 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2015-11-21 05:24
First, it's great to be back reading and re-reading these threads. It's great that this forum is still here! (Although slightly surprised that the software hasn't seen much improvement in 15 years... but nothing against Mark Charrette.)
I haven't played the clarinet in about 15 years. When I last played, I had a new Buffet Festival Bb clarinet that I enjoyed and later sold. I also had a nice Buffet R-13 made back in the mid-80's... that I also sold. I still have my Vandoren M13 Lyre mouthpiece, a Rovner Dark ligature (which I'll upgrade to a Rovner V-1R - since I used to have an Eddie Daniel's Rovner ligature), and I used to use Vandoren V12 #4 reeds.
I plan to rejoin a community college band just to enjoy playing the clarinet again, and I'll probably play a couple of numbers in church (music transposed for Bb instruments), as well as Handel's Messiah every year with the church.
As I've been doing some research, I plan to buy a professional hard rubber clarinet from Tom Ridenour. I remember back 15 years ago or so when he was promoting the TR147 student clarinet (which apparently had some consistency issues)... but I liked that he was trying to help students be better players with better equipment.
Before I ask the question, please be assured that I have used the search function extensively. (Google and Bing are my friends.) I've book marked quite a few pages and a couple of threads on this topic (including some from clarinetpages.net and Sherman Friedman's Clarinet Corner).
I've chosen to go the hard rubber route because I don't want to spend much time maintaining the wood in a clarinet, worrying about cracking (even though I'm in mild SoCal), nor do I want to have to do a lot to compensate for deficiencies in the manufacturing of a clarinet to get a good sound, tone, or play in tune. It would seem that either Ridenour clarinet would seem to 'fit the bill' perfectly for me for those characteristics.
Keeping cost aside... which of the two clarinets would you prefer and why? And if you use a similar mouthpiece/ligature/reed setup to what I used to use... which clarinet do you think would be the better fit for me?
All replies are appreciated. Thank you for your thoughts!
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2015-11-21 17:44
I bought my first 576 at a pawn shop three years ago. I already had a particularly good R13 at the time and didn't need a new a new Bb. Nevertheless the 576 had replaced the R13. About a year ago I decided to try out the Libertas and boy was I glad I did. It has everything ive ever wanted in a clarinet, great intonation, extreme eveness and a great tone, not to mention the keywork is much stronger than the 576. I would say if you have the spare cash go for the Libertas.
I've tried many mouthpieces with the Libertas and my favorite by far is Mr. Ridenour's own mouthpiece. I also sometimes use a Richard Hawkins B.
Hope this helps!
I am not being paid or compensated in any way for this. I am just a really satisfied customer.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-11-21 21:08
Among my growing collection, lately my most used B-flat is the Ridenour Libertas. I purchased it based on my extreme satisfaction with his Lyrique C clarinet, which is a totally fabulous instrument. The Libertas displaced a couple Selmer Series 10 horns, a Leblanc, and also my trusty 1969 Buffet R13, but it may make a comeback once I get it back from Brannen in Evanston (2nd time - first Brannenization lasted 20 years!) I wanted a top-line clarinet for all the theater pit work I do. I often felt bad playing my "woodies" in horrible environments. Well, the Libertas fit that bill, and then some. I love that horn. Totally even intonation, warm and dark sound, comfy keywork (I had Tom replace the register key to a conventional design, even though I love his style register key on my C clarinet), and a nice "ring" to the sound, as well! With my Fobes CWF mouthpiece - I have great control - barely audible ppp bottom to extreme altissimo, and when I mash on the pedal, so to speak, I can remove wallpaper on the back wall of the hall. This horn is a wonderful clarinet.
I have not tried his other B-flat clarinet, but I'm sure Tom's extreme sense of detail makes that a wonderful clarinet, as well.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-11-21 22:12
The 576 and Libertas are great section instruments but do they have the character and flexibility to be great solo instruments also.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2015-11-22 11:51
Character and flexibility come from the player, not the instrument. Depending on the individual musicians' requirements, specific kinds of hardware can be more or less effective, thus the wide range of mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, and instruments available.
A true artist paints with any brush.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-11-24 17:28
Been using my lyrique (technically, an Arioso that was fined by Tom) daily. Tunes great, sounds great, easy to play. I highly recommend. Better than the majority of "professional horns" (those advertised as such) that I've played.
I have no knowledge of the liberate, but for what it's worth, I have a relatively soft and relaxed play style and have never bent any keys or anything on the lyrique.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: CocoboloKid
Date: 2015-11-24 21:06
I've also been using the Libertas for the vast bulk of my professional engagements for about a year and a half now, and it's never let me down. The 576 is a great horn for the price, but the Libertas is a real pro instrument, and is where the bulk of Tom's real ingenuity and expertise is. Like everyone else has said, the scale is great, it's extremely even, and has a beautiful sound, all the way up to the top of the altissimo. Keywork is also very solid and feels great.
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