 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JustBored
Date: 2025-08-22 19:09
I'm looking to buy a new A clarinet. What maker's model has the most accurate intonation in your experience?
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-08-22 20:20
I recommend that you try many brands and many clarinets within those brands.
As you probably realize, intonation is but one factor and a relative one at that.
That said, I think that Ridenour and Yamaha are good starting points. Of course there may be things about the instruments you test, or the offerings these makers produce, outside of intonation that find you drawn to, or hesitant to adopt their wares: nothing disparaging meant to the makers but rather how instruments are such a personal preference and how no maker can be all things to all people.
Remember, you're not buying a brand but a single instrument. To point, there are really good Buffets along with the ones with intonation challenges and probably individual clarinets of other brands known for better intonation that are below average for that brand's good intonation reputation.
Good luck.
Post Edited (2025-08-22 20:27)
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2025-08-22 21:49
JustBored,
Please don't get "fixated" only on intonation.
Allow me to ask you some questions to think about...
After many trials, if you found a clarinet that had "the best" intonation...
1. but hated the keywork...would you buy it and play it?
2. but was quite resistant...would you buy it and play it?
3. but cost $10,000,,,would you buy it and play it?
4. but you didn't quite like the tonal quality...would you buy it and play it?
5. but the weight of it was uncomfortably heavy, would you buy it and play it?
6. but had an unfortunate reputation for cracking, would you buy it and play it?
SecondTry is right...you have to try out many clarinets. Bowever, please remember that intonation, however important that is to you, is really only one factor to take into consideration.
All of the above are simply my opinions.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-08-23 01:33
Well, yeah, I certainly agree with the above, but here are my considerations.
If you already have a certain professional line Bb horn, there are the least amount of “switching” problems if you stick with that brand/model - mainly as mentioned above regarding key placement/comfort (familiarity). Back in the day more was made of “matched pair’s” of (blank). I’ve come to think of that now as how similarly the short tube notes play in terms of intonation and resistance (in that order). The notes that stand out as most variable are the open (chalumeau) G, the throat Bb, and open D (two ledger lines above staff). I don’t think any dealer compares the tuning and resistance of EVERY note.
All that said, I’d say the top Yamahas have the most constant intonation from horn to horn (so you’re good if you only have few to choose from). Also, I find the Yamaha A clarinets are about as free blowing as any manufacturer save for Wurlitzer.
…………..Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2025-08-23 02:46)
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-08-23 10:45
"What maker's model has the most accurate intonation...?"
The one with a good player.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: JustBored
Date: 2025-08-23 17:13
Most A clarinets I find have intonation issues that are much greater than on the Bb clarinet. For example, the Buffet E13 Bb clarinet has very good intonation in my experience. It's not perfect, but still quite acceptable. But on the Buffet E13 A clarinet, there are more tuning issues like 12th being more out of tune and more notes in the first register being flat.
On the Selmer Signature clarinet, the Bb clarinet has excellent intonation in all registers. The Signature A clarinet has some tuning issues like notes in the first register being sharp to compensate for the 12th being a bit flat on the middle intervals like d/a, c/g, b/f#
This makes it difficult for me to find an A clarinet that I like.
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Author: lmliberson
Date: 2025-08-23 18:57
Fuzzy has it correct: while you might find some clarinets tuning better than others (and not consistent from one to another of the exact same model), the plain truth is that clarinets don't necessarily play in tune - it's that clarinetists must learn to play them in tune!
To play in tune is an endeavor that never ends.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-08-23 22:49
And when choosing an A clarinet, you don't have to get the same make/model as your Bb to make them a matching set as the same make/model A might not play as you want it to, so try as many different A clarinets out as you possibly can to find the best match for your Bb and ultimately for yourself.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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