 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-04-23 01:35
yep, i'm looking to buy an alto clarinet.. i've been looking on ebay and whatnot for the past few months, and today i founf out my budget was upped slightly, so i can spend a little more.. ($150 give or take a bit) being my impatient self, i'm going nuts trying to find something suitable it doesn't necessarily have to be in tip top condition, because i have time to fix it as money permits, but i want to get something that is of a fairly decent quality, i guess you could say.. i saw this horn <a href = "http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1424862884">http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1424862884</a> it's over in about an hour.. i was just curious if you more educated clarinet enthusiasts thought it was a decent deal. i've been playing a selmer for 2 years, and it's served me well thus far.. but is there anyhting better you could suggest?
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-04-23 01:57
I've played on a Selmer, Bundy alto clarinet before and feel you've found yourself a pretty good deal here. While it dosn't necessarily qualify as a pro horn, it does get the job done. It's not the horn that makes the player but vice versa (or something like that)
Anyway I think you should jump on it. It looks in great condition that would probably make as a fun fixer upper prodject. These horns do play nicely. My school has 4 alto clarinets. 2 semi pro LeBlancs and 2 Selmer, Bundys that are the same model listed. All 4 were probably unplayed for about a decade. I kept a LeBlanc in my possession but almost choose a Bundy for its ease of playing.
Good Luck
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-04-23 02:01
yeh.. i was the first person to play our selmer in like.. 25 years.. and only because i was running my mouth.. i had been sitting second as a freshman and beginning soph.. then one day i was sorting music and just being a jerk i said, "gee, mr. eitel, what's an Eb alto clarinet? i want to play that" he grabbed me by the arm, dragged me into the room where they store the old school instruments, gave me a big dusty case and the rest is history =)
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-04-23 03:36
Jenna,
You did notice that this alto is not plateau. You will have to cover the rings as you do on your Bb. Once you get it you may find it needs work. Most eBay instruments do. Have your repairer take a look at it.
John
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-04-23 14:54
Jenna, I echo John B's reservations about an open-hole alto cl, in that the hole size may require "good-sized" [fat ] fingers to cover. IMHO, my own alto experience makes a plateau desireable, maybe required. Other considerations are the "reach" problems, particularly the right hand finger-spread required between the Bb/F and the little finger keys. I have small hands and discovered that the alto [and bass ] are frequently made only for large hands. I regret I was busy yesterday and couldn't give you my observations, but will help further if you ask. Luck, Don
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-23 18:26
Jenna -
The horn looks nice. As the description says, you'll have to have new pads put on.
Selmers from the 1950s and 60s are probably the best altos. I played a new Buffet a couple of months ago that played very well.
Altos can sound dreadful with stock mouthpieces. Your best bet is to get a Selmer C* and send it to Everett Matson to be turned into something good.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-04-24 20:05
actually, a note on the plateau keys.. i learned to play alto on a selmer/bundy just like that one.. holes and all.. but thanks for your concern =) and i know it'll need some work, but i have time to worry about it
thanks
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