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Student mid range

Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-06-27 17:30

I think it is fair to say that most of us know that Yamah and Buffet make decent student clarinets. We also know that the cheap Cinese CSO's are rubbish.
But what of the middle ground? I am talking about models that sell for £150-£250 new.
In this catagort I would place Jupiter, Sonata, Selmer Bundy,Selmer Vito, Corton sapphire, G4Music own brand upper (Rosedale) Odesey, le blanc and others.
Which ones are passable and which ones to avoid?

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Re: Student mid range

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-06-27 18:13

(1) Assuming the conversion I got online, your £150-£250 range equates to roughly $200-300 U.S.D.. The prices for new entry level clarinets here in the U.S. are considerably higher, and AFAIK there are no new Bundies or Vitos (which was a Leblanc brand, not Selmer) being made. These were entry-level instruments, not mid-range clarinets. I've never seen a Jupiter clarinet other than their entry-level ones, so I don't know what they make in intermediate clarinets, but they aren't in the sub-$500 range, either. I don't know anything about Corton (sapphire or otherwise) or G4Music's brand (do you know who makes them?).

There are very good intermediate-level student clarinets on the market, ranging in price generally in the U.S. from $1,000 to just under $2,000 (again, just to check the conversion I'm getting, £900-£1700?). Given that price range for new intermediate instruments, I've always steered my students away from that group entirely and toward used top-line clarinets. R13s and Selmer 10Gs are the ones I have the most access to, but any of the major "pro" level instruments are a quantum leap in quality above the entry-level instruments and generally sell in a price range similar to that of new intermediates.

Karl

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Re: Student mid range

Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-06-27 19:13

Gear4Music/Rosedale and Odyssey instruments are nowhere near mid range - they're CSOs (clarinet-shaped objects). What makes Odyssey clarinets (and other instruments)infinitely worse is they're ridiculously overpriced for what they are which is the same as your basic G4M instruments, so someone's obviously making money out of peoples misery there if they're falling for them.

So stick with the popular established makes instead of off brand makes as the established makes mostly have recognition, heritage, done their research and they're instruments are tried, tested and respected.

I'll list some of the most popular clarinets according to level:

Entry level plastic clarinets:

Armstrong/Artley
Bundy/Buescher/Selmer USA
B&H Regent/B&H 1-10
Buffet B12/B&H Regent II/Evette
Vito/Holton
Yamaha 20/200 series

Entry level wooden clarinets:

Armstrong/Artley
Bundy/Buescher/Selmer USA/Signet
B&H Edgware/B&H 2-20
Buffet E11/Evette
Vito/Normandy/Noblet
Yamaha 30/400 series
Malerne
Amati/Corton/Lignatone/B&H 400

Intermediate level wooden clarinets:

Selmer (Paris) Prologue
B&H Emperor
Buffet E13/C12
Noblet Artist/Leblanc Sonata
Yamaha 50/64/600 series
Marigaux
...

Pro level clarinets:

Selmer (Paris) BT/CT/Series 9/Series 9*/Series 10/Series 10S/Series 10G
Buffet R13/RC/BC20/S1
Leblanc LL/LX/L27/L7/LX2000/Concerto
Yamaha YCL-62/65/CX
B&H Imperial 926
Howarth S1/S2/S3
Marigaux RS Symphonie
...

Prestige level clarinets:

Selmer Paris Recital
Buffet Prestige R13/RC/Festival
Leblanc Opus/Symphony VII
Yamaha 80/CS/SE/AE/CSG
B&H 1010
...

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Re: Student mid range

Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-06-28 16:36

Thanks,

Seems like yoou are paying through the nose in The US. A new Buffet Prodige (B12 replacemnt can be bough new for unde £230. i just picked up a mint condition used B12 for £93 and a Mint condition Yamaha 26ii for £101!

John

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Re: Student mid range

Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-06-28 16:47

Hi Chris,

I don't know what to say! thanks for putting that effort in,it's appreciated.

I like the Evette and they can be picked up cheaply.I just bought one for £51. Why do they sell for less than an equivalent B12?

B&H Student Regents command a decent price. I just bought one for £25 and sold it for £50.
A Yamaha 23N I sold only got £47. It is crazy that people will pay more for a Regent than a similar aged Yamaha.

To be honest the Regent did have some good features i.e. the material was bright and shiny, the logos distinctive and the keywork a dream to repair, unfortunatly they are clunky to play and make a poor sound.
It is a shame that a British instrument could not reach the standard of a B12 or basic Yamaha?

Do you know why? is it the toneholes, moutpieces,materials used or the bore? Seems they still hold some kudos in the buyers market. I think it is a shame that so many student models are hard to play and how many students give up as a result
It should be easier to play a student model logic would suggest

Thanks again
John

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Re: Student mid range

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-06-28 21:15

So, I think I misread your original question. You seem interested not in "intermediate" student clarinets but in entry level clarinets other than Yahama, Buffet and "Chinese CSOs." Can you clarify?

Karl

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Re: Student mid range

Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-06-29 22:13

Correct,

Thos which are less expensive than those ones

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