 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sarah Ann
Date: 1999-08-04 02:47
Hi, I am a high school senior clarinetist and am planning to major in musical performance and education when I get into college, which will probably be Howard Payne University in Brownwood,Texas(if anyone knows where that is). The clarinet I have is what I have been playing on since the 6th grade and it's holding me back. I want to buy a professional clarinet, but I don't have much money to spend $2,000 or more on one! Does anyone know of what clarinet brands are good and also where I can find them, but aren't so expensive? Everyone says the R-13 Buffet is the best to get, but I haven't found one in my budget yet.
Thanks,
Sarah Ann
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Author: angella
Date: 1999-08-04 03:10
i'm buying a set of buffet's now- the b flat is costing 1700, i think, which is good. if you want a good clarinet you're going to have to spend about that much, though, you can check the classifieds here at this sight- there are some b flat's for sale that i know of for much less than new. i'd try there.
good luck
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Author: Therese
Date: 1999-08-04 03:34
have you tried looking on ebay? they sometimes have really good finds! Also, I think Leblanc has some really nice clarinets too. good luck! therese
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-08-04 08:14
My ideas:
1)Find a shop who offers student discount.
2)I found Selmer Signature sells around 2200$. I am not recommending this one to you since it is beyond your budget.But my point is that Signature's list price is about twice as much or more and that other Selmer models such as Recitals,10SII,or 10G may be discounted than Buffets,which is American people's preference.Since Selmer does not like to see their discounted prices shown on any catalogue,it may be good for you to ask a pro shop (like muncy or wwandbw) how much Recital,10SII and 10G are.The 10G,designed and used by Anthony Gigliotti,ex Philadalphia principal,may be good for you since its bore size is 0.574",which is equal to most of Buffets and it is easy to find alternative suitable mouthpiece or barrel in future.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-08-04 12:03
Hiroshi wrote:
-------------------------------
The 10G,designed and used by Anthony Gigliotti,ex Philadalphia principal,may be good for you since its bore size is 0.574",which is equal to most of Buffets and it is easy to find alternative suitable mouthpiece or barrel in future.
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I play a 10G:
Barrels that work well are hard to come by.
Mouthpieces - no problem.
The 10G plays naturally brighter than many people like.
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Author: ted
Date: 1999-08-04 12:10
The R13 is the most popular model in this country, but there is no "best" clarinet. Are the Ford Taurus or Toyota Camry the best cars simply bacause most people buy them?
I would suggest a used professional clarinet that has been reconditioned. They tend to last "forever" if taken care of properly. There are several mail order shops
www.wwandbw.com
www.taylormusic.com
wichita band instruments (don't remember web address)
and others.
Also check some of your local music stores for used pro instruments.
Used Buffet R13s typically sell for 800 to 1200 dollars. Used Selmer and Leblanc Pro models usually sell for $600 to $1200. I hear Yamaha's are good too, but I'm not famaliar with them.
In the used Selmer line, I would consider the Series 9*, Series 10, and Series 10G as an alternative to the Buffet R13. Selmer does have other good pro models, but I think of names off-hand.
In the Leblanc line, I would consider the L7, LX, Concerto, Infinite. Like the other manufacturers, Leblanc also has other great pro models.
My own story is that I purchased my Leblanc L7 pro Bb clarinet reconditioned (new pads, corks, key adjustments) from a local music store for under $800. I was almost indistinguishable from a new clarinet cosmetically. I purchased a discontinued new Leblanc LX pro A clarinet for around $800 from a mail-order company. The equivalent of both these clarinets "new" would be about $1700 to $2000 each.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-08-05 01:50
I have never used used clarinets since I think fresh grenadilla is live and old grenadilla is half dead,although part of life is recovered by juvinilization using proper oiling.(I heard some of French clarinet players changes their clarinets every 2-3 years to new ones.) But this is my feeling without firm theoretical bases.
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-08-05 05:18
I bought my 40 year old LeBlanc professional model Dynamic 2 from a San Jose (CA) music store for about $800. Could be had for less in places probably. You can get some real gems in the used market. If you're really serious about getting the best horn you can get for under a grand, get a used one.
BE very very careful if you use ebay. More often than not you'll end up putting a lot of money and/or effort into the horn for reconditioning. I bought one on ebay for the express reason of reconditioning it and discovered it to be in less favorable condition than advertised, including a non-disclosed pinned crack. Go to someplace where you can put your hands on the clarinet first.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-08-06 02:33
The wood is dead even before it is made into the clarinet. Grenadilla is aged (atleast used to be, when the supply was plentiful) a few years before even being bored or cut. If someone can afford to buy new clarinets every couple of years or so, more power to them. But they're simply waisting money unless they are buying a new clarinet of a different make or model that they found they liked better. And while it's good for those of us who buy second hand instruments, people who sell their used ones and buy new ones so often end up asking more than most people are willing to pay for a used horn; even if it's only 2-3 years old.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 1999-08-06 08:16
Some manufacturers advertise that their top of the line models are made from aged grenadilla wood. If the manufacturer does not claim that their wood is aged I would assume it is kiln dried, which according to my repairman is more prone to cracking than aged wood. This may be worth considering when deciding which clarinet to buy.
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Author: www.mytempo.com
Date: 1999-08-06 15:26
Try contacting a mail order company, and maybe purchasing 2 or 3 on trial. They won't charge you more then $300 on your card till you either return, or purchase one of them.
International Music Suppliers
Woodwind & Brasswind
Muncy
David Hite
are all great dealers. Hite will custom pick you a Clarinet, and make sure that it is set up properly for around $2000.
E-mail me privately if you need contact info.
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Author: angella
Date: 1999-08-06 19:48
muncy winds will also pick out a good clarinet, if you ask them and are very cooperative in my experience with them. i order from them all the time.
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