 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve
Date: 2001-06-20 06:27
I have been playing my Plastic Bundy Clarinet for a long time on and off. I have finally gotten back to playing and have decided to upgrade to a wood clarinet . I would like to purchase a used OLDER Clarinet. Money is tight so I have to keep it under $200. Can anybody make any recomendations for vintage clarinets?? Also what would be a good relatively affordable mouthpiece to use with an older wood clarinet? Thanks
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-06-20 06:36
There are some people who say grenadilla wood die as time elapses and
it is necessary to re-juvenalize it by special treatment like oiling.
Good repairman's advice might be necessary. IMHO.
(French clarinetists who have contracts with manufacturers change their
instruments every year, I once read in a Japanese clarinet magazine.)
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-06-20 12:57
Keep saving. Unless you are really lucky, it is highly unlikely that you will find a GOOD used wooden instrument for $200 or less. Anything at that price is apt to need a signficant overhaul.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-06-20 13:26
There is a classified section here, that has some horns for sale.
Try Dave Speigelthal, he has some nice horns that are good players although not the biggest names.
Drop me a line off post, if you like.
anji
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-06-20 14:48
Well if you shop really well you can find a good one off of ebay for less than 200, I got an excellent Buffet Evette clarinet off of there for 112 and paid twenty bucks for a couple of new pads and its great, the only problem is, is that I bought it to march with because I thought used wood would be cheaper than a new plastic and I figured that I could use it later as a backup concert instrument.
Sara
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-06-20 16:50
I'm still a big advocate of local pawn shops. Call all the ones in the area and ask if they have any wooden clarinets. I found a Buffet R-13 for $399. I know it's twice as much as you've got to spend, but it's also twice the instrument! You will need to put in some extra funds for overhauls and take time to polish the keys, but you can find a good instrument. I bet you can find a Selmer Signet or Leblanc LL for about $200. Keep looking!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-06-20 17:40
Yes there are some good bargains on eBay but you won't know if you have a bargain or a dog until you receive it. If you can't afford to lose the money, then online auctions are a risky choice as you can't tell before you get it how much of an overhaul it may need. It could be a couple of pads or it could require a complete overhaul.
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Author: Jeff Forman
Date: 2001-06-20 19:15
If there is a Music Go Round in your area (I think it must be a franchise) they buy, sell and trade instruments. I picked up a wonderful Langenus wooden clarinet there and the store had about $250 as the price (I traded them a Selmer Signet 100 for it).
Jeff
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Author: Carl L
Date: 2001-06-20 21:15
I agree with David. Pawn shops are great places to find a real bargain. As I've droned on in past threads, I frequent pawn shops, garage sales and flea markets on a regular basis. If some guy's been holding a horn for a few months he will be ready to bargain. He generally has NO knowledge of the instrument's worth and will be eager to get rid of it. "Bargain" is the applicable word here. Over the years I've picked up great tubas, fiddles, clarinets, trombones, etc. for a lot less than the instrument's worth. Remember, that Selmer you're looking at in Joe's Pawn Shop is a keeper to you. To Joe, it's just another piece of inventory he's eager to blow out.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-06-20 22:13
I found my Selmer Series 9 in a local junk shop. The proprietor had just bought a large cardboard box (the kind used for packing drapery and fabric for moving) at an estate sale. The clarinet was at the bottom of the box, beneath Tupperware and children's things. He sold the Selmer to me for $50. After $275 for the overhaul, I own a lovely and very special instrument. --Bill.
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-06-21 00:28
I wouldn't discount ebay totally. I picked up a lovely '56 E&S Master Model wood clarinet for around $200.00. I would pass this on though, if you do buy an instrument off of ebay, ask as many questions about the condition of the clarinet before hand, ie cracks, repaired vs. not repaired, how the cracks were repaired, condition of keys and pads, age of clarinet, SS#, any previous history of instrument etc. Most sellers don't mind answering questions that they can. But DO MAKE SURE that you can have an "inspection period" for the instrument, and that it can be returned if you're not happy with the instrument. And that you are able to take the instrument to a tech/repairman that you trust to give the instrument a good going over. Don't expect a perfectly conditioned instrument from ebay. And do expect to put some money into the instrument after you recieve it. I was lucky, I didn't need new pads or cork and only a few keys needed to be tightened. I don't know the opinions of others here, but a wood clarinet from the mid 1950's - early 1960's make a nice instrument and they are available. I too second David and others about checking out pawn shops, junk shops, yard sales etc. They're out there; it's like a treasure hunt, but when you find the instrument you like it's certainly worth it.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-06-21 16:37
Beth -
Please correct me if I misinterpreted, I think you meant SS# as S#
I understand SS# to be Social Security number. I would never touch a horn with an owner inscribed number on it, unless the seller has matching identification and written verification, documentation, that he or she sold you the horn, no matter what, no exceptions... even someone you might consider a reliable friend.
Been there :| Way long before eBay was even thought of, though the principle's the same today... don't jump into anything without knowing about it up front.
I was fortunate; the guy's mom, in co-operation with the local sheriff, trying to go as easy as possible on the lad, paid everyone back their money. It could, however, become a time consuming ordeal to straighten out and you might not meet a conscientious mom who will help get your money back.
Serial numbers mean almost nothing. Anything else, especially something etched into it (or filed off), should be an immediate alert !
Please, don't take this as a 'scare tactic' to keep you from dealing with eBayers. There are some unquestionably good deals to be found. I buy horns there too. There are very knowledgeable and honest sellers, some who frequent this BB, who are reliable and forthright. Just be sure to ask questions before you buy.
- ron b -
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-06-21 17:02
Yes, I ment serial number, my fingers didn't engage my brain! Thanks for the correction - much needed. I only mentioned serial numbers as a way to help ID the AGE of the instrument and that all the parts of the instrument belong together (all part of the original instrument). It's just a quick way to kind of put a flag up as to a part replacment or maybe the instrument has had a problem in the past if all the serial numbers aren't the same.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-06-22 13:15
$200 plus freight I can supply you with a wooden albert system clarinet with replacement barrell (click) in a case in a totally non-commercial way so as not to offend. Good luck!
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-06-22 14:25
For those of us fortunate enough to be handy with repairing instruments, eBay can be a boon. I have been able to fill out my personal collection of instruments (for playing regularly, not for hanging on the wall!) to include all sizes of clarinets from the little eefer to the EEb contra-alto, and saxes from soprano down to bari, all for less total cash than just one of Brenda Siewert's fancy Buffet or Leblanc soprano clarinets. I may be a Philistine, but I've gotta feed my family, so my personal horns have to be restored eBay "no-name" specials because that's all I can afford. They may not have any prestige or resale value, but when all is said and done I have a bunch of good, professional-quality instruments on a beer budget. Caveat Emptor for sure, but there is a silver lining to the eBay cloud if you know what you're doing.
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