 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sopranino
Date: 2024-03-04 09:21
Hello! I am a jazz saxophone player who is looking to get a clarinet. I actually own a clarinet, however it is a plastic instrument I got for 25$ a few months ago. With this current instrument, I had to replace most of the exposed cork with floss to get the instrument to seal and pinky keys to close the correct amount (also had to use floss to replace the pad on Ab side). Not a great instrument, and though I'm not the best clarinetist, it seems to have tuning problems with throat Bb, and key action on the left pinky keys is worse than on the right. That's my current situation.
The clarinet I am looking at is a Martin Freres Lamont Model 2. I see on Ebay these go for 150$ (in poor condition) to 300$, the specific local sale I am looking at is for 100$. This instrument is not being sold by a clarinetist, so it's really up to me to figure out what quality it's in. I have attached photos!
I'm a student, so I do not have the money to spend on overhaul or instrument repair, which is why I have patched up my current clarinet so much. I love clarinet (jazz clarinet was my favorite instrument for a long time), and if I could use this instrument for a few years I'd consider it a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, I am fine sticking with what I have right now until something better comes up.
Finally, below is what the manufacturer has to say about this model and pricing:
"The clarinet has a rich, sweet, focused tone with good fluid action and excellent intonation. The key-work is considered “soft” and therefore requires frequent adjustments. This clarinet is best suited for the intermediate level musician.
The estimated Retail Value of the LaMonte Model 2 clarinet can be described as:
Used Parts Only to Poor Condition $75US – $99US
Used Fair to Good Playable Condition $100US – $149US
Used Very Good Playable Condition $150US – $349US
Used Excellent Playable Condition $350US – $499US"
With all of that context and the photos I've attached, do you think it's worth getting? I'll check it out in person, but I don't have the clarinet experience you all likely do.
All images can be seen here: https://imgur.com/a/LuEZhI6. It looks pretty good aside from some tarnish on the silver keys, the pads look ok and white (so might be newly repadded? not sure)
Post Edited (2024-03-04 09:38)
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Author: ghoulcaster
Date: 2024-03-04 10:43
The big hurdle with old clarinets is that they made zillions of them and in 95% of cases the work to get them playing is more $$ than the instrument itself is worth.
First of all, it is doubtful that clarinet is worth $100 dollars IMO.
Secondly, I think it is doubtful that it could be much of an upgrade from what you are playing now, just because it is wood.
That of course depends on what you are playing, which you did not mention, but if it is a nice plastic instrument like a Bundy or Vito, it is probably worth instead spending that prospective clarinet money getting it corked, or have a few dire pads replaced if needed for playability.
If you are playing some no name chinesium junk, I’d still recommend against any old clarinets that haven’t been worked on recently if economy is an issue unless you can play them and see for yourself that they are workable. m
If I were you I would look for a Vito V40, they are plastic but are thoughtfully designed, nice horns that are great for jazz. Some old Bundys can be good too, thought I don’t have experience with them.
Post Edited (2024-03-04 10:45)
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Author: Sopranino
Date: 2024-03-04 11:15
Yeah, I did not name my clarinet because it's a no name brand -- "Old Kraftsman". They don't seem to be around anymore and the instrument has "made in france" stamped on it, so it's likely not from a chinese factory, but it's still not a great horn. If wood isn't that big of an upgrade, I'll wait until I can afford something respectable (or maybe a real mouthpiece).
Post Edited (2024-03-04 11:16)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-03-05 01:23
While it would be nice to install new tenon corks, I suggest you take the clarinet to a technician and ask to adjust the lowest (E/B and F/C) keys so you can play low E and long B, and see what the tech says about the clarinet and it's condition in general.
There are a lot of videos on eBay on how to replace tenon corks but you can play the clarinet as is using Teflon tape or dental floss on the tenons.
It would be difficult, however to play any clarinet that has pads not sealing well, so I'd ask the tech to check it for the leaks and fix it if you have money to pay the tech, or try to fix it yourself.
You can get pads and glue (I use pellets) from Instrumentclinic.com and this would be the most economical way to fix your instrument - may not be the best way depending how well you do...
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-03-05 10:57
If the pads are ok, then getting a student level clarinet which otherwise needs some work and adjustment is no bad thing, as it offers an opportunity to do this yourself and develop some capabilities which are valuable for the future. It's all about patience and care in making small adjustments, but it's not rocket science. There are quite a few reputable techs on YouTube offering tutorials for the various adjustments and more straightforward repairs, so clearly they don't believe that these are beyond the abilities of ordinary people with some practical ability.
Mostly I think that people will tend to know for themselves if they are up to it or not. Being nervous about doing it yourself is a healthy place to start however.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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