 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jakehardy95
Date: 2021-06-07 02:11
Good afternoon everyone,
I’m currently in the process starting this week of trialing some new clarinets and was wondering what all everyone looks for/what you do personally when trialing a set of clarinets. I’ve ordered two Buffet Traditions from RMS (very excited to try them) and then I’m also trialing a Buffet Festival and an R13. I’ve never had a few clarinets to choose from, I’ve always ever just had one, whether that was in the Marine Corps or when my mom bought me my R13 back when I was in high school. Thank you all in advance for the help!
Jake Hardy
Veteran Marine Musician
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2021-06-07 03:56
Hey Jake:
There is no shortage of info here and on the internet about the things people look for, but I suspect you know that.
So instead, I'll contribute just one tip, leaving others to theirs.
A clarinet whose 12ths are off is one to consider suspect. As you know, the register key isn't an octave key because actuating it produces a note 12 steps above.
This isn't to say that things can't be done by (extremely) experienced repair techs, who have trained in clarinet acoustics to, for example, address the raising of pitch if the lower (i.e. fundamental) note is off, it's just that I would think twice about buying such an instrument.
https://www.clarkwfobes.com/pages/tuning-and-voicing-the-clarinet
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-06-07 05:33
This info from Dave McClune on how to test a mouthpiece can be applied to testing other equipment as well. He has some good thoughts.
http://www.mcclunemouthpiece.com/how-to-pickout-a-mouthpiece/
Besides testing the usual response, pitch, evenness, tone, etc, it is important to have an idea of what you are looking for, what your current set up does not do as well as you would like. It is helpful to not spend too long where you can adjust too much or "ear fatigue" can set in. It is often possible to get yourself completely confused. If I have multiple instruments to try, I usually narrow it down testing A-B and picking my preference and then testing the "winner" there against C, etc. If possible try to do blind testing, maybe having someone else assist you. If you can do multiple trials over a few days you can see if there is one that seems to consistently hit the mark for you.
Have fun!
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Author: donald
Date: 2021-06-07 06:21
There are lots of factors to consider, but the first thing I always do is check the 12ths Bb-f, C to G, and D to high A. If the A is flatter than the D (or the D appears quite sharp) this is very difficult to fix, or deal with when playing, so is a sign to pass on thst clarinet.
(this what is reffered to as "narrow 12ths", but here I'm referring to one not bei g worse that the ones around it)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2021-06-07 22:16
I think it would be worth considering the equivalent Yamahas alongside those, especially the Custom CX. I tried most of the instruments that you have listed in a 2+ hours long rally of testing a couple of years ago in our local shop. I found the Yamaha Custom CX to be head and shoulders above all the others, including even the Yamahas that were £600 more expensive.
I think it's a good idea to get someone to listen to you playing as they may hear things that you do not here.
The ergonomics was totally different between the different instruments when I tried them too, and that is hugely important.
Just a thought anyway. :-)
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