The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Casey
Date: 2002-10-07 23:08
I havent been on this site for a long time, but i noticed in the sponsers that Graham you're in it. And id like to say congradulations, and i hope you're business does well. I hope to see you in the top 10 greatest music stores someday. Good job!!
*~*Casey*~*
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-08 00:58
I have been in contact with Graham Golden on numerous occasions, and will vouch for him as a fine gentleman and honest businessman.
He is attempting a very difficult task - to promote, in the USA, the new Amati line of instruments in a very competitive woodwind market. He is constant communication with the Amati distribution center in New Jersey, as well as Amati in the Czech Republic in an attempt to sell the finest, hand selected and adjusted instruments.
As a long time Buffet player, I do happen to also own one Amati clarinet (ACL 675 - full Boehm A clarinet) and find that this pro model plays with nice coloration combined with a very even and effortless scale. In every aspect, it is a pleasure to play.
I did write a full review of this particular instrument on 5/16/02:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=78073&t=78073
Amati faces a difficult task - to make inroads against the "Big 4".
Certainly, these instruments represent a quality product at a substantial value...GBK
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-10-08 03:06
GBK:
How has the Amati held up? When I talked with a guy at WW&BW he said they fall apart after a month...not that I fully believed him, but he may only have had knowledge of the beginner horns...and yours is NOT a beginner level horn...
I'm curious to know how your horn has "aged" (I know it's only been a few months, but I'm always curious...lol).
Katrina
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-08 04:03
The Amati has performed, and feels, the exact same way as when I first acquired it.
When I first got my Amati, I had my tech go over it with me being present. The adjustments he made were minor: (1/1 Bb fingering, and the RH Eb/Bb reseating of one pad).
Since the initial service, the horn has needed no maintenance or adjustments, and the pads still seal perfectly. The wood which is densely grained has not chipped or cracked (or would I suspect that it will).
The initial tuning concern I had with the upper altissimo (F, F#, G has been solved with finding appropriate and adaptable fingerings.
As the Amati has a dense, round, slightly covered, "European sound" - I tend to use a trifle softer reed in orchestra to add a little "ping" to the sound.
The workmanship of the instrument still impresses - no lost key motion, or wobble in the tenons.
All in all, this is just the way a pro level clarinet should look and feel after 6 months. Thus, Amati is definitely on the road to being a strong contender, making it now the "Big 5" ...GBK
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-10-08 14:18
Graham is (IMHO) doing a great job trying to break into a tough business and "fill in the gaps" by providing some products and services which are either not available elsewhere, or are low priority to other retailers. He's got a lot of enthusiasm, good ideas, and persistence. I hope he does well, and expect he will!
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Author: RA
Date: 2002-10-09 01:42
Does anyone know of Doug Ghram of the SC symphony? Just wondering and btw I know his last name isn't spelled right.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-10-09 02:42
My warmest wishes to Graham, a new Sneezy-Woodwind.org sponsor with hopes of success in this tough business. I find that good customer service (something missing in the rest of our lives) is much appreciated by the woodwind community. Good products and good service, which we know Graham will deliver, are a long term key to success in any endeavor and will deliver a loyal customer base of even the cost-conscious, quality driven, musicians. Many of us decry the loss of the small local music shop but the internet has given those of us that have the love and enthusiasm, like Graham, the opportunity to survive and fluorish being the virtual small music shop where the customer is known to the owner and treated with mutual respect - one musician to another. Best of luck Graham!
The Doctor
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