The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Antonio
Date: 2001-05-23 21:22
Is Buescher clarinets any good? Have a look in this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1433219349
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-05-23 21:32
As I remember, Bueschers are "stenciled" bundys. Its a beginner Bass Clarinet. There has been a decent amount of debate as to who makes the best beginner basses. Some like the Bundy/Bueschers and some the Vito/Yamahas. Compare the price to sold Bundy Basses on eBay to get a feel for what you should be paying.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-23 22:17
Antonio -
It has that Bundy look about it. At least it has the low Eb, which makes E/B playable, and it has a double register key mechanism, which is a plus. With a decent mouthpiece and if the reserve isn't too high, it might be OK, though you never know what the pads are like. The ad says "somebody engraved a number on it," which almost certainly means it was owned by a school system and had hard use. I'm a little suspicious that there are no photos showing it from the front. The seller may not want to show some badly worn keys.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-05-23 22:38
Thought let you know - that's at least the third go round of that instrument being offered for bid. I've been looking for an alto and had kind of an eye on it. I don't know what the reserve is on the instrument, no one has met it yet, but the bidding has gone over $200.00 on the alto. THT beth
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Author: Antonio
Date: 2001-05-23 23:26
Thank you guys
Ken you are right about the pics, I have a bit of experience on saxes and know how trick the auctions can be. About the tip of neck number I could never guess that, really thanks.
Beth
Let's see what's going to happen, I know that on ebay you must not do any bid by emotion and instruments comes all year around , just to be patient and I could not make my mind about alto and bass clarinets either.
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-05-24 01:11
Oh, I don't think I'll do any bidding any time soon on an alto clarinet....with having to buy an oboe, cello and orchestra bells, ole mom just has to wait her turn at a second instrument. But it doen't hurt to look and see what's out there...you never know.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-05-24 14:32
Hi Antonio,
There might be a bit of misunderstanding in these replies. Stephen Froehlich says "Its a beginner Bass Clarinet...." while others say an alto clarinet. I go for the alto. I bought one like it from eBay, also a Buescher, in playable condittion for $150 USD. I sent the mouthpiece off to Dave S... on this BB who refaced it for me and I play on it ( not quite the same as "playing it") and enjoy myself very much.
There has been a lot of discussion on this BB about Alto clarinets and those who would consider buying them. The operative question seems to hinge on "WHY" buy one? Go up to "Search", enter "Alto Clarinet" and have a read. Most feel that the music is not available for it as the role assigned to it can be doubled by either an alto sax or a bass clarinet. As for me, I couldn't afford a bass and I like the tone/range. I am not playing professionally, am playing for my own pleasure, and mostly play by ear---so I don't have to answer any of the "why's".
Right now there are some bass clarinets on eBay but most admit that they are going to need repair/repadding/realignment which could add another $200-250 USD to your final tab.
Happy choices,
Bob A
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-24 14:43
Beth - It sounds to me like you have your "musical-hands" full for a while! From a casual view of -----9349, it appears to me that this Alto cl pre-dates any involvement with Bundy, and is similar [same?] as one I once owned, now in John Butler's posession, I believe. If so, my recollections are that it was no better than fair in playing, had some "reach" problems, [for my rt hand I believe] and did NOT have "double register" keying, just the usual linkage between reg key and [larger] "pinch" Bb tone hole/pad. If you are still interested, you might inquire about it with J B, I will try to study-out the reg keying and will report any findings. I prefer the Selmer and LeBlanc altos for my use. Luck, Don
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Author: Antonio
Date: 2001-05-25 04:07
Thanks
Can I use my Alto sax music to the alto clarinet once they are in Eb?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-25 15:41
Of course, and [by ones'self] play Bb and bass parts and those in C , they will just sound a bit different transposed by the instrument! When an alto cl part is not available in our community band's [older] music, I usually resort to alto sax 1 or 2 or bari sax or contra-alto [in Eb] and pick what is more needed, so as to not have to transpose a bass cl Bb part [the 4th/5th trans. is difficult for me] !! The alto sax usually is written quite high and therefore is in the weaker ranges of the alto cl, so at times I just play the malady by ear, as in marches! Try it, Don
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-05-29 03:01
Anything Eb is playable with alto clarinet. Alto and bari sax, most notably. If you're not doing any really professional playing, an alto can be fun to have. I rarely run into trouble obtaining alto parts in music we play in my high school or military band. Everyonce in awhile, though, it happens and I either switch to soprano for a number, or just play an alto or bari sax part. Altos are fun underrated instruments. Give it a shot!
Jenna
(champion of alto clarinets worldwide)
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