 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Deanna
Date: 2001-07-14 14:13
My daughter will be starting with her school band next year (5th grade) and she has decided to play the clarinet. I would like to start her out with an inexpensive one but I do not know anything about the different "brands" of clarinets. I have seen Bestler, Windsor and Monique models for less than $150 but I am unsure of their quality. I know you get what you pay for.....but does anyone have any experience with these models?
Thank you for your help!!!
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Author: ReedWoman
Date: 2001-07-14 14:27
Don't know anything about those specific models, but I would be looking for something with some resale value...either she's going to want to continue and may need a better instrument, or she's not; in eithr case, I'd like to be able to get something back from my investment. So I'd look at the Buffet B-12 or the LeBlanc Vito, whether new or used. They're well-made, sound pretty good for beginner horns, and you can resell them later for close to what you paid (especially if you can find a good used one, usually around $200).
I made the mistake of starting my son on a used Buescher, which had so many mechanical problems, we were never sure if the problem was with him or with the instrument... The last straw was when the clarinet developed a problem at District
Band auditions and he couldn't make it sound, and no one on hand knew what to do. Believe me, it wasn't worth the extra $50 to have him go through that frustration.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-07-14 14:36
These clarinets are all out of the nascent mainland Chinese factories and are known for uneven production quality.
Better to spend your money, locally, on a repadded Vito or Bundy (which are very durable, decent players).
You should be able to purchase one outright (second hand) for around $200.
A good mouthpiece is perhaps more important than the horn, at the beginning.
I am also a proponent of the Legere synthetic reed (not the other versions) for beginners. The Legere is will outlast natural cane 10:1 (it does wear out) and is consistent.
When I started (less than 2 years ago), the reed was the biggest hassle.
If you are looking at wooden horns, check the classified section here at Sneezy.
A good Bundy or Vito should last a kid right through high school (so long as it doesn't get run over or left at camp).
anji
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-07-14 14:40
A reasonable beginner's clarinet is going to cost $350 or so (not list, but "street price") new. There's no getting around it. Any clarinet costing much less than that general figure is going to be most probably junk.
The only brands I'd recommend buying for a beginning clarinet: Bundy, Selmer USA, Vito, Buffet, and Yamaha. I've never seen anything else at the low end that could rightly be called a "student clarinet" (yes, I'm leaving Artley out for a reason!).
You can get a clarinet for a lower price used, but I <b>don't</b> recoomend that someone with no clarinet knowledge buy one from eBay. The "deals" may not be so good after you've had it inspected, repadded, adjusted, etc. If you're asking the question here, then you don't have the requisite knowledge to perform a good test and inspection on an eBay clarinet, and a bad clarinet will most definately have a negative impact on your child's music experience.
Sorry that it'll be more expensive than you'd hoped.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-07-14 14:56
Mark - I think I would add the LeBlanc Vito/Normandy plastics to your suggestions, I have seen a number of Vitos that seemed quite good. [The "big Four"] . Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-07-14 17:17
Hi, Deanna -
I'd like to add my 'for what it's worth' just to lend a little weight to the above posts. Stick with the brands Mark suggests, ignore anything else and buy from a reputable dealer in your area. You should be able, around this time of year, to find pretty good reconditioned horns from between $200 to $350 (here in Sacramento, CA). Ask about warranty; there should be some trial period for a reconditioned instrument... refund, exchange, re-adjust etc. - and some follow up service. If not, I hope there's more than one dealer in your town.
Your daughter, and You, will be much happier and will enjoy her participation in a music program if you start off with a decent instrument. It's no fun at all with a piece of junk. The brands you mentioned, while attractive in price, will be nothing but frustration. Many shops will not service them.
- ron b -
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-07-14 17:22
If you're looking for price and quality (no this is not an ad), I'd check out the woodwind and brasswind site. Sure, you'll probably spend about $350 as Mark said, but you can spread out your payments with them, and they'll buy your instrument back from you at a lower price (hey, something is better than nothing) if your child doesn't want to stick with it.
I'd recommend clarinets in this order: Buffet B-12, Yamaha YCL-20, Leblanc/Vito, Selmer/Bundy. One nice feature about the new Buffets is they all have an adjustable thumb rest that may reduce tension in the right hand and thumb.
I'd also recommend a good mouthpiece - particularly Vandoren for a student. WWandBW also have these at a discounted price.
I hope this helps!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-14 18:10
If you ask one of our Sneezies who uses mw as his name, he has some good used clarinets for sale. You could ask him about some of the Buffet B12s and others that you might could work something out on. At least you would be buying from someone who knows something about clarinets. And, he would probably give you a good price.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-07-14 18:15
Deanna,
Check out the "Sneezy" "classifieds." Some of the folks list refurbished and reconditioned instruments which are quality instruments likely to retain their resale value if your daughter does not continue with her studies. Brenda, Dave, John Butler and others have some for sale. Consider, for example, most "off the shelf" instruments as needing adjustment and a good mouthpiece before they will even respond well. Talk to the Sneezy folk, get a good reconditioned quality machine (I know $350 is a lot but it goes father with a good horn), buy a good quality (ask their recommendations) student mouthpiece [normally not ever the original one that manufacturers provide] and your all set. {Except for the usual peer pressure, "But, Mom! All my friends play NEW R13's....."}
Bob A
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-07-14 18:15
Please don't buy the models you inquired about. You are almost certain to regret it if you do. You have been given good advice above.
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-07-14 22:38
If its made in China or India, I say avoid it. The only thing they're good for is to glue some seeds to it and make a "chia clarinet". If you shop around early (before school starts) you can find some good deals out there. Don't underestimate those plastic student models either. With the right mouthpiece, ligature, reed setup, they can play really well even though some may look kinda funky. Don't let some salesman sell you a wooden one just 'cuz "its better than plastic". If your daughter goes on to marching band, a plastic model will be more desirable out in the elements. For concert season its nice to have a nicer horn but not manditory if the plastic is set up right.
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-07-15 00:50
I can really recommend the Yamaha YCL-20. It has good intonation and plays easily. I was surprised enough by the quality to purchase one for carrying on business trips and playing outdoors. I got mine at Mars Music for around $250.00 brand new. If you don't have a Mars in your neck of the woods, you can look them up online at <www.marsmuic.com>
Good Luck!
Kevin
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-15 02:16
Recently Buffet B-12's were available for $300 from an authorized dealer. Free shipping & a care kit was included @ that price. (there was a $25.00 instant rebate & free shipping on anything over $299.99 & the price was $325.99 --- the horn arrived in 5 business days via UPS & played very nicely out of the box!) I would not recommend a novice buy it this way. However, someone looking for a marching clarinet could do worse than to follow this path.
Best,
mw
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Author: Deanna
Date: 2001-07-15 03:18
Thank you everyone for taking time to respond. All this advise is extremely helpful. (we also got a laugh from the "chia clarinet")
Thanks again!
Deanna
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