 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ted Donaldson
Date: 2001-09-16 00:48
Does any one know of any sites trade bass clarinets?
Or, does anyone want to trade?
The reason being, is that i basically got "ripped off" in the words of my repair man. You be the judge...
King marigaux french blackwood bass to low Eb barely ever used, minor scratches and finger prints. Used to be owned by the 41st army reserve band.
Case with minor blemishes with key and all the papers. Included were new neckstrap, and reed holder and reeds.
Price: 2000 us dollars...
Thanks,
Ted
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-09-16 01:07
It is a good deal if <b>you </b>think it is a good deal. Bass clarinets aren't cheap. I would consider tone quality and flexibility of the instrument. Did you try others before purchasing? Did you ask the seller for a trial period? Would I have paid $2000 for a used King Mariguax (?)--probably not, but then again I don't have a burning desire to play or own a bass clarinet. The SML company does make some fine instruments. Talk with other bass clarinet players and see what they think. Dave S would probably be a good source.
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-09-16 01:31
Ted,
What I don't understand at all is how you got ripped off. If the clarinet is as described and you agreed to pay $2000 for it - that's the deal. What your repairman says later is irrelevant. <b>You</b> agreed to the deal, not your repairman.
Used cars or used instruments - it makes no difference. It's always best to have a mechanic take a look before plunking down the money. Would you ship someone $2000 for a used car sight unseen?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2001-09-16 01:44
Ted, you've got two thousand dollars tied up in what should be a fine professional bass clarinet. Tell me what a Buffet or a Selmer Paris would have run. Bundy's routinely bring $500 on ebay; Vitos even more - and they are beginner plastic horns.
If your Marigaux is anywhere near as good as it should be, you did OK. You didn't get a bargain, but you did OK. If you continue to play the horn, you will get your money's worth. If you decide to sell or trade, you will probably lose money. Marigauxs are great horns - try pricing SML saxes - but they aren't as well known as Buffet and Selmer and therefore usually don't command as high a price. Don't let the deal give you heartburn. Play it proudly.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mike
Date: 2001-09-16 03:29
Hi Ted: If the bass is in good condition and doesn't need an overhaul, then you didn't get ripped off. It was on the high end for something you bought sight unseen. Remember the new Buffet's and Selmer's to Eb go for over $4000 mail-order, so their used prices are going to be in the $2500-$3500 price range. Remember that repairmen have their own opinions and prejudices, just like the rest of us.
The big questions are: (1) how's the intonation? and (2) how does it sound? Can you bite off crisp, full low notes and get a clean, clear sound in the mid-clarion? If so, then it was a good deal. Note that you may need to try a few mouthpieces and work on your chops (if you're not a bass cl. guy) before you can answer these questions.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
