 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-26 09:38
In regards to my choices , I have been in my local music shop you have a professionally overhauled bundy for 225 pounds I can rent it for 75 and then after 3 months purchase in full and get the 75 towards it or use the 75 towards a buffet b12
I have seen a vito on ebay for 80 pounds
After further enquiries the guy said he had serviced it and plays beautifully
when I questioned his credentials he took a bit of offence and said he had been servicing clarinets for 40 years blah blah assured me it is in full working order ( although it did baffle me as to why he hadn't made a point of this in his description
Which would be better for a beginner ? I think I heard the vito is easier to play for a beginner I like the idea of the back up from my shop but the bundy seems awfully steep at 225 but I guess I am payng for the recent service
Are the bundys ok for beginners ? anyone had experience playing both models ?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-08-26 12:07
Hi,
Either would be a good place to start. The Bundy is a time-tested design that has started uncounted clarinettists on their was, and so is the Vito. Truly, it is almost impossible to choose between them. it comes down to preference. Personally I would choose the Vito, as the ergonomics suit my large hands better. The quoted price for a Bundy, even an overhauled example, is to my thinking well above what i would expect to pay for one. The Vito looks to be the better buy, as even if it needs some work you'll very likely still come out ahead.
Tony F.
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-08-26 12:46
My recommendation is to find a teacher and work with him or her on finding a good instrument. A teacher has the experience and skill to validate any claims regarding the condition and quality of an instrument and can give you a qualified answer if a deal is good or bad. Even if it costs more, it is worth it.
I have no idea of the shop you went to but I know of a local technician that have been doing very poor work for decades, charges through the roof and makes a living of the uninformed that are easily impressed by certificates hanging on the walls of his shop, so self-praise is immaterial. Another tech i knew of had no credentials, worked in a nook that resembled a shoemaker's corner, had a weird attitude (but positive on the whole) and was the best guy in town.
I'd stay away from ebay, unless the seller has an explicit return policy, and you have the time and energy for the case you'd be shipping it back. Time and frustration have a cost, in my opinion buying an instrument that needs repair off the batt makes little sense, unless you know *exactly* what you are getting.
The only people I know who buy fixer-upper cars are those who are skilled enough to fix them or accurately asses the cost of repair. The same logic applies to musical instruments or any other item for that matter.
Post Edited (2014-08-26 12:47)
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Author: William
Date: 2014-08-26 18:23
I am a clarinetist with 40 yrs experience teaching young students using all makes of plastic clarinet--mostly Vito & Bundy, with a few "clarinet shaped objects" as well--and have had students so well on either the V or the B. My preference is for the vintage Bundy Resonite, made by Selmer, simply because that was my first clarinet and I had so success with it. Bundy, btw, is my preferred choice for plastic bass and Eb soprano's as well. You will never feel as if you made a mistake buying a Selmer made Bundy clarinet.
However, if you should have the opportunity to audition a student Yamaha, I would urge you to do so. They are also very user friendly with key work made for all size of hands--especially the little finger placements.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-08-26 20:34
Assuming we're talking about the most common Bundy (1400) and Vito (7212/7214) here, the differences between the two are not especially significant.
The older Bundy 1400, with a shiny black body, can really sound excellent with a good mouthpiece. The Vito, on the other hand, has keys that are more ergonomic and much less prone to bending than the Bundy.
Keep in mind that the Bundy design dates from the 1940s, while the Vitos were engineered in the 1950s. The current Buffet B12 and Yamaha YCL-250/255 are much more modern designs and, frankly, may satisfy you for many more years than any Bundy or Vito would.
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-26 23:01
thanks for all your replies I have purchased a reconditioned buffet b12
has been stripped down and serviced and in top working order and no I didn't get it off ebay !!
so the indecision has been put to bed looking forward to my first lesson on Monday I am on annual leave next week so no doubt there will be plenty of rasping and squealing noises emitting from my house next week 8-)
mark
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