (bad pun) into your gearbox...have you considered Hanson? Some time ago I found it necessary to buy a sturdy outdoors instrument and thought I'd give Hanon's "Greenline" equivalent a try. Apparently I was an early adopter and got a rebadged midrange instrument at student price.
In a nutshell, it's one of the f*ing best pieces I blew into, and that includes Marigauxes, Buffet Festivals and Leblanc LLs.
(no other affiliation other than being a happy customer)
--
Ben
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Author: Siq
Date: 2014-03-23 06:02
ThatPerfectReed
This is exactly the reason I posted my motives. So that a person could challenge and possibly deconstruct them, as this is the most likely way to make me change my opinion. There's been some points in which I believe you misunderstood me, probably by the way I phrased my sentences (my English is still not as good as it should be) and also some phrases and analogies I didn't get for about the same reason, but I got the message and I tend to agree with you.
Thank you for taking your time and giving me this complete answer, which will surely weight in my final decision.
Let me just try to clarify some things that were probably misunderstood, but don't change what you said in any way. Also, I'm just trying to make you understand, and not agree with me.
About my parents, what I tried to say is that they have a voice in this decision, they've seen how well my Buffet plays, they've had contact with it. Their assumption that it's not a brand that will let them down is logical, despite what you said. What I also meant, is that they CAN'T ask anyone in Brazil about Ridenour (instructors, professors, repairmen) because there isn't anyone who sells it here and most people have never even heard of it, so it isn't that simple for them, to trust a brand no one knows about. Again, I'm not trying to make you agree with my parents. I just want you to understand. About educate into being informed customers, it's not as simple for the same reasons.
That's also why I mentioned there are no Ridenours here in Brazil. Not implying he can't ship it to me, but that no one has one to comment on, no one knows.
That's about it, the rest was pretty accurately interpreted.
Once again, thank you for showing me how wrong some of my views were.
tictactux
No, I haven't considered (or even heard of it) but I'll surely look into it. Thank you ! (:
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Author: muppie
Date: 2014-03-23 03:46
I am wondering about this "play outside" bit. Correct me if I'm wrong Siq, I don't think Siq is playing outside in the sun in a marching band or anything. He just likes playing outside under the shade, hanging out with other people playing other instruments.
Would this still be a serious cause for a wooden instrument to crack?
I know I LOVE my $10 plastic recorder which I took with me walking across spain for two months in the rain and all, but I don't think this is what Siq meant about playing outside.
So from this point of view, the Ridenour is great because you won't have to worry about it and won't have to "baby" it and put it away.
Secondly, Siq, I think I have mentioned this to you - I don't know why Buffet E12F decided to have a different sized tenon / barrel. It would mean that you can't easily buy different "standard" barrels if you later would like to try different ones. I am sure it's possible but it requires custom work. Standard barrels simply won't go into / over the upper joint's tenon. It is too big.
Could my E12F be a "defective" one that they sold with a matching non standard barrel? I don't know.
Thirdly... as I said in that big Ridenour thread, the only downside to the ridenour is its keywork. The E12F's keys LOOK and FEEL so much nicer. As for the sound, in my opinion they are both great.
And finally, the Ridenour is matte black with some sort of fine "grain" going along the tube. I think it's intentional to make it look different from just "shiny plastic". The inside of the clarinet looks like "shiny plastic", so the outside was definitely deliberately done this way.
It doesn't look bad at all, although it isn't as "sexy" as a wooden clarinet. You won't stand out or get praises for how the Ridenour looks, but might get praises for how it sounds
Your point about repair is probably a good one.. although if you take care of your clarinet which I know you do, the only thing that could possibly go wrong with it is the need for a repadding job, but that probably will be a while.
The Ridenour 576bc is within your budget, but I know you'll always be wanting a wooden clarinet if you did end up getting a Ridenour
I know I am still eyeing a mollenhauer wooden recorder from time to time The amount of money I've spent on clarinets + accessories could have paid for 10-20 entry level wooden mollenhauer recorder.. sigh...
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Author: bluesguy
Date: 2014-03-23 17:10
Hi, I"ve had a chance to look carefully at my daughter's instrument (my first post was from memory). It says Normandy Reso-Tone and I think 4000B, if that helps anyone determine exactly where we're starting.
thanks
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-23 19:22
Hi, bluesguy:
Thanks for the follow-up, that helps a lot.
Your daughter's clarinet is a Normandy 14--a plastic instrument. It's a good one, and you'll want to keep it around and in good playing condition for outdoors performances, pep band, and marching band--when a good wooden clarinet should not be used.
But it's time to upgrade to a wooden instrument. You've got a lot of options for a step-up clarinet. Since you're considering used, you needn't spend a lot of money to get a good one, either.
My short list of suggestions for a good used wooden step-up clarinet:
Yamaha YCL-450, YCL-34, or YCL-32
Evette & Schaeffer Master Model
Noblet 40 or 45
Vito VSP
Add a professional-quality mouthpiece and a good ligature, and she'll be all set for high school and beyond--playing at church, in community ensembles, etc. Good luck!
