 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Semada
Date: 2024-02-23 05:42
Hi, I'm a freshman saxophone player who's interested in trying clarinet. think it would be fun to learn a new instrument. I'm not sure ifl want to switch to clarinet permanently, but want a clarinet that can hold me up till graduate in case do. My max budget is 350 dollars (willing to buy used obviously). I've tried to do my fair share of research, leading me to hearing good things about the Selmer signet soloist, but I'm not sure if it's the best option for me. Could you recommend me any good clarinets that are within my budget or give me your opinion on the Selmer signet soloist?
PS: I apologize if I made any errors. This is my first post, and I'm still learning.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-02-23 06:40
Hi,
I tried a couple of Signets- a "regular" Signet and a Soloist. Both sounded like a student entry-level instruments. Did not tune well either.
However, with $350 it would be difficult to buy anything better than a student/entry level clarinet.
I would try to contact music stores and repair shops around you and see what they have to offer. At least, you can get a warranty of some sort, and maybe a trial period.
Buying off eBay is a lottery that is difficult to win...Craigslist is even worse because if you made a mistake buying something it's impossible to reverse the transaction.
If you find an instrument, you can always post back here, with pictures and get at least some feedback.
Good luck!
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Author: lydian
Date: 2024-02-23 17:04
My $50 Vito has served me well. I regularly play it in several bands. No complaints so far.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2024-02-23 17:59
I second lydian's post...
While I can't speak directly towards the Selmer Signet clarinet....I started on a Vito and played it until my junior year in high school. Used it as a backup instrument for decades after that. Used it to march in college too. Great little instrument for the money.
I've run across some great vintage Bundy clarinets over the years too.
Disclaimer: I'm not a firm believer that material (wood, rubber, plastic, metal) of the clarinet makes a meaningful difference in sound.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-02-23 20:34
The only problem is that a $50 Vito may need $300-400 work done to it. Or it may not.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-02-23 20:37
i recommend the selmer signet and normandy or noblet if you want wood or second the vito or normandy in plastic. both very good. better than a bundy
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-02-23 20:38
also you will need a decent mpc-anything from vandoren should do . most like the b45 or 5rv as starters
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-02-23 21:32
I use a Signet Soloist and while it isn't the best, it gets me about 80% of where I need to go. Of course I would love to upgrade but I think it sounds okay!
The thing cost me $90 used in poor condition, but after fixing it up it works fine.
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Author: lydian
Date: 2024-02-23 21:56
Yeah, definitely should go for a horn in working order. Wouldn't want to put $300 in repairs in a horn worth $150 max. If you can get an experienced player friend to play test for you, that would be ideal. Although a sax player will be able to make a sound on it, a novice won't be able to test every note. My Vito came from a middle schooler and had very few miles on it, but this was back in the 70s when I bought it.
Messed around with it occasionally over the years but didn't seriously learn to play until last year when I joined a band that required that I play clarinet. As a sax player, I was able to progress very quickly, about 3 years worth of learning material in 3 months.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-02-25 00:51
Whatever you do, DON'T go for a mouthpiece tip opening and reed strength to match what you use on sax as they are both polar opposite instruments even if they do both use a single reed mouthpiece.
There is a trend especially for older sax players who come to clarinet late in their playing life to want a setup that's just as easy and free blowing as the setup they use on sax and using the same slack embouchure, so they end up sounding flabby as well as being as flat as a pancake, then they blame the clarinet and have their barrel shortened by up to 10mm in some extreme cases in a bid to bring their clarinet up to pitch, when it does nothing but ruin the scale of the instrument.
Stick with the stock length barrel and use a mouthpiece that most clarinettists will use, so something with a tip opening of between 1.10mm to 1.15mm maximum and use the reed strength that suits you best and not what everyone else is using.
And most importantly, have clarinet lessons from a clarinet teacher who is a seasoned clarinettist whose primary (or sole) instrument is clarinet as opposed to from a sax player/teacher who does the rounds and plays some clarinet and flute just to get by when it comes to doubling work and teaches the bad habits they've learnt.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LostConn
Date: 2024-02-25 02:05
With a budget of only $350, I would not go looking for a used instrument as a first clarinet. Too much uncertainty -- you might end up with something that requires expensive tech work, and you might not even realize it, since you're new to the horn.
If I were you, I would buy a new Solist student clarinet from Kessler Music in Las Vegas. It's made of hard rubber and costs only $319. Kessler house instruments are generally good (I own their extremely popular Solist baritone saxophone), but the important thing as far as you're concerned is that horn will be well set up and ready to play. It will be just an inexpensive clarinet, but a fully functional inexpensive clarinet, which is what you need. Plus, you can cheaply upgrade the stock mouthpiece to something good: $20 to get a Yamaha 4C or Fobes Debut, or $75 to get an excellent D'Addario Reserve. Don't forget about the mouthpiece when doing your budgeting. A crappy mouthpiece will severely hinder you.
This might not be the most bang for the buck at your price level, but I'm sure you won't find a *simpler* overall solution anywhere.
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Author: petrosv
Date: 2024-02-26 19:11
oh let me comment the Kellser "solist" is a take off on the Selmer "Soloist" brand I can't vouch for a "Solist" but Kessler is a reputable delaer but I CAN say if you can find a newer version of the Selmer Soloist used (not the Selmer Signet Soloist which is wood and used is $500+) but get the composite Selmer Soloist which has Soloist on the bell these are excellent horns if you can get one if perfect playing condition sometimes for cheap but these are typically worn out from young players using them so have to be careful but I have one I got for $75 and it's a really outstanding horn. It has an "American" sound IMO and my Ledoux has a much more refined "French" sound ... good luck
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-02-26 19:52
Hi petrosv,
I always struggle with sound/tone definitions.
Could you possibly describe the "American sound" vs. "French" ?
Thank you
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Author: petrosv
Date: 2024-02-26 21:49
This is an opinion of one, me, but the Ledoux I have which is an R13 style horn from the early 1960's and using the same mouthpiece on my Selmer Soloist the difference is the Selmer has more "sound" it's not as refined it is more "forward" and the French made Ledoux is more naturally "smoother" "rounder" so when I push the Ledoux it will break up before I can get a really bright "nasty" sound but the Selmer it almost will never break up it keeps getting "louder" and more "bright" "Aggressive" that's my take.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-02-29 18:59
i played a signet soloist for the first 20 years and it was just fine. no one could tell it wasnt a pro clarinet
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