 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: thomas
Date: 2001-04-20 19:08
in Frankfurt at the music fair I played a lot of clarinets within a very short time (all professional buffets, Leblancs, Yamahas, Selmers, Patricola and Howarth. I was very impressed by the Howarth clarinet and the patricola clarinet (i own a german clarinet and a buffet E13, Zinner mp with german facing ). Because this was only a rather short impression and since both brands of clarinets are rather seldom used in Germany I would be glad to have some comments from people who own patricola or Howarth clarinets or who tested them thoroughly concerning the sound colour, intonation, keys and so on compared to buffet clarinets or the Selmer Signature. Thank you.
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Author: John
Date: 2001-04-21 05:09
I play a Patricola A clarinet that I like very much for its intonation and full, rich sound. I should say, however, that this is not a stock instrument since it was re-worked (improved) by Charles Bay in Los Angeles, California. The Patricolas are priced lower, but after the improvements by Bay, I paid about the same price as with a Buffet. While looking, I tried about 15 different Buffets, and Yamahas and none of them came close. With the Buffets, they either sounded great and played out of tune, or played in tune but sounded bad. I have played it regularly for 3 years and there is no sign of wear, or cracks. In fact, I am planning to buy a Bb Patricola to match soon.
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2001-04-21 15:12
I played the entire line of howarth clarinets at a convention and was truly impressed. I had played two of their A clarients in the cocobolo wood when they first came out, and let me tell you, they were junk. there was no tuning and no tone to them at all.
however when i played them just recently at the confrence my opinion changed completely. They have two models now...the more American/French bore and the larger English Bore. I played the American/french bore clarients and really liked them. the feel of the clarinets was solid and stable. The all leather pads worked realy well. The sound and intonation was even and good throught that registers...from low E to c4.
I would definately look into them for my next horn purchase. I don't know how you might like the sound in Germany, but that's something to always think of. The Patricolas i wasn't as impressed with. I met the family at another conference and plaed the horns there. Their thone wasn't as full as the Howarth clarinets. And the intonnation of the horns I played was a little off from register to register. BUt that might just have been those horns.
I hope this has been of some help....good luck
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-04-23 13:00
It's worth mentioning that the wider bore Howarth (at 14.74mm) is not "English bore". The Rossi and Eaton English design clarinets are c. 15.2mm. The wider Howarth equates to some extent to the old wider bore French instrument, although it is narrower even than that. It just is not as narrow as the US bore instrument which is currently the standard design for most makers.
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Author: Mike M
Date: 2001-04-23 17:33
I’ve had a Bb and A set of Patricola’s for almost three years now. I tried lots of different new and used models before buying these including about a dozen R13s and Prestige’s. My initial reaction was that I really liked the Patricola, but I was a little hesitant about buying them because I didn’t know much about the company.
My teacher (who is a Buffet artist) played them and listened to me play them. He recommended that I go with the Patricola’s. He said it’s not the name on the instrument that counts, but the final result of what comes out of it.
I found the scale to be very even. The key-work is very precise and responsive. Of course the tone is different than what you get from other brands. I plan to buy their Eb and C models in the next few years.
I have to admit though that I am very impressed by the new Yamaha Custom. I’ve played a few and they seem to be very free blowing and capable of tremendous (loud yet pleasing) sound.
Good Luck
JOHN-- What exactly did Charles Bay do to your Patricola's? It's about time for me to get a tuneup.
Mike
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