 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kararae02
Date: 2015-03-24 05:20
One of my close friends is looking in to buying a new clarinet, and sees a lot of demo models on ebay. I'm wondering, about how much is a demo clarinet typically used? Also why do they call it a "demo model"? it's made like any other clarinet, isn't it?
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-03-24 06:05
Demo clarinets run the gamut from mint condition with a tiny flaw to heavily tarnished and otherwise shopworn instruments that lingered around a music store, unsold, for several years.
It's easy to tell from looking at pictures of the instrument.
There are many new Leblanc Paris, Noblet, and Normandy clarinets still in stock at dealers, even though the last of these were made in 2008. Some stores may be selling these off as "demos" since they've tarnished, or otherwise no longer appear brand new, from sitting around unused for so long. I would, personally, only purchase such an instrument at a considerable discount--a new wooden clarinet that has not been played for several years will need to be serviced before being put into regular use, and will require a very careful break-in to mitigate the increased risk of cracking the wood.
Post Edited (2015-03-24 06:20)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-03-24 06:47
Also a lot of demo clarinets are ones that have been at exhibitions and played by the general public, so they're neither new nor used but have had some playing and no doubt cosmetic flaws such as small scratches, scuffed cases, stained pads and tenon corks and other things they pick up from being moved from place to place and played by a number of people.
They may or more likely may not have been well maintained in their time as a demo model due to the time it takes to set up and tear down displays from day to day - probably a quick wipe over with a cloth to make them look shiny, but the bores may not always be dried if there are a lot of instruments on display and time is limited.
You may get lucky as they're often sold at heavily discounted prices as they can't be sold as new, but they will definitely want a full service to make sure they're in top playable form which may also factor into the price.
I've bought some ex demo instruments in the past, only one of them had a cracked top joint - a Yamaha Custom oboe, but Yamaha sent me a replacement top joint for it, so all was well. Ex demo instruments should be covered by a warranty, either from the manufacturer or the company selling them on.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2015-03-24 07:48
Classifying an instrument as a "demo" also makes it possible for a retailer to get around a manufacturer's minimum price.
Best regards,
jnk
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