Author: Adrian_B-flat
Date: 2018-04-06 19:07
I actually bought mine close to the same time you (GenEric) bought yours. I got it rather than renting again for my son. Because I heard that there could be more blowing resistance with the Ridenour (and because I got my YCL34 for cheaper than my Noblissima) and my son is a young, relatively new player, he now uses the YCL34 while I use the Noblissima.
I have to think that you got a "dud" or there was some bad handling during shipping because I've been quite happy with my Noblissima. The only problem I've had with it was in the first few months of ownership when the LH rings and C#/G# key came off during a rehearsal due to a screw having backed out. After I secured it down, I haven't had problems with the clarinet since.
The shape and "heavier feel" of the RH sliver key took a little getting used to but I did. Another difference of "feel" between the YCL34 and Noblissima is that the RH pinky keys are in a "lower" position on the YCL34 than the Noblissima. Also, on the YCL34 hand positioning for the tone holes is in a slightly different position if you line up the bridge key...the holes on the YCL34 end up a degree or few clockwise from lining up with the LH tone holes looking down the clarinet from the mouthpiece. I've played and can adjust to either feel but I like the RH hand position on the Ridenour more.
A band-mate of mine (I'm in a community band) needed an upgrade from his plastic clarinet. He had it since high school and he often has to store his clarinet in his car during the workday on rehearsal nights and, in our part of the country, it could likely lead to a cracked wood clarinet. I showed him my Ridenour (I only had it for a couple of weeks at that point) and I let him try it out. He liked the feel and sound and, like me, isn't willing to spend thousands on a higher-end clarinet (neither of us are serious enough clarinetists to justify the expense) and didn't want to risk the clarinet cracking so he bought a Noblissima for himself. After I started reading some of the complaints on the board, I started becoming paranoid about my purchase or, even worse, that I might've led my friend astray into buying a bad clarinet but he's been happy with the purchase since then.
As for me, fast forward a year and I'm still quite happy with my Ridenour. Actually, recently, I had to put the YCL34 in for repair and, since I didn't have a "backup" clarinet, I had to lend the Ridenour to my son. (Side note: for the brief few days he used it, he actually sounded little better in tune with it but I want to hold judgment on it until I get to really listen to him playing the YCL34 post-repair). At that point, I realized I could use a "backup" clarinet.
To cut this long story short, I considered getting a Buffet (R13 or pre-R13) to become my "primary" because, frankly, it would be "cool" to say I had one, but, after looking at what was available in the price range I was willing to spend and, after a different band-mate suffered a crack in HIS Buffet (starting an inch (?) below and into the register tone-hole) just before a concert (he played mostly OK but was squeaky), I decided against spending the money on a used high-end wood clarinet (Buffet or similar)- I'd be so disappointed if I spent that kind of money only to have the clarinet crack. Instead, I bought a "demo" Libertas from the Ridenours (using "Best Offer") and am now waiting on delivery. If I like it at least as much as my Noblissima (and it's supposed to be "better"), I'll be quite happy.
JMHO and YMMV
PS- Bear in mind that my story is based on the practicalities of my needs, budget, and situation. If I made a living playing clarinet, was paid to play, or, at least, if I were talented/skilled/serious enough to be playing as a "featured" player in a volunteer band, it might be worth it to me to spend "big money" on a high-end wood clarinet...then again, if I were that serious, I'd probably also have taken (and continue to be taking) lessons.
Post Edited (2018-04-06 19:33)
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
