 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Smiley
Date: 2001-11-13 04:04
Can someone answer a general question?
When I was younger I played B flat clarinet actively from the age of eight through fourteen. But then when I entered high school I thought cheerleading and partying were much cooler alternatives. So, eight years later I have decided to start back up again. I really loved playing then and I know now it would still fulfill me with the peace that playing always did.
Any way the point of all this is... well we all know how well our mothers are at throwing away our past cherished goods. So with that in mind I no longer have my instrument. I need a new clarinet.
Does anyone know what brands are best? I know I had a Bundy clarinet and I can remember preferring the pretty wood finish compared to the plastic appearance of the other girls' instruments. Anyone have any input for me as to which instruments may be best.
Thank you
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-13 04:40
Bundys are pretty okay horns, Smiley. You can probably find a reconditioned one that won't set you back a bundle. Around here, Sacramento, CA, they run around two-fifty to three hundred this time of year (the school crunch is over). Try your local music store/repair shop. Since you already have some experience, you might want to invest in a decent mouthpiece rather than spend a lot on a wood clarinet at this time. The mouthpiece is an important, personal and somewhat permanent item; you can upgrade instruments any ol' time
- ron b -
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Author: Smiley
Date: 2001-11-13 04:47
Thanks Ron,
I live in Scottsdale AZ so I shouldn't have a problem finding a decent music store.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-13 07:57
Your welcome, Smiley. I'm not saying you should consider only Bundys, I'm just saying there's nothing wrong with them if they're in good working order. There are many good brands and I'm sure a lot of opinions will follow soon. If you like wood instruments and can afford one, by all means consider that. Find a store with a large selection, though, so you can try out a lot of them or ask a friend who plays to help you if your chops are too far out of shape at the moment.
- ron b -
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Author: William
Date: 2001-11-13 14:55
I would recommend two intermediate instruments for you to try and consider: the LeBlanc Sonata or the Buffet E-11. These are not quite professional level, but rather, high-quality and great playing wood clarinets that, IMHO, you could not go wrong with. Welcome back!!!!
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-13 16:08
There are also the Leblanc Noblets or Normandies, depending on the quality you are looking for and the amount you want to spend.
If you'd like to spend less, try finding them used, in good condition. There are usually a few good, used, wood clarinets of various makes and models up for sale at any given time.
Most of us old timers have bought used instruments at one time or another, and if you are careful, you should do just fine with them.
Especially when buying used, remember to figure the price of a possible overhaul and adjustment in what you want to spend for the instrument. Even if you don't absolutely have to do this right away.
If you don't plan on having it overhauled and adjusted right away, just concentrate on the best you can buy, for the money you have to spend, and worry about the other later. If it sounds good, as is, it will sound better after the eventual overhaul and adjustment. (If you send it to be done with someone who really knows how to do it and has a proven record!)
Carefully look at the inside of all pieces and ensure there are no splits in the wood. Gently grip various posts between thumb and index finger and gently wiggle them to ensure all are tight and there is no undue play in them. If there is, they may only need tightening, or there may be a problem with the wood under them.
Play consciously and listen carefully to determine if you like the sound you hear. Make sure you warm it up before the serious listening part.
With not having a reliable mouthpiece, it's like what came first, the chicken or the egg: How can you tell about an instrument, if you don't have a good mouthpiece? How do you know the particular mouthpiece will suit you and the particular instrument, if you buy it without having the particular instrument present?
That's often why it's a good idea to purchase from a large enough, reputable shop, so you can try a few of each to see which suits you (and each other) best.
If you don't, or can't get to such a shop, then I'm not sure what to tell you next, except that I went to the clarinet from a long line of other instruments and the first thing I did (as with the other instruments) was purchase the means by which to play it.
Buy a decent, but relatively inexpensive mouthpiece at first (Hite, etc.) to try out your prospective instruments. As with the overhaul and adjustment, whichever instrument sounds good to you with that mouthpiece should eventually sound much better with a really good mouthpiece.
As I've said in other places, e-bay scares me, but there are others on this BB who have made good deals on e-bay.
I, personally, would try to take a day off from my usual routine and make a trip to a "big city" to visit some of the larger (better?) available music shops. Get there early and plan to spend the day.
Since your time would be limited, at least per visit, make a few telephone calls before you go, so you don't waste time going to a couple of guitar shops before you find one with a good stock of clarinets.
I vaguely seem to remember that there is a major music dealer somewhere in Arizona, but can't quite place it in my mind. Does anyone else know? If so they may be close enough to you for you to be able to get there and do your thing.
I think the best way I've heard to express why you should take your time and purchase your clarinet right, came from Jack Kissinger, who said in another thread:
'"Marry in haste, repent at leisure." I suspect, in most cases, it applies equally well to buying a clarinet.'
Take it to heart, he's absolutely correct.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-13 16:25
Sorry, I forgot, sometimes you can get some excellent deals at small repair shops who purchase used instruments for repair and resale. There are generally at least a couple of those in every major city. They deal mainly with school repairs, etc., but "moonlight" with the repair-for-resale trade.
Make sure they are reputable and another added advantage to dealing with them is that the instruments are usually in very good, if not excellent playing condition when you get them.
If you should bring it back at any future date, for any reason, at any time, they are also usually good about making any minor repair or adjustment at little or no charge.
One such shop here has done this for me six months after a purchase. It's worth it to make friends of them.
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Author: Smiley
Date: 2001-11-13 18:01
WOW! Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate it!
Jessica
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2001-11-15 23:58
Smiley,
I will pass on a sage piece of advice my music buddies gave me when in your position. Buy the best that you can afford depending on your situation. My clarinet is a student plastic model that some would turn their noses up at, but it is the best I could get on limited resources. Also, it gives me pleasure just the same playing it and when I can afford to get a "real" clarinet then at least I can decide if I want to.
Hope this helps cuz I had stopped playing and returned after a 30 yr vacation...back to my "first love"..LOL
Kirk
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