 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mark Zmyewski
Date: 2002-08-21 13:31
Hi.
Well, after reading all of the messages concerning my first post about the possibilty of
me getting a C clarinet and wondering what kind to get, I've decided that it is indeed a
personal issue. I have read good things about Buffet, Noblet, Selmer and Patricola. So,
I guess I just need to sit down and try several and see what works best for me. ( I
have heard that I need to stay away from Amati. Any comments?)
Has anyone ever visited the Woodwind & Brasswind to audition instruments? Is the
staff helpful? I would like a staff member to sit down with me and discuss horn/mouthpiece/
ligature combinations, listen to me play and give me input. www.mapquest.com says
that it should take me about 10.5 hours to drive to South Bend, IN from Huntsville, AL,
so if I'm going to make a long trip (in the spring, after I get my tax refund), I want to
make sure that the staff will be helpful.
If anyone can recommend other places for me to visit to audition C clarinets, I'd appreciate
it.
-Mark Zmyewski
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2002-08-21 15:31
I visited the store last summer. I enjoyed the visit, tried a couple different R13s which impressed me, but overall was not impressed with the assistance that I received while there. I did not ask to speak with a clarinet salesperson, however, so I don't know how that would have affected my experience. I would recommend calling them to see if your requests could be fulfilled.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-08-21 16:10
I would not overlook the Amati regardless of what one member of this BB says. It all depends what you are planning for its use. If just playing with a Church Orchestra, or with a small combo, friends, etc, all "non-professional" gigs, then it should be a very good buy. I would get one if I had that kind of disposible income at this time. Because I haven't I'm convienced I have to learn to transpose. Tough stuff for a geezer to do.
Bob A
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Author: E. Michael Blake
Date: 2002-08-21 17:16
I was in the South Bend showroom last month, and if nothing else it did my heart good to be in a big snazzy music store where wind instruments were actually the main focus. I play-tested some tenor saxes, and I didn't ask for staff help, but my hunch is that I probably wouldn't have gotten much if I had; the personnel at the counter devoted to the tryout of instruments appeared to have a job description limited to looking up what was in stock and hauling instruments from the warehouse to the practice rooms. This doesn't mean you won't find any help there, but it would be worthwhile to get in touch with them in advance (perhaps through the website) to see if you can get help when you show up.
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Author: Blake
Date: 2002-08-21 18:35
Ive had good luck and help from the staff at Chuck Levin's Music Center in Wheaton MD just outside DC. Lots of stock, not nosey staff if you dont want them to be, but helpful if you want. I bring my own stand and etude book and tuner with me to check things out myself. When they see youre a "serious" player, they get more helpful. Also helps to call ahead and schedule an appt with a person and ask for someone who is knowledgeable and ask what kind of depth of stock they have. Muncy Winds in western NC is closer to you. Ive had very good luck with mouthpiece trials and other purchases from them and have heard good things on here about them. Their web-site only tells you how to get the catalogue.. not indepth info like brass/wood and chuck's. One other tip.. I usually go with a fellow clarinet player for trials to get a second opinion and to help look at the tuner etc since i tend to lip if i see it going flat etc. Blake
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-08-21 23:18
Bob - you're on the money - I always say - try all your options and then buy which clarinet you can afford and hopefully it will be one you like, too.
Can't comment on Amati (never played one).
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Author: William
Date: 2002-08-22 00:34
I would recommend dealing with Instrumental Musical Suppliers in DesPlaines, IL. The owner, Lisa, is a professional Chicago are clarinetist and has "connections" with the Buffet distribution center, now located in California. She personally auditions every clarinet before putting it in stock, and sends the "unsuitable ones" back. When I bought my C and bass clarinets, she was able to have five of each model "in house" for me to audition. She is helpful, if you want the "help" or will stay out of your way and let you do your own selection. The store also has quite an inventory of acessories--barrels, pro model mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, cases, just about anything you could need for clarineting. And, being near Chicago, it is a fun place to visit (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Showcase, Andy's, et al) Another option for you might be to make arrangements through IMS and visit the Buffet distribution center personally where you would have even more of a selection from which to choose. http://intlmusicalsuppliers.com
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-08-22 02:23
I visited the South Bend showroom once myself to try out clarinets. I have to concur with the others that their on-site help doesn't seem to be a lot of help. They'll show you to a room and bring as many instruments as you want. I've heard that the people they list in the catalog as their experts on various instruments are very knowledgable and helpful. I'd definately call ahead if you plan to visit and see exactly how much they are willing to work with you.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-08-22 03:58
I've been to WW&BW's showroom twice now. I agree wholeheartedly with everything all the others have said.
