 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Susie
Date: 2002-01-25 20:27
I am on the verge of buying an R-13... either a new one or a used one...I tried a number of new ones and picked one of them, and have tried the used one (from around 1978) and they both sound good.
I know some of the benefits of a used instrument... has been around awhile (in my part of the country), so hopefully there's a little less chance of it cracking...this one has been overhauled and "checked out" very recently so hopefully there are no pad/cork/etc. problems... it costs less ( about $500 less)...
So.. given these understandings, are there any clear benefits to a new instrument (other than that it's shiny and fun to own something 'brand' new :-))
Susie
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2002-01-25 21:46
I think this is a great questions and look forward to seeing how some of the regulars respond. I used to think "new" was the end all, be all. However, I'm slowly changing my views. Example: (and please no one jump on me for "commercialism" since the horn I'm referring to has already been sold).
Brenda Siewert recently sold a Greenline that she had personally selected out of several, and then had Brannenized. The horn was only a few months old, and she sold it for less than a brand new one would have cost. Frankly, I think this particular horn was probably worth more than a new one, and I certainly would have bought it instead of a new one had I been in the market for it.
Similarly, I recently bought a 1950's or 1960's (not sure which) Malerne from Dave Spiegelthal that he restored. There are no cracks, the key work is fine with little wear, and the intonation is wonderful. I'm hard pressed to see why a brand new version of the same horn (if they were still being made today at the same quality level) would be any better than mine.
One thing for sure. If I was a beginner buying a horn for the first time, I'd seriously consider buying a used horn if it were in excellent shape and at a good price (or if it was still a good price after factoring in the cost to have it restored by someone I trust such as Dave, the Brannens, John Butler, etc.).
When I started playing again after a 30 year absence and needed a horn, I didn't know anything, so I bought an R-13 new, being ignorant as to whether it was good. I later sold it and bought my Leblanc Opus used from Brenda for an excellent price, and I've been a happy camper ever since. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's possible to get a used instrument that is every bit as good as a brand new one (and possibly better), with the added advantange of getting a reduced price.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-01-26 00:05
IMHO One should first determine if there is a valid reason requiring "new" to fit the situation. (Let's exclude peer pressure immediately):
1. Is there a commercial requirement (for example, all other members of the section play R-13's and closely matched tonality is a real consideration).
2. Again commercial--An instrument, solo or harmony, is needed within certain time limitations that would prevent extensive search and trials (assume you are not well known musically and can command the services of companies willing to send you several instruments for appraisal.)
You have attended a clinic and some instrument demonstrated grabbed you by the arm and whispered in your ear, "Buy Me, Buy Me!!.
You have more money than sense.
Other than that, buying used makes a great deal of sense. Temper this with the consideration that we older folk having survived one depression are, as my Scottish friends put it, "canny wi their brass."
Bob A
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-01-26 00:32
I've never owned a new clarinet in my life....perhaps I will one day. However, I have overhauled and restored (there is a difference!) many clarinets during my career and I would like to have owned quite a few of them. I particularly like exploring each models "personality" as it were. Dave and others who do this regularly will know what I'm speaking about.
Yes, I have played new clarinets that are very worthy of ownership as well. Luckily I've always insisted that I wait and think about major purchases...of anything.... and always come back to the fact that what I have plays wonderfully well and why do I really need to buy a new one. Perhaps one day I will also succumb. (Psst...didn't I see an ad for new Selmer 10G's for $XXXX.XX just the other day. I wonder if I still have that flier?) Hey folks...gotta go and look for something!
jbutler
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-01-26 00:34
There are some players and repair techs that claim that certain serial number ranges for the R-13 were more desirable than others.
Hans Moennig supposedly stopped selling R-13's after about #125,000 because of the changes that had been made to the keywork and springs, as well as the fact that he could no longer order clarinets with unplated keys (which he felt were not as slippery as nickel or silver, and easier to file and bend).
Moennig also had concerns about the length of time the wood was being cured.
Clark Fobes noted that he thought there were certain characteristics and tuning parameters in certain groups of serial numbers.
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Equipment/Intonation.html
Others, however will say that the last few years have been the "golden age" of Buffet, and the quality has never been better.
What to do? If the clarinet sounds good, tunes well and is in top mechanical condition the decision should be easy, no matter what the year.
In the overall scheme of things, clarinets are still a relatively inexpensive long term purchase...GBK
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