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Re: Why did you choose New? Or Vintage?

Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-19 21:16

I bought a new Backun Alpha last month to replace my Ridenour RCP-576BC as well as the plastic-bodied instruments in my studio.

I bought it because I gig outdoors and rehearse indoors in venues with poor climate control. The Alpha is a worry-free non-wooden clarinet that is virtually without compromise. The tuning accuracy is nearly as impeccable as with the Ridenour; the sensitive response, lovely chalumeau register and superb projection are evocative of my favourite wooden clarinet, the Selmer Centered Tone; and the wonderfully centered and powerful timbre is reminiscent of a good R13. It also has silver-plated key work, which I prefer under my fingers. Another plus is the adjustable extra large thumb rest, which affords play-all-day comfort for the right hand. The Alpha is a delight, a treat, and a treasure for the kind of playing that I do.

The Ridenour, for me, just doesn't get the job done in terms of projection when played outdoors--and I've spent many hundreds on mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures in a futile attempt to make it really speak. The key work on my 2010 example is soft, and I worry about it again getting knocked out of whack out on a gig.

The plastic-bodied clarinets replaced include a B&H 1-10 (gorgeous voicing and with nice ergonomic touches but incurably out-of-tune), a Yamaha YCL-20 (in-tune but annoyingly strident), and a Vito 7214 (worn and with sharp throat tones using my favourite mouthpieces).

I didn't buy vintage because I've already tried nearly every non-wooden vintage clarinet that was of interest to me. Only the Pruefers listed below have ultimately proven to be satisfactory solutions.

Post Edited (2015-06-19 21:24)

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