I do have one more thing to add. When I was there 3 weeks ago, the guy finding and lugging instruments out for me to try was also a clarinetist. When I asked about the Amati Full Boehms, he replied with incredible distaste. When I asked him what was wrong with Amatis, he said that they usually play well right away and then fall apart a month later.
Again, I have no other info on Amatis. This is just what the guy at WW&BW said to me...
Katrina
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-08-22 04:08
William,
Do you ever wonder what Buffet, Howarth, Leblanc, Patricola, Rossi and Yamaha do with all those clarinets Lisa (at INTERNATIONAL Musical Suppliers) sends back to them? I do. Does Buffet, e.g., mark them "Master Model" or "Academy" or "Jinyin"? Send them to New Zealand? Can you show me anywhere, in writing, that Lisa actually sends anything back TO THE MANUFACTURERS or do the ads simply say that she personally inspects every clarinet that comes in?
Seriously, I'm looking at an ad in a past IMS catalog for a "Clarinet Service Special." It says:
"For an ADDITIONAL [emphasis mine] $200, we offter the following services on all new R-13 models:
Tighten joint and bell rings
Check and adjust the fit of all tenons and sockets
Regulate and balance spring tensions
CHECK AND CLEAN ALL TONE HOLES FOR WOOD CHIPS [emphasis mine]
Repad the top joint in cork"
If loose rings, tenons and sockets that don't fit, or toneholes full of wood chips aren't grounds for rejection, what is? Perhaps she has a lower rejection rate than one might imagine? I can see an extra charge for adjusting spring tensions and repadding the top joint in cork, but charging extra for the other three????? Special indeed.
jnk
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-08-22 04:15
South Bend and Chicago are relatively close and could both be visited in one trip. Blake is right, Muncy in Boone, NC is only 2/3 the distance to South Bend from Huntsville. Muncy is also owned by a clarinetist.
Be aware that all 3 of these stores and some others as well will ship up to 3 instruments for you to evaluate, secured by your credit card #. This could save you a trip, but follow the rules (which vary) carefully or you could end up owning an instrument that you don't want. Also, you will pay shipping and possibly other charges.
Chicago is a great place to visit, see the Sears tower, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Brookfield Zoo. South Bend is more sparce, but Univ of Notre Dame and the Studebaker museum are worthwhile. I've never been to Boone.
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Author: Arthur
Date: 2002-08-22 05:05
Yes, I went there once, and it was "riff Saturday" where every lead guitar player in flatland came with his groupies to play for one minute for a prize. Back to your original question, about C clarinets...they are almost as uncomfortable to play as Eb clarints. YOu need access to barrels and other mouthpieces. They are too bright and you have to really work on pitch, using a tuner almost while you play. Try Muncey, he will know more than anyone and help you get something you can live with. I use mine when I have to play oboe parts and do not have time to transpose. Good luck> Has anyone tried Morgan C mouthpieces?
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-08-22 16:23
jnk: just to let you know you are not alone in your opinions. And to the original poster...I've never been there but I've had good delivery service from them on reeds, etc. Their website leaves a lot to be desired.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2002-10-24 16:31
Arthur,
I've played both an RM15 and RM28 Morgan C clarinet mouthpiece. I prefer the RM28 (1.28 mm). The Morgan C mouthpiece made a HUGE difference with intonation and tonal quality on my C clarinet. I highly recommend it to others. Normally, RM15 (1.15 mm) is the largest tip opening Ralph makes in a C mouthpiece. However, it was not a problem to have him make a 1.28 mm mouthpiece for me as a special order. When the RM28 arrived it was love at sight from the very first note. Ralph is joy to talk with and easy to do business with. I've ended up using Morgans on clarinet and all of my saxophones.
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