 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2002-03-09 07:08
After many years without a clarinet, I began monitoring EBay on a regular basis, hoping for a good deal on a new horn. I looked at new clarinets from China, and used Buffets and LeBlanc, etc. Then one day, out for bid, there was a "old wooden clarinet" that came from an estate in the Midwest. This was a generic clarinet that had no pads, no brand name, and probably because of this, no one bid against me. I got it for the minimum, $100.
Next, I send it down South to a repair shop where expert craftmen replaced all the key corks and pads. Mr. Kay identified it as a Selmer (USA) made in the early 70's and still manufactured today (Model CL 201), which retails for $1060.
The Vito mouthpiece which came with the Selmer was replaced by a new Vandoren B45, and I added a Rovner ligature. I have now spent about $350, and I have a clarinet that sounds great and gives me so much pleasure. Granted, the granadilla wood has lost some of its luster, but the sound is powerful, the chalumeau register has a nice velvety tone, the clarion can sounds like a trumpet, and high C seems dead on. I'm using Mitchell Lurie Premium 3 1/2 reeds, and the whole combination is working great for me. I'm in love.
I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Do woodwinds improve with age? Why would a manufacturer not put his brand on a clarinet, unless it was flawed? Money being no object, how much better could the experience of playing the clarinet be, if I purchased a new Patricola or Buffet or LeBlanc? What would be gained?
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-09 14:52
Duke Ellington--"If it sounds good, it is good." I do think that instrument improve with age although I have no scientific data to rely on for support. It is just that every time I unpack my old Buffet R-13s I am amazed at how "much better" they seem to sound. Or maybe it is just my "older age" hearing that is changing. Nevertheless, what do you gain with a more expensive insrument?--probably not that much, really. An "bad" expensive instrument may not play as well as a "good" cheaper instrument. Although, in general, more expensive models will most probably have a slight advantage in tone quality, eveness of scale, more flexability of expression and better control of intonation. But we clarinetists, like car owners who prefer BMWs over Hondas because they "perform" slightly better (and are consequently willing to pay big bucks for that luxurary) are willing to pay the extra money to achieve the slightest of advantage in our performance. Larry Combs, for example, could probably play just as well--and sound just as good--on an intermidiate level instrument, such as a Buffet E-11 or LeBlanc Sonata. But he chooses to play his LeBlanc Opus because, with that instrument, it is slightly easier for him to achieve that level of excellance. A clarinet, after all, according to Artie Shaw, is "just a piece of wood with holes in it" that we use to make music with. It is what we do with it that is most important, not how much it cost or where it came from. Good luck with your "new" instrument and Good Clarineting!!! (play it proudly)
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-09 15:18
Opps--and I am in agreement in defending eBay. I have had four successful transactions as a buyer and have yet to be disappointed. Just be sure that you know what you are bidding on and do not be afraid to "ask the buyer." OK--out of here!! Good ClarineteBaying!!!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-03-09 16:20
Well, Mike, it looks like you did your homework and it paid off. Thank you for sharing with us.
I've heard similar accounts of people more interested in how a clarinet plays than whether it has a 'Name'. Personally, I'd prefer a no-name that plays well to a high falootin' Big Name dog any day.
My teacher of long, long ago insisted that the more you play 'good sounds' on your instrument, regardless of 'brand name', the more it will take on those 'characteristics'.
"And", he'd often say, "Never loan your horn to anyone - ever. It'll take weeks to get it back to where it was after it's returned".
Old woodwind player's tale? Maybe. However, I've never been able to prove him wrong. Maybe that's why we remained good friends for so many years :]
Of course, I've never loaned my personal instruments to anyone to find out. That alone, over these many years, has been worth the price of the lessons... I think
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Author: James
Date: 2002-03-09 16:50
I would have to to kind of disagree with Ebay. Her you are buying a clarinet you haven't even tried. It doesn't really matter what model it is, it could still play awful. I couldn't see anyone who knows about clarinets putting high quality clarinets on ebay unless they were looking to loose money. I know there are some people out there who "make a living" selling clarinets and other things on Ebay but it probably isn't the safest way to buy a clarinet unless it is something extream. Like a buffet r13 for 400 dollars but more than likely anyone who would give up an R13 for 400 dollars really doesn't care for that instrument and would prefer to turn it into fire wood.
What is gained from buying new instuments is knowing where you clarinet has been. I'm a serious player, and I plan on making a carreer of what I am doing and my clarinet is person. It's like in comparison to the quality of paint an artist would use to paint with or the quality of his brush. With getting a new buffet or leblanc. You can go through as many clarinets as you want and you find what fit's you then like much like you do, still send it off to the repairmen (for me brannens) and they make it two times better than it was when you picked it out of the store. None the less, its great you found your perfect clarinet at a much cheaper price. You got lucky, pass it on to the rest of us!
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-03-09 23:32
I bought a Mariguax clarinet on ebay for 350 dollars and love it. I know I was taking a chance that it could have been a dog. However, I emailed the seller a number of times and had a good feeling about him. He had many transactions and excellent feedback. I have always been one to "go with my gut" and in this case I was right. Even if I had to have a clarinet overhauled, which here in my part of the world is under $200, it would still be a good deal. It would appear a number of people selling on ebay have no clue about what they are selling. With all the resources we have available for determing age of instruments by serial number I guess the best advice is to do your homework before jumping in feet first. My Rossi cost $3,500 and is worth every penny. But if I was buying for a new player I am certainly not going to pay that kind of money.
I know some people give you the option of trying out the instrument first. It never hurts to ask. Would I buy another instrument on ebay..You Bet I Would.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-03-12 00:45
I might buy another, but I've bought 4 already, 2Bb's an Eb Alto and a Bb Bass. My wife would kill me if I buy another. But you can find good deals on e-bay if you's prepared to be cautious and do your homework. It helps to have a "genius" mentor like Dave Spiegelthal giving you advice also.
Bob A
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-03-13 19:19
Even though I'm a buyer/seller on eBay, I have to say that the biggest disadvantage is the inability to play-test before purchasing. However, if you're anywhere near the seller you might arrange a meeting. I've been happy to arrange such things for people in the past. But, if someone knows you will take the instrument back (within a short time period so as not to loose out on another sale) they're usually pretty happy about that. There are lots of eBay sellers who don't mind doing that with the money up front.
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