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 Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: Claude 
Date:   2022-06-03 19:09

I love the sound of the Alto Clarinet and would like to buy one. I played Oboe and then Alto Flute. I've done a search on this BB about these brands and read various and contradicting opinions.

I've found 3 Alto Clarinets close to me that I can try out and within my price range. They're all fairly old but are in very good shape. I'd value your advice about these Alto's.

Gigliotti Alto Clarinet
Noblet Alto Clarinet (it is a two piece and he says Paris)
Kohlert Alto Clarinet (probably wood)

Thank you very much.

Claude

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: jdbassplayer 
Date:   2022-06-03 19:27

The first one I’ve never heard of. They only make mouthpieces and rebranded Chinese clarinets so I’m skeptical of what it actually is.

Noblets are great all around instruments, not as good as some high end instruments but good in their own right. They are popular among those playing alto.

The Kohlert could potentially be better. But a big question is does it have open holes? If so I would probably avoid it.

-JDbassplayer

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: jdbassplayer 
Date:   2022-06-03 19:36

Also don't forget the mouthpiece, that's the most important thing. I would even order it ahead of time so you can try the same mouthpiece on all instruments. The Hite is one of the best stock alto clarinet mouthpieces and even comes with a ligature. Also grab a box of Vandoren 3 alto clarinet reeds. Fobes debut is also decent and cheaper (no ligature though) but I personally prefer the Hite.

-JDbassplayer

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: Claude 
Date:   2022-06-03 19:58

Hi jdbassplayer, Thank you very much.
The Kohlert DOES have open holes so will eleminate that one.
Pics of the Gigliotti, must be quite old and has some green verdigris on some of the keys, so probably not.
The Noblet looks quite good.
Will get a Hite mp, Vandoren reeds, will check on the ligature, if not I'll get one and go try it out.

Images: https://paxnow.com/alto-clarinets/

Claude

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: jdbassplayer 
Date:   2022-06-03 20:05

So that Noblet is actually a bass clarinet (notice the large S shaped neck).

The Gigliotti is a rebranded Chinese copy of a Bundy, which is not a very highly regarded model to begin with. Unfortunately I would probably say none of those are a good option. I would wait for a Noblet, check eBay and Reverb.

-JDbassplayer

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: Claude 
Date:   2022-06-03 22:18

You saved my backside, most grateful. Thank you!
Will look for a Noblet as you suggested.

Claude

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: Ebclarinet1 
Date:   2022-06-03 23:02

The Noblets I've played in the past have been pretty reasonable. It seems LeBlanc and Selmer altos come up fairly often on eBay and for very good prices. Either will give you lots of fun musical experiences.

If you decide to splurge a but more the Buffet altos are really good. Big sound and really good intonation.

Eefer guy

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 Re: Choosing an Alto Clarinet
Author: super20dan 
Date:   2022-06-04 04:12

i also recommend the noblet alto. usually aval at a bargin price. i paid 220 for one and 350 for a mint one needing no work.the older 220$ one turned out to be the best player so dont judge a book by its cover always. mpc selection is very important . hite or vandoren safe bets. i like the selmer c* best. the noblet was sold to school systems and is now found for sale most often now. both mine ex school horns.

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