 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Halo1115
Date: 2015-04-02 04:40
I'm looking into buying one of these, and I haven't been able to find anything on the clarinet, let alone the brand.
Is this a decent brand to start on for a new clarinet? It's cheaper than other Eb Clarinets, so I'm assuming that's the quality that I will get.
Please help if you can. Any info on the brand or clarinet itself is great
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-04-02 05:10
The Allora is a Chinese-sourced, hard rubber instrument. If you look around and compare photos carefully, there's a very good chance you can find the identical instrument sold under a different brand name for much less money.
There are a few Vito 7212Eb E-flats still available new if you look around on the Web; Weiner Music has some for $899. I haven't played one, but accompanied on piano a soloist who played one of these. Using the stock mouthpiece, he was able to play well in tune and with a warm tone that wasn't screechy or strident at all--I was rather impressed with what he could get out of it. Were I in the market for a new E-flat and budget was a concern, that's the first one I would try.
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Author: Halo1115
Date: 2015-04-02 05:15
Ok. I'm buying it through a previous owner, and I'm getting MORE than a great deal on it, so I wouldn't necessarily be able to find a better deal
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Author: barney
Date: 2015-04-02 19:10
Hi Ursa,
I'm also responding to your reply on this subject. I just canceled a Buffet E-11 Eb order after waiting months for the instrument. The dealer refunded my $1800, so now I am looking for an alternative. I see that the Vito Eb is available on the weiner website for $915 w/shipping. I have a new fobes Eb mouthpiece that I was going to use with the E-11. I'm also looking at a used R-13 Eb on eBay and weiner is also offering a discounted E-11, though I don't know if it is in stock. Money is an issue and I lack experience on the Eb. Intonation is a big issue, so your experience with someone who played the vito might be a good indicator of what might be good for me. I plan to play jazz and some symphonic band stuff with it and I am a decent old amateur player. Perhaps you can also give me some advice on the subject.
analog9@hotmail.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-04-02 20:40
Barney, based on spending many hours in a practice room with a soloist on the Vito E-flat, I can tell you this:
1. The chalameau was surprisingly rich, round, and woody. A pleasure to listen to.
2. The clarion and altissimo were powerful, as you'd expect from an E-flat, yet avoided shrillness and stridency.
3. Response from note to note and between the registers was even; clarion A did have more punch than the rest of the clarion scale.
4. I have perfect pitch and the soloist was able to play the Vito in tune. He was also able to bend pitches at will throughout the entire compass of the instrument.
5. The included mouthpiece is a Woodwind Company Steel Ebonite G8 (0.98mm tip opening, medium facing length), not a cheap plastic doorstop. From the results noted above, you will have a very decent spare or change-of-pace mouthpiece to go along with your Fobes.
I really enjoyed my time accompanying the Vito E-flat and, given the tuning and timbral characteristics noted above, would buy one in a heartbeat if I needed an Eefer.
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Author: barney
Date: 2015-04-02 21:05
Hi "Ursa,"
I took your advice and made an offer on a used Vito Eb. I may opt and buy a new one but looked to save a few bucks. This is a viable option to what I was going to do with an E-11 or used R-13.
Thank you.
analog9@hotmail.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-04-02 22:14
Barney, good luck on your bid for a used Vito.
I've often wondered what these would be like with a Fobes or Backun barrel and/or one of Backun's pearwood bells. A little extra sweetness to the tone would have made it even more satisfying to listen to. Keeping in mind that the soloist plays a Leblanc LL B-flat and goes for a smooth tone with just a touch of reediness on that instrument, perhaps it's just a matter of the reed selection and the voicing techniques employed.
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Author: efsf081
Date: 2015-04-03 08:05
Barney, If you look for a used R13 Eb, you need to concern about the age of that clarinet. I know some of the old R13 eb tuning is not very good, maybe not as good as a modern vito/bundy.
If the long E/B and long F#/C# key share the same screw, it is an older model.
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Author: barney
Date: 2015-04-03 21:00
I bought a $520 refurbished Vito Eb with a 1 year warranty and 7 day return. I'll try it with my Clark Fobes mpc to see how accurate it is. There is also a used Allora on the website for $400 but the guy said it wouldn't work with my mpc. I decided not to risk the used R-13 or spend more on the new E-11 right now that I canceled. Based on what I've read here and my own needs and budget, this seems like the most viable option. I'm looking forward to trying it out.
analog9@hotmail.com
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