 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2018-06-22 20:41
How do these two compare? The Alpha can be had for 425 pounds at Dawkes UK, which is an absolute steal compared to the Ridenour, plus I wouldn't have to pay any import duties to Germany.
I'm very intrigued by the plastic/ebonite clarinet's excellent consistency and responsiveness and even consider ditching my RC because I feel like a plastic clarinet would be fine for my amateur orchestra playing.
AFAIK the Alpha has a polycylindrical bore and a more refined finish than a simple student model, is that right?
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JatIlfgX0Fs this guy uses the alpha in his orchestra on a regular basis??)
Best regards
Christian
Post Edited (2018-06-22 20:56)
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Author: gwie
Date: 2018-06-22 22:32
The Alpha is the best student-model clarinet I've ever played, and the keywork is excellent, similar to Backun's higher-level offerings. A number of us have taken our mouthpiece + barrel combos from our nice instruments and put them on the Alpha and it's impressive how well it works. When my beginning students have the budget available, the Alpha is the model that I recommend to them.
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Author: gavalanche20
Date: 2018-06-22 22:52
I doubt Corrado would use the Alpha as much anymore now that Backun have announced his signature model (CG Carbon Fiber). Nevertheless the Alpha is a fantastic horn, Im a fellow amateur who has owned a couple wooden horns but keep coming back to the Alpha because of its more consistent tuning and nice tone for a synthetic, plus the keywork feel was simply bettter for me. (That being said, those wooden horns I refer to weren’t exactly top quality horns, just an old Normandy and what I believe to be Jupiter’s top level horn from a decade or two ago). The Ridenour I know gets a lot of praise around here as well.
Post Edited (2018-06-22 22:53)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2018-06-23 01:33
I own both--an Alpha and a Lyrique 576BC.
They are sufficiently different that one is not a complete replacement for the other.
The Alpha I have has excellent keywork, projects a bit better than the Lyrique, and has excellent tuning up to clarion high C. Tuning can tend to run flat in the altissimo without the use of alternative fingerings.
The Lyrique is voiced a bit more darkly than the Alpha, has softer keywork which I have had issues keeping in regulation, but is the most in-tune clarinet I have ever played. It is also more resistant than the Alpha, but the resistance and response are even through the entire range of the instrument.
Ideally, you'll want to audition both, and draw your own conclusions.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2018-06-23 04:45
Thanks Ursa, that's what I wanted to hear!
So you're saying they're on an equal level, with pros and cons for each? It goes without saying that I'm not seriously considering the Lyrique at almost double the price of an alpha unless there are some decisive advantages!
Is the alt. c sharp already too flat? Or do you need the Eb/G# key to correct the d-f like on so many boehms?
Do the notes closer to the MPC lack resonance like on cheaper Chinese Instruments, or does it come close to a wooden instrument?
I
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2018-06-23 11:20
I am not exactly saying that the Alpha and 576BC are on an equal level. For some jobs, I bring out the Alpha; for others, the Lyrique gets the nod.
On my (early) Alpha, it's mostly altissimo E that comes off as intolerably flat. Adding the Eb/G# on prolonged altissimo E is a must.
I usually deploy my Alpha with a Scott 64mm barrel. With the stock 65mm barrel, it is hard to play up to A=440 when it's below 70 degrees F. I've tried a shoebox full of mouthpieces along with numerous reeds trying to get it reliably up to pitch on the stock barrel, to no avail.
If you play with ensembles that drift towards sharpness, the Lyrique can easily keep up to pitch using its included short barrel while still staying in tune with itself. It's really quite remarkable in this regard.
Both the Alpha and Lyrique sound better than many wooden clarinets. Careful mouthpiece and reed selection--along with good technique--can yield some amazing results with either instrument.
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Author: richard smith
Date: 2018-06-23 18:19
Having owned about 30 Ridenours, which includes all he tuned and adjusted, I found little difference in intonation and blowing resistance among tem, but I was careful to check each one before purchase.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2018-06-23 20:09
Thanks for the replies.
Sorry Ursa, I thought your posts suggested that both clarinets play in the same league.
Now it's a little unfortunate if the alpha is as flat as you say, because I'll need a=442Hz at least.
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Author: YT
Date: 2018-06-23 20:12
Hi,
I have an Alpha, I really like that instrument and have no problems with playing on 442. I like the instrument especially because of its splendid intonation. I play a Vandoren B40 on the Alpha, maybe that's of interest.
Yannick
EDIT: I use the normal barrel that came with the instrument.
Post Edited (2018-06-23 20:13)
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2018-06-23 21:29
Great, thanks a lot for the info! I'm currently using the same MPC, it does play on the sharper side.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2018-06-25 04:16
I own a Backun Alpha and a Ridenour Lyrique Speranza (similar to the RCP576) and the Lyrique Libertas.
Compared to the Libertas, the Alpha has more blowing resistance, and more center and brightness. Tuning is very good. The key-work is excellent and the pads seal air-tight. It does tune low in the upper register. I don't like the way the RH little finger keys are adjusted ... they need to be be adjusted to a more industry standard of leveling and spacing. I checked other Alpha clarinets and they all were set up the same way.
The Libertas has less blowing resistance and is more uniform from note to note and register to register. The resistance over the break is very smooth. The tone is warmer and more open, but also has more power and projection. The key-work (this is an early production clarinet) is very good, maybe not as well done as the Alpha but still good. I've not had ANY problems with the keys bending, the material is very hard. The Libertas tuning is as good as the Alpha, perhaps a bit better in the highest register.
Both have a beautiful sound, different, but equally pretty ... they don't have the center and ping and glow of my R13s, but have more warmth, which is good for many venues.
Tom
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2018-06-25 15:07
“Having owned about 30 Ridenours, which includes all he tuned and adjusted, I found little difference in intonation and blowing resistance among tem, but I was careful to check each one before purchase.”
This is, hands down, one of the funniest things I’ve ever read on this forum.
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2018-07-01 14:27
Kinda forgot to mention the Prodige! Anyone have experience with that clarinet, too? Some have lauded it, being very close to the E13.
In the next 1-2 months, I'm going to compare the Alpha and Prodige side-by-side. Howarth of London seems to carry a huge variety of instruments, hopefully I get to test some there during my vacation.
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