 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Randy
Date: 2001-05-23 02:19
My 8 year old son was given a Vito Reso-Tone b-flat clarinet.Is this good for a starter clarinet and how can I find out how old it is ? It has #66319 on it. Thanks for the help
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Author: Sue B
Date: 2001-05-23 03:27
This is a fine starter clarinet. If he gets good and progresses to a wooden clarinet you might want to keep this one because you don't do marching and football games with a nice wooden clarinet.
I probably wouldn't worry too much about the age. I doubt it's worth any serious $$. You might want to take it in and have the pads and the instrument checked out.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-05-23 03:47
Ditto! Depending on how long you plan to keep the clarinet, I'd invest in a full overhaul. It'd play like new afterwards and it'll last another 20 years. Take good care of it. If I were a private instructor, i'd look to see how well the instrument was treated before advising on an upgrade to a nice wood one for high school or college.
In fact, I'd take him to a private instructor to have him learn how to properly take care of the instrument. Putting it together, taking it apart, swabbing it out, and maybe even using a screwdriver to tighten screws occasionally.
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2001-05-23 07:11
The Vito Resotone sells on ebay for anything from $50 to about $200. You can take it the clarinet will not fetch much when you sell it, but it is worth a lot to you. It is a good starter clarinet.
The Resotone seems to have been made about 20 years ago. As a result, some of the pads may be deteriorating and may need to be replaced. Find a music shop which does repairs and ask them to look at it. They will quickly tell you what it is likely to cost to fix up. When I got Vito checked out, I got away with only $5 worth of repairs.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-05-23 07:23
Just adding my 'seconds' to the above comments, Randy.
Good horn.
As mentioned above, you might want to have it looked at to fix any leaks and check the adjustment. Most Vitos will keep going and going and going as long as they're not overly abused.
Age really has little to do with anything. Vitos, to the best of my knowledge, have always produced good (sturdy) student horns.
- ron b -
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-05-23 11:10
Randy I just started "clarineting" last Sept. (age 62) and the Vito was recomended to me (by a pro) as an inexpensive way to start. I found mine used, at a music store, for $239 in excellent condition. the serial, #A73663. It plays very well and does everything I'm smart enough to do with it (and more),
As above, with proper adjustment, corks and pads, it should last forever (unless it falls out of the car, school bus, etc.-- then you'll be glad you didn't invest much).
~ jerry
Still in Clarinet Boot Camp
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-05-24 11:51
It is great when you are given an instrument that is suitable for a beginner, especially when it is better than several other plastic models, but in case this thread is being read by prospective Vito buyers I think extravagant praise needs to be tempered with the following 3 realities (among others) that I have experienced:
1. Self-adhesive "Valentino"-type synthetic key and linkage 'corks' are being used on Vitos. On such small areas the adhesive does not hold and the corks progressively 'creep' off. Complete recorking is not an inexpensive job, and if it is done piece-meal as the corks fall off it will be considerably more expensive.
2. Non-level edges on tone holes are common and key cup alignment is inaccurate. The manufacturer has chosen to use soft, spongy pads prolbably to accommodate this substandard manufacture. If/when repadding is necessary and better pads are used these problems may need to be addressed and are time consuming, therfore expensive.
3. In my experience Vitos are significantly more inclined to snap in half in an accident than say Yamaha. This sure is a significant consideration if it does happen.
I consider that these sorts of not-so-long-term expensive matters need to be considered when comparing prices of different instruments for purchase. I think it is good that it becomes public knowledge when a manufacturer allows its product to progressively lose quality standards. Otherwise unwitting buyers become the long term losers for the manufacturer's financial gain.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-05-24 16:20
Gordon -
Many of the newer instruments from major manufactures have some, if not all, of the problems you list. Music store owners I know are (reluctantly) forced to pass on the expense to their customers. The proceedure nowadays seems to be that when the dealer gets in a shipment it is carefully inspected. Then with a large percentage of them adjustments and even *repairs* of some of the flaws you mention are done before the horn(s) can be displayed for sale. So much for the old days of 'quality control'. A friend of my son recently worked for S----- (may still be there, I don't know) where the goal-quota for student trumpets was 350 a shift. Spitting horns out at that rate, while keeping the cost down, makes 'detailing' impossible and flaws will slip by even under the most careful human scrutiny.
This is not the case here. Randy's son got the instrument as a hand-me-down. Regardless of age it's quite possible that it's as good as a new off the assembly line model.
In my severely limited experience, the middle joint tenon is the weakest part of any clarinet. As David points out, most private instructors emphasize this during the initial care-of-the-instrument introduction. Most repair people are happy to spend a little time with you in this regard as well.
- ron b -
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Author: Corey
Date: 2001-05-25 01:22
THIS IS JUST MY OPNION( not to discourage any one from trying and owning a vito) -- but i cannot stand the sound of vitos in the clarion register they are sooo flat( from my expierence) and their sound does not compare at all to my E11 -- What other plastic bodied clarinets are "good" clarinets?? i've heard heard that some think the Yamaha model 20 clarinet is better-- what do all of you think??
------->Corey
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-25 01:46
Anyone that can find a Yamahopper 20 for $50 is a garage-sale archaeologist; they're out there but uncommon.
Vitos and Bundys are readily available, tough, easily repaired and not bad players.
I like them as the sections are basically interchangeable.
I don't know many JV bands that play in tune, let alone show up for rehearsal on time. A few cents sharp or flat is not critical to beginning players.
Practice habits and a sense of fun with the music are sound goals.
anji
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-25 13:27
Corey wrote:
>
> THIS IS JUST MY OPNION( not to discourage any one from
> trying and owning a vito) -- but i cannot stand the sound of
> vitos in the clarion register they are sooo flat( from my
> expierence) and their sound does not compare at all to my E11
> -- What other plastic bodied clarinets are "good" clarinets??
> i've heard heard that some think the Yamaha model 20 clarinet
> is better-- what do all of you think??
> ------->Corey
Did you ever try the Vito with a decent mouthpiece rather than the one that came with it? I have a Vito as a backup to my pro Leblanc and have not experienced these problems. I use my Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece with high quality reeds on both and the listener can seldom tell the difference.
Mouthpieces make a huge difference in whether an instrument plays in tune. I happen to play slightly sharp in the upper clarion and altissimo on both my pro horn and my backup Vito.
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-05-28 14:32
I still have my VITO
I got it in 69/70 in the fifth grade.....and it was used then... got it for 75 and well... I dont know if I would let it go plays good.... of course I keep in tuned up and when any maint needs to be done, it gets it...
it is a good horn for the weather... can take some punishment.... like a timex ....keeps on ticking
mike
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