 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Echronome
Date: 2014-04-10 08:49
i was wondering if anyone knew something about these clarinets. They come at such a good price but i wanna know if anyone owns one and what they think about it.
Here's the website http://martinfreres.net/
Post Edited (2014-04-10 04:49)
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Author: qp
Date: 2014-04-10 10:58
I was thinking the exact same thing after reading that Eb clarinet post. The new ones are very cheap clarinets... surely the quality can't be great and they must be made in China?
RJS
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-04-10 15:09
run the search there have been a several threads on it.
The original Martin Freres was a 19th century company.. they got bought out several times, and in mid 20th century name was used by US importer for stencils. Apparently the trademark got available and got bought out by small company in Florida.
One of the owners(?) Garcia had posted here a few times. Per his words they are buying keys/bodies from different sources (China, India and US were mentioned) and assembling/ tuning their products in Florida shop. Barrels are made locally. Somewhat similar to what Ridenour does (I think Tom actually buys assembled clarinet and then does tuning)
I've e-mail them a few times and bought their barrel for vintage clarinet. Barrel seems to fit well and I like the sound. Per his words they actually have the same model in shop and tuned barrel for it.
Sorry no experience with their clarinets. I have considered their Eb but then got a deal on old Penzel Mueller I could not pass
Post Edited (2014-04-10 15:18)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2014-04-10 17:17
I don't own a Freres clarinet, but they made a barrel for my Forte C Clarinet. The barrel is great, and I've had great customer service from them. You might talk with them to see if they have a return/trial policy.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-10 14:39
I've been scratching my head as to why a startup company would revive a brand that was, after WWII, associated with cheap French clarinets...
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-04-10 16:12
And why did some anonymous Vietnamese factory begin making inexpensive instruments under the old Kohlert name and flood the US market with them starting about ten years ago?
I guess it's easier to sell products using a name that is at least somewhat recognized (regardless of the nature of peoples' associations with the brand name) rather than starting from scratch with a totally unknown name. But I really don't know, I'm an engineer, not a marketeer or business type.
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-04-10 16:30
some of those "brand names" are auctioned for as little as $1. I am guessing they wanted a French sounding name, and there weren't much to choose from (in US).
Conn-Selmer is sitting on gazillion different historic names, I wish they would let them go.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-10 16:44
I think you're right, David...people can Google or search eBay for these revived brand names and quickly get the impression that these are solid companies that have been around for a long, long time.
If it were MY company, I would not want to incur the costly hassle of handling inquiries regarding products made by defunct companies using the same brand. Look at all the vintage Martin Freres threads we have here on the BBoard...
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-04-10 16:44
Automakers play these brand name games all the time. Here's one of many examples: Fiat-Chrysler is currently selling a car in the U.S. that is based on the European Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform (though much modified for overweight and gadget-obsessed Americans), called the "Dodge Dart". If you grew up in the 1960s/70s as I did you would remember the original Dodge Dart, and would realize that the current vehicle of that name has absolutely nothing to do with the original other than having four tires and one steering wheel.
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