 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2015-02-08 05:31
A takeoff on another thread. If money was no object, which instrument would you own? This is not my situation, it's a fantasy. I'm just curious what peoples' opinions are for the best clarinets currently available.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-08 06:11
I think everyone's definition of that "best" might not necessarily converge onto that same definition of the "best", with that said, it's like asking what is your definition of the most beautiful woman in the world... this question is way too abstract.
If you wanted a clarinet with very clear and accurate intonation, I think Yamaha CSV model would possibly out perform any other brand out there. At least I am confident it is more focused and clearer sounding than Buffet, LeBlanc, or Selmer. My son has Buffet, and his old former teacher had Buffet, LeBlanc and Selmer... and I am confident you would agree if you tested them side by side.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-08 06:33
I must add... my son's current teacher has Rossi, and her clarinet definitely sounds clearer and sweeter than my son's Buffet or his Yamaha. My son's Buffet was hand selected by his former teacher and we selected his Yamaha CSV at NY Yamaha Atelier Artist Service. If you like clear and accurate sounding instrument, Rossi and Yamaha has got to be up there...
Ricardo Morales and Anthony McGill plays Backun, but never heard them side by side against other instruments to have an opinion on Backun.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-02-08 07:33
I have to admit I'm fascinated by the sound I've heard live from several Rossi artists. Some how the chalumeau is just sweeter than butter. I've never played one, but have heard they take some getting used to.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-08 08:33
I would've bought Rossi for my son but went with Yamaha because I am thinking I would get that basset lower joint custom made by that fox guy in Canada... you couldn't do that with Rossi, they are unibody.
During the clarinet lesson this week my son's teacher says, play your measure 145 to 147 like this instead the way it is written. .. she says this print is modified for an A clarinet, but Mozart original k622 was written this way, so you can try it this way, blah blah. .. if my son had the basset clarinet I would've gotten a different publication, geez. I promised my son, if you make the PYO audition this summer, we will vacation in Canada and visit Mr Fox to get you the basset lower joint for your clarinet.
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2015-02-08 20:26
I look mainly for these qualities:
1. tone quality
2. intonation
3. even tone strength
4. even resistance through registers (given no leaking pads)
I leave out projection. For the music I play I don't need to sound louder than everyone else.
These are the top 6 copies of instruments I have played so far (with grades 1-5 for each aspect in the list above):
Leblanc Opus II A (4 5 4 5)
Leblanc Ambiance Bb (4 5 4 4)
Selmer Presence Bb (4 5 5 5)
Leblanc Symphonie VII Bb (5 4 5 5)
Leblanc Concerto Bb (4 5 5 5)
Leblanc Opus II Bb (5 4 5 5)
I have tried all Buffets, all Ridenours, most Yamahas.
Would love to test some more Selmer professional models (haven't tried Recital, Signature, Privilege at all) and get into the Backuns and Rossis.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-02-08 20:44
Phillip:
Your otherwise perfectly acceptable question creates a paradox for me, and I'll bet other readers as well.
With money BEING an object, I've always considered myself lucky enough to play professional and quality Buffet instruments, if not afford their top of the line (e.g. Tosca) models, or some of the clarinets from boutique makers recognized as world renowned.
I haven't tried what I know I can't buy. Whether this action was selfish, in that I did't want to know what I was missing that I couldn't afford, or selfless, in that I didn't want to waste the time of vendors I was never going to buy from, in either case, it results in 1st hand ignorance of the clarinets, were money no object, that I might want to own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-02-08 22:08
If I had the funds I'd definitely like to buy a set of Wurlitzer reform Boehms.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2015-02-09 02:06
Dave, ha. From that perspective, it comes down to what clarinets would you want to try out, and the answer is fairly obvious - the top of the line models from the manufacturers that are well-known to all frequenters of this board.
The list of said manufacturers is a little longer than I recall from a similar discussion some years ago, which is great. In addition to the long-established big 4 of Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc, and Yamaha, we now also have Rossi, Backun, also possibly Uebel. Nice to see Chris P's mention of the Wurlitzer reform Boehms too, which I also recall in the earlier discussions.
