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Instrument Advice

Author: Musikat
Date: 2014-05-12 07:23

So I have "new clarinet" fever, but want to be smart. I am a good amateur player who currently plays in a concert band (first and second part) and has come back from a 10 year hiatus. Prior to that I played through college (in band and orchestra) and into my 30s. I am really enjoying playing again and my skills have come back, along with my embouchure.

I currently play on what I believe is an R13, bought in the 80's as my "step up" instrument when I was in high school. It is a wood Buffet and has no specific markings of another model and says made in france. I play it with a C. Robert Scott barrel and a Rick Sayre mouthpiece and V12 4 reeds, typically. It has been a great instrument but now that I am playing again I am paying more attention to specifics and notice some tuning issues (it is extremely sharp in the Altissimo, but adjusting for that makes the middle and low notes flat), as well as realizing it has never been easy to play in the altissimo. It is due for an overhaul.

I have been investigating the Ridenour Libertas, but don't like that I have to buy it and have it shipped here to try it out. I am also looking at Backun Protege or Alpha, and see there is a shop I can try them out at nearby. I confess I love the way the MoBa clarinet looks (purely aesthetically), mostly for the shape of the barrel and bell.

I also have a Buffet "A" clarinet which needs an overhaul and has tarnished keys (not silver), but was only played for about 4 years 20 years ago that I am considering selling to help finance whatever I do (along with some birthday Money -- this will be a present to myself). I want to stay at $2000 or under.

My options, then, are a Ridenour or Alpha (are they similar?), but I love my wood clarinet, too. OR a Protege (would it be as good as my R13)?

A third option that I just thought of when I was on the Backun website is buying a MoBa barrel and possibly bell to get that "look," assuming I like how they sound with my instrument. But would this and a good overhaul "fix" the tuning and altissimo issues? I also realize the altissimo could be technique, but I have never felt confident of those notes playing in tune and with good tone (they sound shrill to me), even when I was playing constantly, had teachers I worked with, etc. Despite that I do get compliments on my sound and have been asked to play up in first part since coming back to band (as well as made all state community band with a strong score). All of that has rekindled my love of playing and I want to make sure I have the best set up I can for the price I can afford.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Instrument Advice new

Musikat

2014-05-12 07:23