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 new clarinet for decent player?
Author: Dsolash 
Date:   2011-09-15 04:07

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum but I am in need of some help! I am looking for a new clarinet but im not too sure where to start. I am a senior in highschool but I play fairly well and am currently using a Selmer CL600 for over 5 years now and I wish to purchase a new clarinet that is atleast a little better than what I have now, the problem being I am pressed for money. I do play in the marching band so a wooden clarinet is out of the question (unless theres a wooden clarinet that can stand up to that). Maximum price is about $500 and I know I will be playing for a while to come but a $1000 instrument isn't possible for me in any way. So basically I am just wondering what would be one of the best clarinets for that price range? It can be barely better than the one I own now because the one I have now is damaged. I have searched all over and I came across the brands Legacy and Vento but I have never heard of them... So I stayed away. I really have no clue where to start considering there are so many clarinets to look at! Thanks for your help :)



Post Edited (2011-09-15 04:22)

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2011-09-15 04:38

You can probably find a good used Yamaha 34 or something similar on the auction site that we're not permitted linkage to (so we don't promote our own auctions).

You can keep the Selmer you have now for marching band and use the wood clarinet indoors. :)

If you get a Yamaha for around $300-$400 you'd probably want to have it adjusted, cleaned, repadded, and/or fixed. That all depends on the state of the instrument. You might find a little left over to fix the plastic clarinet for marching! ;)

Stay away from Legacy & Vento. If you need to replace the plastic with plastic, go for a used Vito, Yamaha YCL 20, or Selmer equivalent. Any used instrument you buy (wood or plastic) you'll want to take to a COMPETENT repair tech for assessment, tweaking, and/or repairs. :)

And ultimately for under $500 your best bet is a used instrument anyway, whether wood or plastic.

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: clarinetguy 2017
Date:   2011-09-15 05:02

If you look around, you can probably find a used Yamaha 450 in your price range.
It really is a nice clarinet for the money. Another possibility would be the Bliss, either the all wood model or the one with the composite body and wood barrel.

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2011-09-15 14:52

Personally I'd recommend the Yamaha over the Bliss. I had a student who recently was shopping for an upgraded instrument and the Bliss was on the bottom of the "pile" after all was said and done. She ended up with a Buffet e11 FWIW, but that's a much more expensive clarinet and she was buying new.

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: SteveG_CT 
Date:   2011-09-15 15:31

You can get a pretty good clarinets for $500 if you are willing to consider used instruments. If you need a good non-wood clarinet for all-purpose use then I would recommend finding yourself a used hard rubber B&H Edgware and having it overhauled. You can usually buy them off of the auction site for <$50 and then an overhaul will probably cost $250-$350. I've had two B&H clarinets (a Bb 2-20 and an Edgware A) overhauled by Dave Spiegelthal and both are excellent players.

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: Jack Kissinger 
Date:   2011-09-15 16:16

For a plastic student model clarinet, check Craig's List (also local pawn shops if you are near any) for a locally available used (Leblanc) Vito (V40 is best), Yamaha (YCL-2x(x)), Buffet B12 or plastic Selmer student model. You can probably find something in pretty good condition for under $150. Take your mouthpiece and try the clarinet out to make sure it plays. Avoid anything that looks like it will need a lot of work.

If you have a local music store that rents instruments for band programs, you may be able to find a used student model from a reputable manufacturer for sale there. Expect to pay a little more but it should be in good playing condition and you have the store to stand behind the sale. If you find a clarinet, make sure you try it out before you take it home.

As far as new clarinets are concerned, even the plastic student models from go for more than $500 these days.

Is your current instrument beyond repair?

Best regards,
jnk

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 Re: new clarinet for decent player?
Author: weberfan 
Date:   2011-09-15 19:27

Dsolash...
Your IP address is Franklin Square, N.Y., which would mean that you're not far from Weiner Music, a reliable source of good woodwind gear, on Jericho Tpke in Mineola. Why not visit and see what they have in stock...used or demo models? Not sure they can help you in your price range, but you might get some helpful guidance. You can also call. The Web site is weinermusic.com

p.s. Weiner's "outlet" store currently shows a used LeBlanc Normandy for $550.



Post Edited (2011-09-15 22:19)

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