 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wils69
Date: 2017-01-07 08:17
Hi there
I are looking to purchase a second hand clarinet for my 9 year old who is joining band at school this year.
I recently saw one on gumtree a yamaha unused but 6 years old. The owner told me the corks looked good. My concerns would be as never used like a car might not be a good thing.
But l are wondering what everyones thoughts are?
Thanks
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-01-07 09:21
There are a lot of clarinets on Gumtree, EBay, Craigslist and such that were bought for a kid about to start lessons that may have been used for only a few weeks and then put away. I've bought many such, often at pocket-change prices and they were bargains.
That being said, not all such are, so look at the photos and if possible have a look at the actual instrument. Yamaha clarinets are generally built to a high standard and can normally be relied upon to play straight out of the box when new, so the one you're looking at could be a good buy. If the price is right, it would still be even if it needed a bit of work.
Factor in some allowance for possible work when you buy an instrument untested. If it needs work then you've already allowed for it and if it doesn't then you have some cash left over to spend on reeds, cleaning kit, music stand and the like. Good luck. 6 years is nothing in the life of a clarinet, so don't be put off by the numbers.
Tony F.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-01-07 10:47
Honestly second hand instruments are very hit and miss if u don't know what you are looking for... And even if u do, it is a go ways a gamble with eBay.
You need to add 200$ to the price for servicing... And then if it is still a bargain it might be worth the risk. If u add the two hundred and u get the new price, then buy new.
Now... I would say for a 9 year old beginner. Yamaha plastic, buffet plastic or ridenour (sort of plastic, but dearer but also better than the others)
These are safe options for students.
If you buy cheaper than those, the clarinet will, not often than not, force the student to quit. As they are too difficult to play (no matter what the sellers tell u)
Bargains are available, but it is always a gamble.
And I would be reluctant to believe any seller that says only used a few times. Those instructions I have bought to discover they have clearly been used a lot more than a few times.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-01-07 10:47
Honestly second hand instruments are very hit and miss if u don't know what you are looking for... And even if u do, it is a go ways a gamble with eBay.
You need to add 200$ to the price for servicing... And then if it is still a bargain it might be worth the risk. If u add the two hundred and u get the new price, then buy new.
Now... I would say for a 9 year old beginner. Yamaha plastic, buffet plastic or ridenour (sort of plastic, but dearer but also better than the others)
These are safe options for students.
If you buy cheaper than those, the clarinet will, not often than not, force the student to quit. As they are too difficult to play (no matter what the sellers tell u)
Bargains are available, but it is always a gamble.
And I would be reluctant to believe any seller that says only used a few times. Those instructions I have bought to discover they have clearly been used a lot more than a few times.
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Author: wils69
Date: 2017-01-07 14:41
Thanks for your reply Tony as l have no idea what would be a reasonable price for a ycl250 yamaha like l said 6 years old. They are asking $450 and she paid $550 new (on sale) with a receipt. I thought if nothing wrong would be a bargain but if servicing parts etc were needed maybe a little pricey???
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Author: wils69
Date: 2017-01-07 14:49
thanks sarah I'm starting to lean towards a shop that sells second hand with a warranty. Although if the one l have seen drops price could be the way to go
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-01-07 16:47
The YCL250 is a good student instrument, but even assuming that it is in good condition then in Oz $450 would be a bit on the high side for a 6-year-old instrument. A music shop would charge that sort of price, but they would sell it in good working order and with some sort of guarantee, so $450 is a bit rich with none of those benefits. If the seller would accept $350 I'd go for it, otherwise you'd do better to check out your second-hand guaranteed place. The Yamaha C100 and YCL24 and 26 are also good student instruments, as are the Buffet B12 and the Jupiter student instruments.
Tony F.
Post Edited (2017-01-07 16:48)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-01-08 03:51
With any used AND new clarinet, some coming from China as new and costing very little they don't play. The pads don't seal well and air leaks out of the horns. Keys are bent, the mouthpieces are horrible and your poor kid won't be able to get a sound out of the horn except a squeak.
I worked at a company called Rico Reeds and the owners often said well if the reeds don't vibrate well we can sell them to the beginners.
I soon put my foot down in anger and told them if they do this the kids will stop playing the clarinet and saxophone within the first few days of owning the horn. Give the not so good reeds to the pros and advanced players because they can adjust the reeds. Well they actually listened to me to a point.
If you can buy a used horn or a new horn from a music store your child will have a much better chance of staying with music. The music store often has players that can test out the horns before they sell them and maybe even have your child take lessons at the store. I strongly encourage kids to take lessons right from the beginning, even if it is group lessons of a few kids together.
Please don't buy a horn unless the seller can actually play the instrument and prove that it is excellent working condition. I would walk away from the Yamaha if it were me. I like Yamaha's but sitting around for 6 years surely will need some adjustments, such as a new pad or 2. They aren't expensive, but you have to take the horn to a special repairman, and I would strongly suggest a well known music store.
Just the mouthpiece alone can be really bad even if the horn is OK. So please take your time here and have it checked out from a good place. I hate Yamaha mouthpieces, but their horns can be pretty darn good.
It may cost a few extra dollars, euros, and in 5 years from now the clarinet may actually go up in value. Not a lot, but the horns from China surely won't.
Hope this helps - be careful and lets WATCH your child have fun playing with a good instrument. The excitement will be really fun.
Because I worked at Rico, please do not use Rico reeds, because they have pesticides on them, and kids shouldn't be exposed to these chemicals. Use plastic reeds, Vandoren reeds, Juno reeds, which are owned by Vandoren. This cane is pesticide free.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: wils69
Date: 2017-01-08 07:10
Thank you for your msg you are confirming what l thought after thinking of a product sitting around unused for so long. I have been recommended a good music store locally where the owner is an honest bloke so will check him out when his store reopens. And yes can't wait for my girl to start as she plays violin a bit too.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-01-09 03:12
With a developed air stream and embouchure, the Yamaha 250 plays way to sharp, unless you want to tune to A=445.
My YCL-650 is lower in pitch, but I swear the top joint of the clarinet is made about 1.5 mm too short, the throat tones are 20 cents sharp (ref. A=440) with supplied 65 mm barrel ... I have to use a 66-67 mm barrel and a Vandoren 13 series MP to get the throat down to pitch. Fortunately, the long tones are not flat once you get a longer barrel ... actually very fine tuning everywhere, once you fix the throat pitches. My occasional stand partner plays same model and has similar issues, but not to my extent, I don't think.
Tom
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-01-09 04:00
I had a Yamaha 250 for a while. It played in tune with 1mm pull-out. When I first got it (Used, via EBay) the throat notes were a bit off, but adjusting the venting fixed it. Personally, the only real problem I had with it is that it doesn't suit my very large hands.
Tony F.
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Author: wils69
Date: 2017-01-22 13:02
Hello I'm still on the hunt and leaning towards a music shop so some warranty is available. I've just read reviews about the Chinese made Nuova which were not bad. Does anyone have feedback on these apparently very similar to the jupiter?
Look forward to more advise. Thanks
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