 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carl L
Date: 2001-06-30 18:34
Wichita Band Instrument Co.(wichitaband.com) has some unique used clarinets for sale. Can some of you give me feedback on your dealings with this company? Thanks, as always, for your help!
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Author: ~jerry
Date: 2001-06-30 20:03
Although I have not bought anything there (yet) I have had correspondence with Gary Ray and he seems to be a very knowledgeable (per clarinets) person. Furthermore he has been very accomodating in answering my questions. Their equipment seems to be a little on the +$ side but, if all is true, they seem to check each instrument thoroughly.
I have not purchased an instrument because I have not seen one that lights my light (or whatever you call it). I'm still searching............maybe a new Greenline???
Anyway, I have made a similar inquiry here on the BB and didn't get alot of feedback -- pro or con.
~ jerry
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-06-30 22:14
As I said earlier to Jerry [by EM], on a recent visit to Wichita and a trial of a LeBlanc bass cl they had overhauled [a good one!], I was much impressed by their competence, and desire to deal with one and all. Their web-site is well worth viewing for education, and pricing comparisons, the best are not cheap! I recommend them and The Horn Trader in OK City to potential local buyers as being reliable dealers. Don
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-01 16:26
I know of some local universities (Oklahoma City University, in particular) that had sent repair work & may have also purchased new instruments or accessories from Wichita Band. My understanding from talking with Gary Ray, the President & owner previously is that any item may be tried on "approval" with a full refund, if returned within trial period.
I agree with Don, they have a tendency to be pricey. Hiwvere, they fully guarantee everything they sell & are noted repair technicians, having given repair master classes throughout the US & Canada.
Best,
mw
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-01-22 16:25
Carl:
My experience with Wichita has been very positive. I have been working with them, WW&BW and International to try several instruments. The latter two require you to pay for one of the two or three instruments they send for trial. Wichita only requires payment of nominal postage. Wichita people have been much more accessible, by phone and by e-mail, than the other two. I still have not received return calls I made to the latter two two days later. I received a return call from Wichita within an hour.
I tried one of their used, refurbished instruments (a 1979 Evette and Schaeffer)and it played and sounded at least as nice as most of the several R-13s I've tried thus far. It was pricey for it's model, but $600 - $700 less than an R-13, but it was flawless (except for a design element of that model: a register key that was closer to the thumb hole than the great majority of other models, which for me, was a bit in the way.)
I am still working withe them to find the my "near perfect" instrument - and they continue to be a pleasure to work with.
Jerry
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