 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-06-05 20:27
Having been a great fan of Leblanc instruments for fifty years, for whatever reason I decided to go in a different direction this time. I had, in fact, pretty much decided on a new Patricola, so I corresponded with all US dealers and Patricola themselves. I posed what I thought were simple questions: I would like to buy one of the following models (models listed); what would be the delivery time required for each, and what would be the price of each? Not a single dealer in the US gave me a straight answer. I had considered tripping to Italy to pick one up from the factory, but Patricola rather dashed that idea by advising that they sell only through dealers to residents of countries where dealers exist. So much for Patricola.
I then began a finer-tuned examination of Amati, and it appeared that some of the old urban legends about Amati instruments may well have been true. In fact, quijote reported that in his view, the primary considerations of Clarinets are "intonation, intonation, intonation, period." And, he says, "Amati instrumants have been notorious for having problems with it." While I hardly respect intonation as the sole criterion of Clarinet quality (a tone similar to that of a splattering mashed potato, for instance, would rather put me off), hower, intonation problems have in fact been known to exist in older Amatis, but after about a year of investigation, I have found no current evidence of such. The history of Amati through government control from a country with centrally-planned economy and profits-on-demand passed on to the government is hardly a reasonable way to enhance production quality.
The more I examined Amati as a possible buy, the more admirable the instruments became. Having had the opportunity to play a full-Boehm Bb Amati rather cinched the deal for me. I found the intonation excellent, and tone quality was hardly beatable. Then I began examining the instrument's prices. I checked through dealers, distributors, and factory-owned stores in Europe. I will make only two more comments in rebuttal to others, as I do not believe any positive purpose can be served by their continuation. First, quijote's "Amatis are crap." All I can say is that ir's hardly a comment worthy of approbation. And finally, there is Mark Pinner's statement regarding Amati quality, which he describes as "Just intermediate quality if it is an Amati Porfessional." I don't know if that is a consensus statement, or if it is just a statement pulled out of the air. I do know, however, that gbk has been playing Buffet R-13 instruments for a great number of years, he owns eleven of them, and he favorably compares his new Full-Boehm Amati A Clarinet to anything in his Buffet stable.
Finally, for my Amati ACL-602 II, my payment for the instrument only was $396.52.
A trip to Prague can be lovely at any time of year. I am not a travel agent.
Case closed. From now on, you should be able to figure it out for yourself.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-06-05 20:58
As a continuation to JMcAulay's post:
Yes, I have been playing Buffets since the day I began clarinet. Now 40 years, and 11 Buffets later, I still feel they represent the benchmark in clarinet design, workmanship, and sound.
As an unusual set of circumstances came before me, I was able to obtain a full Boehm Amati A clarinet ACL675 (20 keys 7 rings):
http://www.amati.cz/english/production/instruments/files/acl/acl_675g.htm
Never in my wildest imagination had I thought I would own an Amati clarinet (certainly not before a Yamaha, Leblanc or Selmer), but the careful workmanship, quality and playability of this instrument continues to impress. Dollar for dollar this is probably one of the best kept secrets (until now) in instrument pricing.
I do not know if Amati will be represented at the upcoming Clarinetfest, or at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, but if they are, I would encourage all to at least spend some time testing their instruments. Then, post your findings on this bulletin board. I'm sure JMcAulay and I will not be alone in our enthusiasm..GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wjk
Date: 2002-06-06 02:25
Out here in the Hamptons, we simply look at the price of an instrument and its accessories. The more expensive, the better. Period. The pleasure of spending top dollar supersedes any superficial considerations such as intonation. I'm sure GBK would agree with me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-06-06 03:10
What are some ballpark figures for an Amati pro. instrument?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-06-06 04:17
The Amati professional clarinets are the 6xx series (the 2xx series is labeled student, and the 3xx series is considered intermediate).
I checked, and Amati clarinets are listed in the current Woodwind/Brasswind catalog. Their selling price reflects a discount of approximately 55% off the list price.
JMcAulay's clarinet was selected and purchased in Czechoslovakia, and mine happened to be a unique situation, so what we paid would not be representative of the current selling prices.
However, I will reiterate that Amati professional clarinets represent an exceptional value for the money...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-06-06 11:29
Same as with almost any other instruments, Amati prices are all over the place. One dealer who seems to sell quite a few of these is Dominick's Music, 27 Lexington Avenue, Magnolia, MA 01930.
Dominick's shows the Amati ACL-601 II at a list price of $1,500, their price $800. The only difference between the instrument I bought and this one is that mine has the left little finger G#/D# key, which is only a few-dollar item.
As GBK has already advised, my instrument was bought from an Amati-owned store in Prague. So mine cost me $396.52, and Dominick's wants $800. Is this unreasonable? Hardly. The arrangements I had to make, the amazing difference in ease of purchase... as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Personally, I'm a cheapskate. I knew what I was getting for less than $400, and I recognized the advantages I'd have had in paying twice as much money. By the way, in order to protect US dealers, the Amati Prague store will NOT ship instruments ordered from the US. Money (or a credit card impront) has to change hands right there in their store.
Not that I expect it to happen, but if my instrument collapses into a pile of rubble this evening, I have to figure how to get it back to Prague to get a warranty repair. Just shippping it to Dominick's would be a lot easier. I, of course, am betting that won't happen.
Personally, I beleve my instrument would have been a bargain at $800. At $400, no way could I pass it up. And Prague is lovely this time of year.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-06-06 11:54
I will stick by my previous comment. I am looking however at purchasing their 346 German system Eb. If I can find a dealer, that is. I have compared their German system professional horns with Hammershmidt, upper level Uebel,Adler and Yamaha and they are not up to the same standard.
By the same token however they are very good value for money. Their bassoons are utter crap but their contra is perfectly serviceable.
For the record I do not tend to pull statements out of the air.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-06 17:15
It's interesting to see that someone besides me thinks Amati's are worth considering. With the exchange rate I guess the list in Prague was around $1200 or so. One can also deal direct with Amati's office in New Joisy. Please note that Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore. The area is known as the Czech Republic.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-06-06 17:51
"...Please note that Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore..."
oops...Right you are. (and I was being SO CAREFUL to spell Czechoslovakia correctly) ...GBK (who still has his childhood collection of postage stamps from Czechoslovakia)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-06-06 18:54
Mark, which previous statement are you sticking by? That Amatis are crap? Yet they are good value for money? I personally do not hold Amati German instruments in the same regard as I do Richard Keilwerth German instruments, but as Keilwerth does not make an Eb instrument, that sort of limits one's selection, doesn't it. I also do not hold Richard Keilwerth Boehm instruments in anywhere near the regard that I hold Amati Boehm Professional instruments. As I have also said before, I have not played an Amati instrument other than a Professional Boehm, thus I am very reluctant to buy one of their ACL-351 C Clarinets, as the 3XX model number brands it as an intermediate instrument. I would very much like to buy a C Clarinet, but I need a lot more information beat into my head before I'm ready to do that.
Frankly, I would rather we try to help one another in meeting our goals rather than fighting the situation out. Right now, I'd like a good inexpensive Boehm C larinet, and it seems that you would like a good inexpensive German E-flat Clarinet. I'll see what I can find.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
