 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-10-01 21:41
Any really good dealers in the USA that stock many, check out, set up, and service Yamaha professional clarinets?
Looking for an SEV ... I think.
Tom
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-10-01 22:16
Hi Tom,
I'm not sure that any dealers stock them so getting a clarinet or two sent to you might not be an option. But I got my CS Custom at Meridian Winds. Eric Satterlee, the owner and a wonderful tech, had to order it. However, it was a terrific clarinet and he took care of a few very small tweaks right away.
You can give him a call and tell him I sent you. I believe Eric has a strong relationship with Yamaha and that could be to your advantage as a customer. See what kind of deal you can make.
HRL
PS I have not business interest in Meridian Winds in any way.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-10-01 22:34
There are popular dealers with the SEV clarinets (maybe only 1 or 2 in stock) ... but they only ship out of a warehouse, untouched since they came from Japan, with the plastic wrap on the body. I guess this could be good in some way ... at least it is not a demo or has been around the block, in and out of the store for evaluation. Generally, Yamaha's are much better than the competition on consistency of playing (except maybe the Ridenour hard rubber clarinets). So, you could take a chance and at least return it if is was a dud or had workmanship problems ...
Thanks!
More suggestions?
Tom
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2016-10-01 23:25
Hi Tom,
Two+ years ago I communicated many times with the Yamaha Atelier in New York. I was not beating around the bush about wanting to come up and buy when they could provide me several CSG Bb's and A's to try.
Cutting a long story short: I bought the clarinets I wanted, found a Bb and an A that are the closest match I've ever had, but it wasn't in New York -- and they were never able to get more than 2 or 3 (max!) in at one time...and that was the Yamaha store itself.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-10-02 03:42
I travel a lot and stopped by a store in Memphis three weeks ago ... they had two CSVRs (one to show and one to go) and about eight 650s. I had played 650s on numerous occasions and so I went thru several and picked one out ... and got the price down to mail order price. I asked if they ever had SEVs in the store, and they said "No, we just sell mostly to HS students" ... "but I can see if the rep can bring one in" ... they were a Buffet dealer but seemed lukewarm on selling these ... I think after the specialty dealers poured thru the R13s in Florida, and got the pick of the litter, they felt that what was left was "B" stock ...
Interested in SEV (I played one for a brief while, years ago ... very good) because I like the 650 and the SEV is a refined version (implied by Yamaha). The 650 reminds me of my old YCL-62 ... which I liked a lot ... centered and clear, but with some covering and warmth. I think these clarinets have an outstanding timbre for some types of music. I won an audition for an orchestra position and a semi-pro wind ensemble playing a 62 and 65 ...
,
Tom
Post Edited (2016-10-02 03:43)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-10-02 08:31
I have heard that the Yamaha clarinets generally do not project as well as the R13's. Is there any truth to this?
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Author: gwie
Date: 2016-10-02 10:20
No. Not in the present.
Post Edited (2016-10-02 10:21)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-10-02 16:58
There is nothing magic about "projection" ... all the acoustic power comes from the muscles that move air out of the lungs. "Projection" is simply the distribution and quantity of the overtones. So, a bright and penetrating sound, however unpleasant and unmusical MIGHT "project" better ... do you want/need that? Never to say the R13 is bright and penetrating, at least in the hands of a good performer with the right complementary MP/barrel and reed. Any competent design can sound terrible, if played poorly.
Now, it could be that some designs don't turn your lung power into acoustic power as efficiently, at least within the bandwidth and overtone distribution important for music ... the extra or lost power would have to be wasted as heat or spurious and unmusical noise ... I guess.
The Backun instruments (IMHO) are darker/warmer/more subdued than the R13s, and many top players are moving to these ...
I heard that about my Ridenour Libertas (doesn't project) ... but trials on a music store a few weeks ago pretty much discouraged that notion ...
In any case, the YCL-650 has gobs of clarity and "projection" and keeping a sweet character to the sound without sounding thin, bright and nasty. I am hoping for more/better from the SEV.
The 650 and SE(V) are allegedly designed in the style of the Buffet RC bore. The CS bore is more like the R13 ... but I know there are variations, such as the CSG ("G" means hybrid German/French) ... So, Yamaha knows that the popular paradigm of sound comes from Buffet ... they are just trying to remove some of the tuning/blowing/timbre/consistency anomalies ...
I'd like to audition the Buffet Tradition (fat chance of finding one locally ...).
Tom
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