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WW&BW store brand clarinet

Author: jenni
Date: 1999-05-14 13:33

Does anyone have any experience with "The Woodwind" clarinet sold by WW&BW? Who actually makes this instrumment, and are they playable? Or is it better to spend the extra $80-100 and get a Vito 7212 or Buffet B-10 or B-12? Also, is the B-12 appreciably better than the B-10?
Thanks for any replies!
Jenni

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RE: WW&BW store brand clarinet

Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-05-14 14:00

I hope I won't be spreading false negative information here, as I don't know who currently makes the WW&BW clarinets or how good they are ---- however, having said that, I'll just relay one experience of mine: About 6-7 years ago, looking for a cheap soprano sax, I ordered the WW&BW house-brand model. It was made in China, and it was AWFUL! The intonation was horrendous, and the workmanship was poor. It was a complete waste of money, as it played so badly I couldn't use it in public performance. I ended up GIVING it away and buying a good instrument. Now I've heard that some of the current crop of Chinese and Taiwanese instruments have improved to the point where they're reasonable instruments, but by all means, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! (And I believe that the WW&BW instruments are still made in China, someone please correct me if I'm wrong!) Compare with name brands such as Leblanc/Vito, Buffet/Evette, Selmer/Bundy, and Yamaha. You might be better off spending $100-$200 more for a name-brand instrument. Buying a lousy instrument is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Just my two cent's worth.
Dave Spiegelthal
Calverton, VA

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RE: WW&BW store brand clarinet

Author: Drew
Date: 1999-05-14 15:12

Jenni:

Here's something to consider; some repair techs won't work on "Chinese" instruments, and those that do often charge more. Also, availability of repair parts for non-standard instruments can be a problem.

If money is an issue, I'd recommend scouting out the used market. Depending on what you are looking for, you can often find a very serviceable, namebrand instrument that will cost you less than half of a new instrument even after a trip through a repair shop. There are many "homeless" clarinets out there looking for active owners.

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Try a used Buffet B-12

Author: Clare
Date: 1999-05-15 17:24

I managed to find a great used B-12 for about $100. With a good mouthpiece and ligature, a used instrument can sound fantastic! I recommend Buffet B-12. I've heard Vitos and they don't (usually) sound as good.

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RE: Try a used Buffet B-12

Author: Dee
Date: 1999-05-15 19:30

Clare wrote:
-------------------------------
I managed to find a great used B-12 for about $100. With a good mouthpiece and ligature, a used instrument can sound fantastic! I recommend Buffet B-12. I've heard Vitos and they don't (usually) sound as good.
-------------------------------

Ah but what mouthpiece were the players using? Unless they had also put on a good mouthpiece, you are not making a proper comparison.

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RE: Try a used Buffet B-12

Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-05-15 23:06

Definitly play before you buy. I just got my son a used Vito to start with and it simply (we used our VanDoren mps) out played the other clarinets by a wide margin, even the other used Vitos.

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RE: Try a used Buffet B-12

Author: Clare
Date: 1999-05-15 23:26

I don't know their mouthpieces. I use a Vandoren 5RV Lyre on mine.

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