 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2002-12-19 12:12
Hi,
One has to scratch ones head at times. The usual tip off is the phrase "I don't know much about clarinets but this one has the sweetest sound."
I really liked the way the lyre was placed on the barrel on one of the clarinets. Almost like a gunsight. "OK kids, aim your sound over here!"
Hank
PS I have purchased five clarinets on eBay during the past two years; four were exceptional values and one went back to the seller. I have sold four, all wonderful clarinets at good prices and have never been asked to refund any money. I think the prose of the ad and the photos are the best guide to value. I would never buy one AS IS unless it was for parts.
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2002-12-19 15:12
I'm pretty sure that everything you buy on eBay is "AS IS."
Best regards,
John Elison
PS. I bought a great Leblanc Model 1187 LL with articulated G# and forked Bb on eBay a couple of months ago. It was originally purchased over 15 years ago and never played. In fact, it still had the upper and lower joints sealed in plastic bags.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2002-12-19 15:23
Hi John,
I really do pass on any used clarinet that does not offer a trial period. If it does not say AS IS I always email the seller about a trail but I have never had one turn me down yet.
But in your case, that was a no-brainer. So, how is the LL, probably great?
I just got a Series 9 on eBay with the G# and forked Bb but I contacted the seller after the unrealistic reserve was not made; he came to his senses and we were able to set a reasonable price for the clarinet. I did insist on 3 days of trials but knew on the first scale with the tuner that this was a player that needed very little adjustment.
Hank
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Author: Vaughn Stroheim
Date: 2002-12-19 16:01
Anyone that would send money to a total stranger for an unplayed instrument that you know nothing about.......what a concept!
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-12-19 16:21
Wow, I may be gaining on you sometime soon. I might need to pick up a decent Bundy sometime (if only I could find one with a $43 overhaul...). My patriotic band played in a Christmas parade a couple of Saturdays ago in Kingsville TX (where I went to college), and I had to use my Signet. I even had to go buy a lyre. Never thought I'd need one of those again.
Funny story: we didn't actually march in the parade, we all rode in the back of our big Army deuce and a half truck. You know how high off the ground those things are. We're all in the back, along with a bunch of friends and family, and we've got flags arrayed down the railings on 5-foot flagpoles. Anyway, we're rolling down the main street honkin' out "Jingle Bells" when one of the flags snags a power line (may have been a phone cable). The driver hits the brakes and all of us in the back go flying forward. We all stayed on our feet, but the funniest part was the sound of the crowd, that collective gasp of horror from a thousand voices thinking it's about to witness something terrible. We unsnare the flagpole (made from PVC so nobody was electrocuted), driver hits the gas, we start playing again and off we went. Nearly two weeks later I'm still laughing over the sound of that crowd.
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Author: Michael Blinn
Date: 2002-12-19 16:57
I purchased a brand-new Leblanc LX 1185S on eBay about six months ago. I won it for the reserve price of $800, but my bid was in for a thousand dollars.
This clarinet is now my pride and joy. I have played in concert many times with it, and I am quite satisfied. The Leblanc is very well made, rugged but responsive, with very good intonation in the clarion and altissimo registers.
There are treasures out there on eBay, but you have to do your homework. Investigate as much as possible before bidding, but don't be afraid to go for it. Trust your instinct. There are a lot of honest sellers out there.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-12-19 17:41
Vaughn Stroheim wrote: "Anyone that would send money to a total stranger for an unplayed instrument that you know nothing about.......what a concept!"
--that's why websites "like this", the man who runs it, the contributing sponsors and 99.5 percent of the folks who sell their horns in the Woodwind.org Classifieds are a valuable and trustworthy source. v/r KEN
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Author: John Elison
Date: 2002-12-19 18:33
Hi Hank,
I really like my new LL. I have played a Pete Fountain model for the past 27 years, and I think I like the LL better. It has a bit more resistance than the Pete Fountain model, but it seems to play just as loud with a better tone. I don't have an electronic tuner, but it sounds just fine to my ear so perhaps it has good intonation, too. Anyway, I'm real happy with my purchase.
I recently sold my Pete Fountain model on eBay, so I only have one clarinet again. I've been thinking of bying another one, but the more I think about it the more I believe that I will only play one instrument, whichever one plays best. So, maybe I will just stick with my new LL for a while. I would like to have a C Clarinet, though.
Best regards,
John Elison
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Author: Henry
Date: 2002-12-19 19:14
I'm sure that there are many horror stories re e-Bay purchases. I've been following Leblanc offerings before and after I bought a LL through them myself. Some LL's have gone for as much as $600 which I think is exhorbitant. Perhaps I was just lucky but I picked one up for just $316 and it is a beauty! I did communicate with the seller beforehand and carefully studied his feedback. There are obviously many excellent buying opportunities on e-Bay as long as one does one's homework and sets a realistic upper limit for one's bid.
Equally good luck to you!
Henry
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-12-21 13:35
Henry,
If the LL is in good condition, $600 is quite a reasonable price for a used pro grade instrument. The only trouble with the auctions is that you can't tell its condition until after you've bought it.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-12-22 14:53
That's why you should never buy from anyone who doesn't offer a money-back option. I've bought and sold over 300 clarinets and clarinet items in the past several years on eBay and have only had a couple of bad experiences. They were both my own fault and actually turned out ok in the end. But, check the feedback and also look for sellers who use an extra insurance policy like Square Trade. You will save money over going to the store.
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