 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kstrychalski
Date: 2015-07-06 19:22
Hi everyone, my name is Kristen and I am going to be a senior in high school. I have been playing clarinet for 7 years now and intend on pursuing a double major in Music Performance and in Nursing. I am constantly involved in the music community between honor band, All State, and All County. I have made the decision to purchase a professional clarinet to start playing on so that I will have it and be prepared for college auditions and any other honor groups this year.
My budget is no higher than $2300 and I would like to stay as low as possible without losing quality. I currently play on my schools intermediate level wooden Yamaha with a Vandoren B45 Lyre mouthpiece and I just recently switched to Grand Concert Thick Blank reeds and love them! I have some interest in the Buffett R-13, but am open to all (and would be more than thrilled to receive) advice. Ideally I would be able to find a clarinet and order it as soon as possible. I have a couple workshops and camps coming up in the next few weeks and would love to have my new instrument by then.
Used instruments are more than okay with me, as long as they are in good condition. I was wondering if there was a specific brand or model that is especially consistent in quality.
[ Edited - GBK ]
Thank you SO much. Your advice truly means the world to me.
Kristen S.
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Author: faltpihl ★2017
Date: 2015-07-06 21:41
I'd have to recommend the Ridenour Libertas. Especially for people living in the US who may even be able to send the clarinet for modifications if desired.
Regards
Peter
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-07-06 22:14
I second the Ridenour suggestion, but I would suggest you audition the 576BC in addition to the Libertas. Then choose without regard to price. They are both fine designs but differ in playing characteristics.
One thing I would say for certain- you should not allow anyone to talk you into some other make, or talk you out of a Ridenour, without giving these clarinets a fair comparison.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-07-06 22:56
You really can not go wrong with a reconditioned Buffet R13 from a reputable seller such as Walter Grabner at clarinetxpress.com. or other quality sellers. Chances are your fellow musicians will be playing R13's which contributes to uniformity. Best of luck with your endeavors.
Post Edited (2015-07-06 22:58)
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-07-06 23:45
Kristen:
While we could very easily refute the claim that Ridenour Clarinets are the best bar none (or few--although many swear by them), it's a harder claim to contend that they aren't one of the best buys (values) in professional clarinets right now--because they are.
If you're going to go this route, do try before you buy: an opportunity the Ridenours will gladly extend to you, as no clarinet is for everyone.
IMHO, cast aside those uncomfortable with the fact that they are made of hard rubber rather than grenadilla. Not only do I believe this detracts nothing from play, cogent arguments could be made that using this material over wood enhances performance.
Final IMHO: Ridenour clarinets offer more resistance than Buffet's I have tried and own. This is not a criticism; it's a feature. Tom (Ridenour) seeks to design just such instruments that hold their tonal shape, color, pitch. See if this resistance is one you concur with, and if it appeals to you. You may find it "married" to the B45: a very open mouthpiece--a good pairing.
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Author: kstrychalski
Date: 2015-07-07 01:31
What do you think about the LeBlanc Cadenza? I found a deal for $1700. I'm not completely sold on the Ridenour's, but will look into them. The R-13 I have played on before wasn't my favorite, but I think it would just take some getting used to.
Kristen S.
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Author: Mcrill
Date: 2015-07-07 02:15
Ridenour clarinets are great and worth a look - I love my 576BC. In the price range you're talking about, the Backun Protege is an excellent instrument that might be worth considering as well.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-07-07 03:00
I have tried all BUT the Advantage in the F. Arthur Uebel line of clarinets. The Superior and the Preference are absolutely amazing professional level clarinets. The "bottom of the line" is the Classic, which for my money is one of the best student horns around (though a bit pricey at around $1300). I would think the Advantage would be a good entry level professional clarinet and around you price points (though I don't know what that is exactly - I'm pretty sure the advantage is $2900).
One dealer is Madison Band Supply in Madison AL, run by Mr. Frank Cotton. He will be able to answer all your questions.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: ClaV
Date: 2015-07-07 03:03
Cadenza is a discontinued entry level professional clarinet designed by Backun for Leblanc.
Current Backun's Protege will be a comparable improved version for about 2K new.
Backun's Symphony and Legacy designs for Leblanc, as well as Ridenour's Opus and Concerto would make for an excellent choice of a used clarinet, especially if R13 is not your favourite.
Post Edited (2015-07-07 03:05)
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2015-07-07 03:05
Kristen:
I too am a lover of Ridenour, but use my Prestige Buffet more often. Tom Ridenour is a great guy. At times, Ridenour, does have special financing (not sure if it's going on right now) for 6 monthly payments at 0% interest. It's worth a call to Ted (Tom's son).
Another option is to get a hold of Phil Muncy at Muncy Winds. When I bought my Prestige eons ago, I called Phil and said, "send the best you have, I don't feel like taking months to pick out a horn." He did and I found my clarinet in an afternoon. To this date, anytime anybody plays my horn I get, "Damn, that's a great clarinet." It's worth a phone call, they might do the same for you. Pam and Phil Muncy have always been beyond nice when I've called. As far as I know, Phil literally plays every horn they get in inventory. He knows which are the 'better' instruments.
