 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2001-08-31 14:19
It's been some months since I checked out ebay, but I broke down and did so this morning. It seems to me that there isn't quite as much action in the high end category as say seven or eight months ago. Is it my imagination or could this development be a reflection the overall downturn in the economy? If so, could this translate into lower retail prices? I'd be interested to hear what others think.
Brian
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-31 14:58
No, not at all. I think you simply picked a (very) slow time at eBay. It's LABOR DAY. The Trader's on Wall Street started leaving late Wednesday for THE WEEKEND. IMO, I think you will find more (& better quality) activity in the weeks to come. Pro instruments cheaper? (we have 11 R-13's ready to hit eBay) They''ve been dirt cheap for a long time, and any manufacturer's price increases have NOT effected STREET prices. In fact, the competition to buy good quality horns will only INCREASE short-term prices. You want FEBRUARY, not September. Many of the woodwind dealers (buyer & sellers) on eBay converse with one another. mw
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Author: KenAbbott
Date: 2001-09-01 01:08
I have purchased many horns on Ebay over the last three and one half years and see just as many high horns out there now as ever.
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2001-09-01 03:31
This is back to school time, when there is a huge market for beginner instruments. Of course in about three months when some quit the band .....
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-01 05:56
Mike, yes that is correct. Many parents don't take immediate action as they are still paying --- of course, rentals are returned and some purchased horns are returned, too. mw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-09-01 15:49
A few months ago the high-dollar clarinets were not bringing good prices, so some of the dealers (myself included) removed their instruments. I lost a ton of money on an almost new Leblanc Symphonie VII (it was 6 mos. old) and tried to sell a new R-13 for my cost and ended up selling it to a fellow Sneezy off the classifieds. I thought about running my almost new Buffet Festival but have decided to just keep it for now because I don't want to take another huge financial "hit" off eBay. It is too sweet an instrument for that.
But for those who have instruments they were able to purchase at really good prices and can afford to resell on eBay, they'll be around. Ask mw for his "id" and watch for those R-13s.
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2001-09-01 17:40
Right now there is a nickel plated R-13 (lightly used demo.) listed at $1595, no reserve. That is about as low a price as I have seen in a long, long time and surprisingly no one is biting. Whoever is selling it is obviosly not expecting to clear much.
On the supply side of the question, I wonder what inventories at Buffet, Leblanc and Selmer are looking like these days?
Brian
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-01 23:23
Is this the auction ? :
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1461467881#DESC
If so, I'd offer a comment or 2.
1st --- Seller's auction credentials are quite exemplary. This guy is an Eagle Scoutt. Many hundreds of auctions (if you see that many posted --- half again were not). No _negative_ feedback. More than likely, this means they bend over backwards to make it right.
2nd --- the decription of the R-13 isn't explained fully (or could be incorrect, unless it's a different model in the pro line or there is a mistake or there is a combination of a mistake & an upgrade that someone ordered or paid for --- don't know ask question firsthand of the seller).
To wit:
Buffet says that the following are the features of the R-13:
"Key Bb, A and Eb clarinets, Pitch A 440, carefully selected grenadilla wood, Power forged keywork, preplated in copper and finished in silver plate, 17 keys and 6 rings, Poly-cyndrical bore, & Double fish skin pads".
Compare that to the Elite:
"Bb and A soprano clarinets, Pitch A 440/442, Carefully selected, unstained grenadilla wood, Bb has 18 keys and 6 rings, A has 17 keys and 6 rings, Silver-plated keywork, gold-plated posts, Correction key E-F low, Poly-cyndrical bore
Thin walled body, Polycarbonate fibre reinforced tenons, Pads with resonators.
Compare that to the RC Prestige :
"Key Bb and A, Pitch A 440 / 442, Carefully selected, unstained grenadilla wood,
Bore: Upper joint Poly-cyndrical, lower joint and bell conical Poly-cylindric bore,
Power forged silver keywork, preplated in copper and finished in silver plate, 18 keys and 6 rings (Auxiliary Eb lever), Undercut toneholes, Stainless steel rods and pivot screws, Blue needle springs, & GORE-TEX ® pads".
NOW, if we revisit the eBay auction desription we can note Goretex (upgrade of?) Pads, and the Elite tenons w/special carbon fibres. I would verify the description, model #, etc. Let's not get Valentino Pads mixed up with Gortex pads (not that this is what is happening) -- Gortex is a great upgrade from standard 2X fishskin pads, IMO.
Finally, I would assume this Clarinet has the PLATINUM SERVICE & Buffet Warranty. I would check out the one-year extended warranty to see who it's from, etc. [ "This instrument includes a FREE one-year Extended Service Plan which covers most of the things that really happen to an instrument. Follow the link for more details." ]
best,
mw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-09-03 14:40
I've bought stuff from the Instrumentguy before. He's very nice and his staff is quite professional. You can email him, or call him and he'll sell you one over the phone without going through the bidding process for the same price.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-03 15:33
Brenda, as I stated he has IMPECCABLE "online" credentials. He has had to meet a "crazie" or 2 along the way & it's quite obvious that he bends over backwards --- see the feedback file. BUT, I only question HERE (aka the referenced auction above) the description .... sounds like a Buffet Elite Model with Gortex pads. Everyone is prone to mistakes, and more than one Tuba player sells Clarinets !
best,
mw
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Author: HAT
Date: 2001-09-05 04:10
New Buffet R-13s at WW&BW are $1595
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-05 05:09
Correct, but that's the price this fellow is selling for. I can assure you that WW&BW does NOT have an eBay Feedback file that compares to this gents. I once received a horn from WW&BW w/a cracked lower tenon. On eBay that gets you a *NEG*. Besides you gotta pay NY sales tax on WW&BW.  mw
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Author: HAT
Date: 2001-09-05 17:15
You can also go to the WW&BW in person and try many horns.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-05 19:42
Oh sure, I agree. Being a native NY'er ... I could fly home, see the folks, take the LIRR to Jamaica & change trains, & finally make it over to WW&BW. NOT! I send airplane tickets to the Family & avoid "contact". (I can stay in Vegas longer than I can stay in NY - I get the Times delivered, thanks!) <grin>
Actually, it's way easier to have a pro pick some horns out & ship 'em to you. With your NY or the IN sales tax included, I come out ahead. Way less stress. Somebody else picks out 2 or 3 excellent horns & voile! The only thing missing is Brannen service & G Smith products all at the same time! (it used to be available actually, but is no longer offered by IMS)
best,
mw
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-09-06 06:53
Actually I do provide this sevice through IMS. One would end up with a horn as similar to my own as possible with the Brannenizing and a custom fitted chadash barrel and a selection of my mouthpieces (optional) already included.
Just a point of clarification....if this is what you were talking about.
G. Smith
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-06 16:23
Gre, it was what I was talking about (so I'm confused as I did inquire). It's also true that the advertising in the IMS catalogue in question had changed, which was WHY I had asked (as opposed to ordering). Thanks for the clarification. mw
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