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-23 16:33
Hearing some of these posts here's how I feel:
I feel like I am trying to make the case that human slavery is wrong, based on what I think is the obvious argument that all humans are created equal, a basic tenant of human rights spanning religion, ethnicity, culture, gender...you name it, and that after I say that, somebody asks the question, seriously no less:
"so how about we enslave 'slanted eye people of color with 1 arm' and make money off of them?"
I just want to pull my hair out. It's one thing to have a differing opinion, its quite another to base that opinion on factual wrongness.
Muppe:
(Mark, our moderator, sorry for the 1 sentence quote, there was no easy way to link)
"Rio has a tropical savannah climate (Aw ) that closely borders a tropical monsoon climate (Am ) according to the Köppen climate classification, and is often characterized by long periods of heavy rain from December to March."
(Readers note: "Aw" above is NOT my sarcasm. It, like "Am" is a Koppen climate classification code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification )
This is where our poster Sig writes us from. Nuf said?
But the point is hard rubber is the better choice if Sig lived in, of all places, Israel, where you can all but remove your car's wiper blades during many months for the lack of anything but sunshine.
==============
People, your allure of wood clarinets, and Buffet is based upon preconceived wrong notions. Not to sound like a broken record from other posts:
Fact: Grenadilla wood was chosen to make clarinets because manufacturers could machine it cheaper, NOT for the beauty of its sound. The industry didn't choose Grenadilla for its sound qualities, rather, its decent sound was a secondary factor in the decision for its use. If sound was the premier factor, rosewood might have been chosen as the primary raw material, only it costs more to machine.
Fact: Buffet makes quality instruments, but their cost to you goes mostly to their corporate expenses (legacy costs, managment) that have little to do with the quality of the clarinet you get.
You enjoy the beauty of wood? Then why continue to contribute to the destruction of whats left of the African Blackwood tree from which grenadilla is sourced, and has been exploited to the point of near extinction buy makers of wood oboe and clarinet makers for more than a century? (Trust me, the wood doesn't make the sound. A great plastic clarinet could be made to sound at least as good. Craftsmanship goes into making a great clarinet.)
Instead, go here http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/collections.jsp?categoryId=cat160035 and buy a nice piece of furniture, albeit at markups not dissimilar to Buffet's. Their catalog costs several dollars to send out, and a large part of the U.S. gets it. Something has to pay for that direct mail effort, no different than someone has to pay for Buffet's enormous size and legacy costs--but I digress. At least the appearance of the furniture matters. But for clarinets its about how it plays and how it sounds.
============
Muppie:
"the Ridenour is matte black with some sort of fine "grain" going along the tube. I think it's intentional to make it look different from just "shiny plastic". The inside of the clarinet looks like "shiny plastic", so the outside was definitely deliberately done this way.
By the way, that "shiny plastic looking inside" you desribe, which is hard rubber....do me a favor: take a breath, slowly release it and relax, and say "ah, dimentional stability." That's the look of a bore that will be the same dimensions 50 years from now. Its a bore that's sold in tune, its a bore that will remain in tune.
Ursa: The poster described what clarinet it was, not what condition its in from a playing standpoint. Until such time, the best legacy Landeleis mouthpiece, and Moenig barrel will have an unknown effect. Still, I respect how you've made the point, like Ken above, of the importance of mouthpiece and barrel.
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Author: Siq
Date: 2014-03-24 00:13
"This is where our poster Siq writes us from."
Yeah, Rio is hot (:
You are both right.
This is what I mean by playing outside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtHexeL7RM
Yes, it is hot (90F in the shade) but I don't play directly under strong sun or rain of any kind.
Also, I don't know how people interpret this "Long periods of heavy rain" but what really happens is that, after a week or two of lots of heat (during the summer, which is Dec-Mar) it may rain (very)heavily for a full day or a day and a half. But obviously, if the sky is falling down, you don't go out and play your instrument.
As muppie said, what I like is playing outside under the shade, hanging out with other people playing other instruments.
As you said, it is still hot.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-03-24 01:54
AFAIK hard rubber doesn't like sunshine (i.e. UV) at all. It will turn into a greenish brown.
Dunno if this is the case with newer HR clarinets, but it certainly is the case with HR mouthpieces.
--
Ben
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Author: Tom Ridenour
Date: 2014-03-23 22:36
Latex is naturally white. It's dyed black when used to make clarinets or clarinet/saxaphone mouthpieces for cosmetic reasons. Extended exposure to sunlight can fade the dye and areas that receive heavy exposure to sunlight can begin to fade. I would not call it a major problem though but ill let people decide for themselves;
*In nine years of selling hard rubber clarinets ive had fewer than 10 people write us about this as a problem.
*It has zero effect on the instruments performance qualities
*It can easily be reversed by buffing the faded areas with black leather dye. The process takes a minimal amount of time....I've walked people through the process successfully....no repair tech needed (Although its not difficult I would advise consulting someone before doing this)
Ted Ridenour
DISCLAIMER: Most leather dyes are not marked as toxic but I'm not suggesting you use it on your mouthpiece since.....you'll be placing it in your mouth. If you decide to buff your mouthpiece or clarinet use caution and carefully follow the instructions on whatever leather dye you decide to use.
Ridenour Clarinet Products,
rclarinetproducts.com
sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com
Post Edited (2014-03-23 22:59)
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