Good Luck!
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-07-07 03:07
The LeBlanc Cadenza would be an instrument from their line of pro instruments, but a step below the Concerto and Opus - both designed by Tom Ridenour.
Now, what College/University are you planning on attending? I would contact the Music Chair of Clarinet, and discuss options there. I say this because you're going to have to live with these folks for 4 or more years. Regardless of the qualities of any clarinet, you don't want to face discrimination through your College years because of a Brand-Name Faux-Paux.
Me? I play an ancient Buffet R13, several Selmer Series 10 horns, Selmer Centered Tone, and my currently most used (professionaly) the Ridenour Libertas.
I really would stay off e-Bay, never know what you'll get. A reputable Dealer/Reseller can source or stock good used horns. My favorite Selmer Series 10 cost me around $950, put a quick $500 into it for the Brannen's of Evanston to re-do it, and it is wonderful! (Then why the Ridenour, you ask? - I do a lot of outdoor and also theater-pit orchestra work, and I feel awful putting that beautiful Selmer through that! Anyway - the Ridenour Libertas is totally in tune, plays great, feels great, super sweet dark tone. Just that the Selmer has an edge in the "how" it plays)
Keep us informed on your choices!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: knotty
Date: 2015-07-07 03:25
I can't add anything to a choice of clarinets but just like to say be extremely careful of those auction sites especially since your dealing with a bit of money. Watch out for fakes too.
~ Musical Progress: None ~
Post Edited (2015-07-07 03:25)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-07-07 08:48
Ditto on the Ridenour clarinets ... try both the Libertas and 576.
Just sent my Libertas to Tom for some personal tuning tweaks and adjustments, which he implemented perfectly, very quickly, and at no cost, (other than return shipping). Also purchased one of his barrel in a slightly longer length to help my various Vandoren non-13 series to play in tune with less pulling. As a side benefit, the new barrels are the "C" bore, which seem to have an even more compact response, which I like.
There are also probably other gems out there, relatively unknown, like the Uebel clarinets, which I hear are well priced and excellent.
Big advantage with the Ridenour clarinets is that you can get them adjusted and tweaked by the actual designer of the instruments, and also that they are make of hard rubber, which has many advantages.
A reconditioned R13 might be a good choice, purchased from a dealer that is very selective and really knows and plays the clarinet. The R13s are very robust, but harder to play.
Try them all!
Good luck.
Tom
Post Edited (2015-07-07 16:30)
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2015-07-08 09:25
I would look on craigslist, when I was looking I found a few pro leblancs and a few r13's for decent prices. But Ridenour is a good option too, my 576bc does really well with Florida weather and the tuning and everything was pretty on point, but now a few months later I'm finding a few pads out of adjustment if that means anything
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Author: Bron357
Date: 2015-07-11 05:01
Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm not a pro player! However, I've bought many instruments over the years off eBay including a pair of the most superb R13s. That said, eBay isn't all bad. There are a number of professional sellers who have bricks and mortar stores who use eBay as an additional selling point. Most have no problem returns within 14 days. Buying from an individual can be risky (but I always seem to get lucky) so I wouldn't recommend that route. But as everyone will say, don't get hung up on names, try the instrument. One will speak to you and you'll know it's the right one for you. I live in Australia and available quality secondhand instruments are thin on the ground so I need (and love) eBay.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-07-11 06:19
I second Ken Jarczyk's advice to call the college you plan to attend, find out who your clarinet teacher is likely to be, and learn what brand and model(s) that teacher likes to see his or her students play. You can save yourself a lot of grief by doing that, especially if you plan to be a clarinet/music major and play in the school's orchestra, wind ensemble, and chamber music groups for 4 or more years. It can be painful for college clarinetists to find that they are the "odd ones out," playing a different instrument from the one the teacher prefers and the one most of the other clarnetists have.
No one has mentioned the Yamaha SEV, a wonderful instrument that tunes and sounds well and often sells for a little under $2800.00. Some really good pros use this instrument--for example, Romie de Guise-Langlois (at Lincoln Center in New York) and sound great on it.
Post Edited (2015-07-11 06:22)
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Author: donald
Date: 2015-07-11 06:47
Here in NZ we actually have a glut of good 2nd hand pro horns at bargain bin prices (mainly because the students don't want to buy them as the local stores put the "intermediate" horns at super low prices and they'd rather have something new), so let me know via email if you want me to let you know what is out there....
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-07-11 10:27
True, David! That is exactly what I said.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-07-11 16:19
Used R-13, or the new Yamaha CSVR. You won't be able to find the lowest selling price for the Yamaha on the internet. Sorry, I haven't yet seen one of the other brands mentioned that met my standards for quality or sound. Maybe that's due to the fact that I haven't seen many yet.
Steve Ocone
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