 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ilsa
Date: 2002-02-27 18:00
I am trying to wade through a lot of information in order to make the best decision on purchasing a clarinet for my daughter. She is in her second year playing Bb clarinet. She is currently playing on an old clarinet which I initially purchased for me to play for my own enjoyment. In high school, I played a plastic Bundy clarinet with no problems. But I later sold it when I was a poor college student in need of money.
The local music stores here have Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer, and Vito plastic student clarinets available for US$439 - 525. This was after they initially quoted lists prices of $600-700. I have seen similar clarinets priced on the internet for $299-360. The internet prices look pretty good, but I am a bit skeptical of purchasing in this manner. Although the prices offered by the local music stores seem a bit high, I am not sure if it is worth paying more for the advantage of buying locally. Anyone have experiences to share on pros and cons of purchasing via internet vs local with regard to prices, instrument quality, warranty, and service?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-02-27 18:22
Although they are prohibited from self-promotion as per the rules of this bulletin board, we have many "regulars" here that are highly reliable as to quality, warranty, and service - and have sold many clarinets to happy customers (as witnessed by the positive feedback on this board).
Check both the Sponsor link at the top of the page, and the classified section of this site for some other options.
Perhaps, if one of them read your query, they will contact you off line...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ilsa
Date: 2002-02-27 18:51
I am only interested in a new clarinet since I don't really know what to look out for in a used one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-27 21:12
The models you mentioned can be had for less via the larger mail-order houses. You might be able to knock another $25-$50 off the prices if you call the mail order places (see http://www.sneezy.org/Resources/Retail.html for a list of places) and use that for bargaining. After that it's not worth your local shop's time (unless they're Brook-Mays or some other huge company) to dicker any more.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-02-27 23:26
Everyone has opinions so here's mine. Maybe your daughter doesn't need a different instrument. Two years is not very long to have been playing. Does she want a new instrument.....new or used? I recently purchased a used Buffet E-11 on eBay from a "dealer" and I am very satisfied with it. Having "studied" the same subject as you are and having played a number of different instruments I would highly recommend a new E-11 if you want a new instrument....or a good used one if your daughter will be happy with that. That's my input.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DennisP
Date: 2002-02-28 01:57
There are so many clarinets at yard sales that are "good players" and if the student can play it then it's probably reasonable. There are commonly upper student Artleys and of course older Conn and such. I wouldn't spend $400 on a student model that was being used in marching band part of the year. Just a thought.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-02-28 02:43
How old is your daughter? How serious is she about the clarinet? What instrument is she now playing? What is your price range? I don't sell clarinets, but I'm happy to help you with my opinions as a clarinet teacher. You can email me: celestine@enter.net
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-28 03:56
Lisa you said "I am only interested in a new clarinet since I don't really know what to look out for in a used one." Dave Spiegelthal is one of those special people discussed and he will look out for your interests very well. You can count on his expertise and advice. I know, I'm one of his very satisfied customers buying used. When you get it its at least good as new.
Bob A.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-02-28 17:34
Hi Ilsa,
I don't know what sites you've been looking at on the web or which models you've been pricing and that would be useful for making a recommendation. However, absent that information,
in your case, I would recommend that, if you don't purchase an instrument locally, purchase from one of the major mail-order places, Muncy Winds, Woodwind and Brasswind, Fred Weiner and International Music Suppliers come to mind. They will stand behind the instrument they sell, they have long (good) reputations, and you need not worry about the quality of the instrument you purchase or the warranty. I would also recommend that you stick with Buffet (B12, not B10), Leblanc (Vito), Selmer and Yamaha (in alphabetical order, one is probably as good as the next) and not listen to claims that "this is just like a Buffelebselyama."
If you call the mail order places for prices (and I'd recommend you call them all), ask if they will play-test the instrument before shipping it out to catch any manufacturing defects or problems that occurred when the instrument was shipped to them. My guess, based on older catalogs where these stores were still disclosing their prices for student models, is that plastic student models from the major manufacturers will run at least $350 -- $400 plus shipping. I would be leery of fly-by-night websites.
There are alot of variables involved in the decision to purchase locally vs. from one of the mail order houses but one of the important ones may be how good your local store's repair shop is and how service-oriented the local store is. If the store has a good repair shop and is "customer satisfaction" oriented, it may be worth paying a $40 - $50 premium to buy locally. The mail order houses will stand behind what they sell but, to obtain warranty work, you will have to ship the instrument to them (check to see what their shipping cost policy on warranty work is before you buy) and wait for its return. You can simply drop the instrument off at the local store. For "out-of-warranty" work, you will probably want to use a local repair shop in any case. Most are more than happy to work on an instrument whether they sold it to you or not and most will charge the same for repair work regardless of where you purchased the instrument. There may be delays in having an instrument repaired, however, if the store does alot of work for local schools. If you bought the instrument from them, they might be more willing to expedite your work if the repair is minor. A good local shop should be willing to play test the instrument before you take it home and make any needed adjustments. Purchasing locally also supports the local economy.
Depending on the make and model, I think $439 may be a reasonable amount to pay locally. I probably would not be willing to pay $525. If you can afford it, you can probably buy a new Buffet E11 (wooden student model) from one of the mail order houses for $600- $650. In my opinion, that would be a better buy than $525 for a plastic student instrument from one of the major manufacturers. Your daughter can always use her current instrument for marching band. If it's plastic, you already have one plastic horn and one is enough. If it is wood and it cracks, you can probably fill the crack with super glue (or nail polish -- hey, it's a marching band instrument) and not be out much.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-02-28 19:11
I like the Vito V40 for younger players who might be using the instrument outdoors. Or, if you have plenty of money, you might buy a Buffet R-13 Greenline. If you're interested in a V40, they're a higher dollar Vito with undercut tone holes and a better sound and response than the student model Vitos like the 7214 and 7212. If you're interested in a good used one, contact me via email and I can point you in the right direction.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
