 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-26 06:19
hello everyone. I've been lurking on this board for like a week now and decided to go ahead and post my question, and risk the huge amount of replies. hey, I've got nothing but time.
Ok, I'm a 24 year old guy, I've always wanted to play clarinet but just never did. I already read music quite proficiently and play a ridiculous multitude of instruments. trumpet, trombone, baritone, alto sax, tenor sax, french horn, percussion etc... but I digress. Anyway, I decided to buy a cheap clarinet from ebay to learn a bit on. Much to my surprise when my Bundy 577 came, I could play 5 notes on it, and no more. It sounds super airy and I assume it needs repadded in a serious way. I'd like to find a good quality clarinet for like $220 or less, probably ABS because I like to play my instruments on the porch in the winter time (I know, I'm nuts. It DOES get cold in Northwest Indiana in winter) What would you suggest would be best for me? I'm certainly no amateur, and I figure I'll be able to pick it up pretty quick. Is there any certain model that would best suit me, and does anyone know where I could find it in my price range and have the piece of mind of KNOWING it's gonna work when i get it. Like someone here selling one or something. Well, I guess I've wasted enough of everyone's time, and I'll go ahead and post this and wait to see what y'all have to say.
Joebob
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-26 08:20
Anyone know anything about this one?
http://www7.mailordercentral.com/frederichweinerinc/prodinfo.asp?number=IW1
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-26 10:03
What about spending the money on having your Bundy overhauled? I know it'll probably cost more than what you paid for it (as the repair costs are not based on the value of the instrument, no matter how much or little it cost), but that's just one of those things.
The cost of an overhaul may be less than the cost of a brand new plastic clarinet of the same quality, so you have to weigh it up like that, and it should play every bit as good as (or maybe better) than a brand new one.
And as for this one: http://www7.mailordercentral.com/frederichweinerinc/prodinfo.asp?number=IW1 your Bundy is a far better clarinet all round.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-10-26 13:20
Usually, $220 can get you a moderate repad in a local music store. It won't be 'the works', but it will play.
Try to get them put in (synthetic) Valentino 'Greenback' pads as these will outlast natural pads- especially for your intended usage.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2008-10-26 14:55
Overhauling the Bundy is a good idea.
If for any reason that isn't cost-effective, you can probably get a good Yamaha YCL-20 on the auction site. Being careful to choose the right seller, I got a wonderful horn for a young player for $150. Ready to play.
The model 20 is the earlier version of the current YCL-250, which is also a very good instrument but will cost you---used and in good shape--closer to $300.
Post Edited (2008-10-26 19:57)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-10-26 16:53
Weiner is a reputable store and Mark has a very good reputation as a repair tech. This sounds to me like a similar proposition to Tom Ridenour's -- instruments made overseas (Ridenour's are made in China) then inspected by their US seller to insure playability. The difference is that Ridenour, who has considerable experience as a designer, has the Chinese factory manufacture his clarinets to his specifications and he sets a higher selling price. If you decide to go the Weiner route, they will likely let you try one on approval. You might want to ask where they are manufactured and whether they are plastic or hard rubber.
I wouldn't do a full overhaul on the Bundy. To me that's overkill and the resale value of the instrument you have when you're done will almost certainly be less than the cost of the overhaul. If you have a good repair department locally, take it to them and ask what it will cost to put the instrument in "good playing condition." In that case, instead of a complete overhaul, they will simply repair/replace what needs repairing/replacing. If the estimate is much over $100, I would look for another instrument.
On eBay, you shouldn't have to pay more than $150 for a used Yamaha student model and you may be able to get one for considerably less. Of course there are exceptions but, with regard to eBay, generally speaking, the older the instrument you buy, the more work it will need.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-26 17:08
In my town there is only one music store. They said it would cost at LEAST $170 to repair my Bundy. I've heard a lot of good things about the yahama 20 and am watching a few on ebay, just a littler nervous after having been just recently ripped off. So would the Yamaha be the best choice for someone in my situation?
Joe
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-10-26 17:21
Check out some used Ridenour TR 147 models on that auction site, too. They are decent horns, a few generations prior to Tom's current offerings in the Lyrique line. You can see his current instruments at http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/clarinets.htm. Tom is an excellent designer, and one of these TR-147 models in good shape should be an excellent instrument for you. You can find them in your price range quite easily.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-26 17:46
Is there any major difference in the TR 147 and the Lyrique? I've done a little reading, and I'm convinced that this guy really cares about people having a nice instrument for a good price.
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Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-10-26 17:54
You "can play 5 notes on it and no more".
Which 5 notes?
Just one leaking pad could have that effect. Why not work out what's really wrong with it before junking it?
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-26 20:59
Would $140 + $15 shipping be a good price to pay for a ridenour 147 in very good playing condition?
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-10-26 23:58
Assuming it didn't need additional work, it would be a good deal.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2008-10-27 00:15
Clarinets that come to you in the mail are almost always going to need some work, even if advertised as in playing condition. Especially if bought thru ebay.
A Bundy 577 is not a bad clarinet. Get it overhauled, unless it has something wrong with it. I'm not sure why they would tell you it'll be "at least" $170. An overhaul shouldn't come with an open-ended price tag, unless the instrument has serious problems that can only be diagnosed 'under the knife'.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-10-27 01:07
A friend of mine is in charge of a school program that provides instrumental lessons for disadvantaged kids. They also often provide the instruments. A few weeks ago, she called me and asked if I could get a clarinet for her. Since I'd heard good things about the TR 147's available for sale on eBay from a certain pawn shop and since she didn't have much to spend, I bought one of them. They are also advertised as having been inspected and in "good playing condition."
When it arrived, the one I bought was unplayable. There were three badly bent keys on the upper joint and one on the lower joint -- the throat A was so badly bent it wouldn't move. So much for the "inspection"? In the end, I had to straighten the keys, replace a pad, re-seat three or four other pads (they used the brown Valentino pads, BTW), replace a missing needle spring and a few bumper corks to put it in real playing condition.
When it was done, I was impressed with the way it plays -- even scale, good intonation. The kid that gets it will be off to a decent start. Also I'm sure this instrument, which I purchased third hand and which had obviously been used and possibly abused since it left Tom Ridenour's shop, is not representative of instruments purchased directly from (and set up by) him -- at least I certainly hope it isn't.
Nonetheless I am not impressed with the general quality of construction. The key metal on the one I had is, IMO, unacceptably soft and prone to bend out of adjustment. The pads used were a size too small for the pad cups. Even though I still consider it a decent buy for the price I paid, I would be cautious about buying these instruments in used condition unless you have the ability to fix them up, yourself.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2008-10-27 01:12
I started on a Vito, and that worked really well for me for 6 years. There's usually quite a few of them on ebay, very cheap ($20-$100), so I would go with one of those.
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-27 02:00
the one I'm looking at is sold by a "store" that specifically sells clarinets. They also offer a 100% money back guarantee.
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-27 03:33
can anyone review the Vito 7214 for me? I may be able to get one at like $150 less than a year old, and barely used.
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Author: aguynamedjoebob
Date: 2008-10-27 23:33
Just wanted to update anyone who's interested. I got a Vito by LeBlanc 7214. It's less than a year old, and looks like it had barely been touched. I can already play it, and even managed a couple songs by ear! I'm extremely happy Thank you to everyone here who game me advice. I got this clarinet for $150.
Joe
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