 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-05-09 13:26
Hey y'all - can you check this out and offer opinions please? I'm looking for a "C" to play with along with the violinist and oboist in family. I'm tired of transposing :-) . It's item #1428946301.
TIA beth
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-09 14:07
Hi Beth - The C [?] clarinet [and case] look exactly like my [1920's?] plastic Conn C that I dearly love for its different tonal character and playing enjoyment. The only difference I can see is the "positional" reversal in the case, which might be a reversal of the pic negative [if used]. I found mine to play well with a slightly small Bb mouthpiece, but was a bit flat [prob. tuned to 435, not present 440+], which I solved but getting a skilled machinist to take some 2-3 mm off the mp body and tenon [both]., so as to not try to shorten the barrel! It is possible that it [or mine, or both] are "stencils" [made by someone else and named by the seller]. Since the length difference from a Bb is only an inch or so, its pitch and in-tuneness needs to be carefully checked, but any repairs should present no problems [if tenons and sockets are intact. So, you need, IMHO, to ask for an inspection period especially if any reservations are expressed by the seller on the points I,ve suggested. Offhand it looks good. LUCK, Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-05-09 14:53
Lemaire was the intermediate line of SML clarinets (SML = Strasser Marigaux Lemaire). Strasser was the student line and Marigaux the professional line. Looks like a hard rubber ("ebonite", as opposed to plastic) clarinet ---- should play pretty well, although the bidding price seems to be creeping rather high for a non-wood instrument. Probably a safe purchase, however, if you need a "C" clarinet. You might be well advised to confirm with the seller that it is absolutely a "C" clarinet --- how does the seller know this? Caveat emptor.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-05-09 17:36
Ditto the above--lots of "sellers" are not "players" and many cannot distinguish between and alto or bass clarinet, much less C, Bb, A, or Eb. Recently, I won the bid on a "bass" clarinet that the seller told me was 27 7/8 in. in body length (without the bell). Bass clars are 34 in. so I had to retract my bid. Good luck with auctions!!!!!!!!!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-05-09 18:31
Another supportive(?) 'ditto' here, Beth.
At best you might get a great deal. At worst you may be able to re-sell it and not lose too much. In the pic it looks to be in fair shape.
The instrument was, according to the seller, 'just serviced and checked out'.
Now... the seller adds the comments that it 'may not be wood, rather ebonite' and 'may need pads'. Well.... I see, not necessarily negative inconsistencies but, inconsistencies. My guess it that this seller knows only what someone else has said the item is.
I'd be real sure, IN WRITING, that this is *in fact* a C clarinet. It's nearly impossible to tell from a picture. If the servicing and checking, whatever that was, was inaccurate prior to going up for auction... well,
'nuf said already :|
[ By the way, Beth, transposing gets easier and easier, second nature really, the more you do it. I have to remind myself sometimes NOT to transpose :]
- ron b -
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-09 18:34
Beth -
It's definitely a C clarinet. The bidding is up over $200, which is about the limit for an older, intermediate grade clarinet, though C clarinets do tend to go for higher prices on eBay than Bbs.
I'm worried about the inconsistent descriptions. The seller first says it's "Excell[e]nt shape...just serviced and checked out...Wood" and then says "may be a[n] ebonite horn and needs some pads." How can an instrument be "just serviced" and still need pads? And a seller who can't tell the difference between wood and plastic really doesn't know much.
The photo isn't quite good enough to show whether it's wood or plastic. The open areas of wood (barrel, bell, top of the upper joint) are shiny, but the areas around the keys on the upper joint look dull. Maybe the "servicing" consisted of buffing up the easy to reach areas.
The case style is old enough that you need to worry about it being at high pitch. I wouldn't buy it without the unconditional right to return it if you don't like it. Still, it looks nice....
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-05-09 20:14
Thanks for the opinions. I think I'll go ahead and email my standard list of questions - cracks, repairs, is there an inspection period etc...but if it gets much higher i probably won't bid on it. It's great to be able to call upon the experience at this board! beth
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-05-11 06:38
The WW&BW company sells a Buffet/Evette C clarinet for about $800 or so, Model E-11C. These are wood instruments with undercut toneholes and could possibly be good instruments. Has anyone here tried them?
I'm now playing oboe in a local opera company's production of "The Barber of Seville". The clarinet parts are for A, Bb, and C clarinets with some difficult C parts. Rossini must have wanted the bright C clarinet sound. The second clarinet player is an old associate so I loaned him my Marcel Deleau C clarinet which made it a lot easier for him. There are many orchestra parts that call for C clarinets including the Bizet C major symphony, etc.
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