 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DaleS
Date: 2025-02-24 02:51
Hello everyone,
My granddaughter is in HS playing the clarinet. Lately, her instructor told her she should upgrade from her student version that we are currently renting. Since I know virtually nothing about clarinets, I did the usual Google search I came across GoldenEraInstruments.com. They seems to have good instruments for an affordable price.
So my questions:
1) has anyone dealt with them?
2) is GoldEraInstruments.com a reputable company to buy from?
3) are the instruments good to use today?
Thank you
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2025-02-24 03:06
1) No
2) No
3) ???
It depends on the brand they're selling. If it's a private brand, I would hazard a guess that they're what we refer to as "CSO"s - Clarinet Shaped Objects. A mid-tier instrument is not going to be cheap - used, maybe 5 or 6 hundred dollars for a reasonable instrument with a reasonable mouthpiece. A mid-tier instrument can hit $1500 new very easily. Her instructor should be suggesting the instrument. Find out what the instructor is suggesting and then post it here so we can chime in.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-02-24 03:16
Attachment: Complete Leblanc Clarinet Brochure.pdf (1854k)
Hello DaleS,
Welcome to the forum... and you've got a bit of a learning curve coming in to learn about a quality instrument for your HS age granddaughter.
First, I have never dealt with that website or company. That being said, the prices aren't bad and are inline with what to expect for their inventory (largely Leblanc clarinets).
Now, let's get into some biases in the clarinet community and perhaps your granddaughter's musical aspirations.
* Is she planning on playing in college and becoming a music major? If so, it may make sense to get a professional-level instrument as opposed to an intermediate instrument.
* Is she taking any private lessons? If so, you will want her teacher's input on which instrument to consider.
* Has she upgraded her mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds to get the most out of the clarinet she already has? This is often a far less expensive route to begin with. Usually for about $200 she can get a better mouthpiece and ligature setup to immediately improve tone quality.
All of that being said and considered, the most common brand of clarinet is Buffet Crampon. Most music majors and professionals have owned at one time or another... a Buffet R13 clarinet. It the "defacto" standard and usually the first major upgrade of an instrument.
Brand new, these clarinets can run $3,500+. Used, they're about $1,200+ on sites like eBay and Reverb in various levels of condition.
On the GoldenEraInstruments site, I would consider:
- Selmer Paris Series 10
- Selmer Paris Series 9*
- Leblanc Paris LL
- Evette & Schaeffer
I would NOT get her a metal clarinet. They may be fantastic, but she's stand out too much, and perhaps not for the right reasons.
I'm also attaching a Leblanc clarinet brochure from the mid-1990s just to help you see and rank the various models such as Leblanc and Noblet clarinets.
Buying a clarinet can be a journey and while anything may be an improvement over what she has now, that doesn't necessarily mean that she'll 'love' the new instrument too.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren #3 reeds
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2025-02-24 03:30
David H. Kinder wrote:
Thanks for the complete answer, David. I see the site is related to Dr. Charles Fail, a well-known clarinetist:
"Golden Era Instruments, LLC is a "labor of love" for Dr. Charles Fail and family. For many years, Charles and his family owned and operated Charles Fail Music, Inc."
The site was registered 10 years ago, too.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2025-02-24 21:40
Hi DaleS,
As a former HS band director and woodwind teacher, that is exciting to see that someone is ready to move up. A golden era instrument is a very good place to check things out. I have owned many of the clarinets that are pictured on the website and am happy to comment.
Of particular interest are the LeBlanc L200 and the Selmer 9* which currently serve as my backups. Both of these rank tops as great older instruments that are well built and have the very best intonation.
My main clarinet is a Yamaha CS Custom which is probably the best clarinet I have ever owned but costs considerably more to purchase. Now if you can find a Yamaha 650 in good shape, that might be a good way to go.
I have not had any experience with this vendor but just reading the ad, I know there is someone in the wings with a lot of clarinet savvy.
Good luck!
Hank
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Author: donald
Date: 2025-02-24 23:31
I agree with Hank about the L200 (Hi Hank!) but also saw a Leblanc Rhapsody at a reasonable price (though I'd reface the B45). These were "step up" clarinets, not considered full pro horns, but I had a student who played one and can recall being very impressed when I play tested it for her.
Like others above I have no experience with this vendor so can't testify to the quality of the overhauls.
dn
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-02-25 03:36
Wow - if only I still played Boehm!
I'd go for that L200. My favorite Boehm of all time! (I've had two of them and they played with the same identical characteristics. Top notch. Unfortunately, I "lent" one out and it never returned.) Wonderful instruments.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: DaleS
Date: 2025-02-25 05:32
Thank you all for the insight. It is helpful. Not sure how soon we will make a decision, but it sure helps.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-02-25 11:45
David Kinder wrote:
"... the most common brand of clarinet is Buffet Crampon. Most music majors and professionals have owned at one time or another... a Buffet R13 clarinet. It the "defacto" standard and usually the first major upgrade of an instrument..."
I would strongly recommend you to look at Selmer (Paris) instruments, such as Selmer 10, 10G, or maybe 9*.
They may not be as popular as the Buffet R13, but the prices are much lower - you can get a restored/ overhauled Selmer 10 for $800-$900, but the overhauled R13 will run at least $1500-$1600 (eBay / Reverb prices)
Selmer 10/10G are very nice instruments, were used by many players at different settings, from jazz to classical. 10G is preferable, but the 10 is very nice too. Both have easy response which is preferable for a beginner.
The R13, on the other hand, can be resistive.
Selmer's build quality is as good as Buffet's (some will say the wood is better).
My 2p
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-03-09 11:13
I agree with Leblanc L200; a really fine instrument. I have one that I use occasionally. The Selmer 10G is actually a copy of a Buffet R13 that was modified over a period of a few years. 10S is pure Selmer.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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