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Author: donald
Date: 2015-02-09 06:47
I normally shy away from these kinds of discussions... but....
Schwenk und Seggelke AND Steve Fox (I'd get both!)
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2015-02-09 06:53
Donald I want to try a Schwenk und Seggelke so bad...
But any clarinet?
Give me the Selmer Rosewood Contrabass. Or how about that elusive octobass?
And since I really only try to play bass clarinet and I already have a Selmer 67....A 2nd Selmer 67?
Post Edited (2015-02-09 06:56)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-02-09 08:44
If limited to just one pair, forever, I'd find the brand and model having the best acoustics and workmanship, and then have custom A and B-flats made of something other than wood ... hard rubber, metal, some sort of special plastic or non-obtainium ... I'd want something that would last decades without worrying about material stability ...
Of course, if I had THAT kind or money, and could buy as many instruments as I wanted, I wouldn't worry about material issues at all, just get what is pretty and/or sounds the best ... I could replace them as necessary ... as they developed problems or "blew out" ... which, has not been much of a problem with my previous wooden clarinets, anyway ... although my Yamaha YCL-62/65s were getting close to being worn out, with a million hours of use ...
Tom
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2015-02-10 17:31
@Nilsson
try using another barrel on the Seles for a bit more "tone" in the higher upper registers . I often use my Selmer 10SII barrel : a bit more tone , but less evenness, smoothness in that case .
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2015-02-10 19:24
buedsma,
I might have been "unfair" with the grade for the Seles' tone. But its sound didn't strike me as other clarinets have, and I think very few clarinets can compete with the ultra sweet sound of the rosewood Symphonie VII, for which I reserved the 5. ;-)
I understand you have received your instrument now. How exciting! I'd be very curious to know if its intonation is as good as the copy I tested. Can you mail me and I will send you an instruction for my test procedure (tried your URL but it didn't work). Thanks!
Edit: Sorry, looks like I mixed you up with another forum writer who had just ordered the Seles, but do feel free to contact me. Still curious if the Seles Presence has such good intonation consistently or if I was just lucky with the copy I tested.
Post Edited (2015-02-10 19:32)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-02-10 19:34
With my principal wooden instrument being a B&H 8-10, I'd graduate to a set of Peter Eaton Elites if money were no object.
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-10 21:54
> Cocobolo Backun MOBA with gold keys <drool>
Is that what Ricardo Morales play ? =)
When I was at the Yamaha Atelier Artist Service 2 weeks ago, the Yamaha tech was telling me Ricardo used to come to his shop very often to get his clarinet adjusted... I guess that's when he used to play for the Met.
Post Edited (2015-02-10 21:58)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-02-10 23:36
Why no Buffets made in Cocobolo with gold keys? Looks like they would have a hit! What gives?
Tom
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Author: yaseungkim
Date: 2015-02-11 02:20
I can't speak for Buffet, but my impression of Buffet is that they are satisfied with their past laurels.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-02-11 06:30
Hard to tell....
But a clarinet I will never forget making a very good impression on me was about 12 years ago. I tried a buffet vintage and it was gorgeous.
Of course my playing style, technique, embouchure, etc. have changed since then so I don't know if it'd be the same.
One that I've tried recently that I loved? A Buffet Divine set up for a clarinetfest table. If I could have THAT Divine, I'd be a very happy clarinetist.
But then again, I DO love my evette and schaeffer. I consider all other clarinets to be a step laterally, at best to good 'ol Claribelle.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2015-02-11 13:23
Backun Moba
Hanson T7 Titanium
Peter Eaton Elite
Not that I've tried any of these (although I have a Moba bell) but they are all very pretty and very expensive....Following my imaginary huge lottery win I'd also test drive some of the top end Selmers and Yamahas as I've never tried these. I'd still hold on to my Leblanc Opus and R13 though.
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