 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: equi47
Date: 2005-11-12 12:12
Well, my new Hanson rosewood T6 is here! And since there is not yet a review on the BB for this clarinet, I'm going to try to provide a unbiased, well-rounded review. I tried to remain a neutral as possible and just provide the facts, however, I'm sure my feelings are slipping through the text in some points. Please also pardon any use of incorrect technical terminology...
First Impressions:
The clarinet came packaged in a compact black, very well padded case. The case fits the clarinet beautifully with a little extra room on the inside for storage (extra mouthpiece, lig, few reeds, and corkgrease). Outside is a small zippered pocket for a swab, the over-the-shoulder strap, etc.
The rosewood and silver keywork were more beautiful than I imagined and for awhile I could just stare at it. LOL!
Included with the clarinet was:
A Vandoren 5RV 88 series mouthpiece colored throughout with a redwood-look swirl (This was a particular benefit to me, since come to find out, upon assembly, my CSO barrel had squished the cork on my 5RV lyre so badly that the mouthpiece was not a tight fit in the Hanson. I'll have this recorked after the break-in period is up on the T6).
Also included was a silver Vandoren Optimum lig w/ plates, 2 Vandoren traditional reeds, corkgrease, swab, pencil, mouthpiece cap, Optimum lig literature, customer service card & info from the Hanson company. I really did not expect a great mouthpiece or a new lig to try with this clarinet. IMO, most people who buy advanced/pro level instruments already have a setup they like anyhow. Great bonus!
Technical aspects:
Silver plated keywork- The left and right pinky keywork is very smooth.
The left pinky keys have rollers on the end. Register key is nicely placed and shaped. Thumb rest is wide and adjustable. The e-flat and trill keys do not have too much slack/play (This is a pet peeve of mine). I experienced no clicking or clacking, metal rubbing, etc. The finger tone hole keywork is very slightly rounded with a nice, solid feel to them.
Normal pin-type springs are great (no flat springs). The barrel is slightly shaped/curved like J-Lo (narrower at top, wider towards the bottom). Wood throughout the clarinet is straight grained, glass-smooth inside and out. The bell is ringless and has a thumb-wide smoothly-notched groove around the inside (just under where the LJ tenon slips in). All cork was in shape and well-fitted. Upper and lower joints have metal "endcaps" on them (I suppose this is to help moisture problems?), the "endcaps" start at the base of the cork on each joint and wraps the end, inside and outside a bit. The pads on mine are a dark orange (I know that some are yellow) and not too soft (I.e. You do not feel like you have to mash the keys down to close them). The C#/G# & register key have cork pads.
Playability:
Setup- Since I didn't want to try too many new things at once, I tried to use my 5RV lyre MP (see above on why not), however quickly switched to the new 5RV 88. I did however not try the new Optimum lig yet. So I played with: T6 clarinet as delivered, 5RV MP, 2.5 Vandoren reed, and a Rovner dark lig. Clarinet assembled smoothly after I finished gawking at it for an hour.
Tone- Warm, rich, sweet tone- like a good wine and cheese combo. Much more expression and "presence" than my CSO and previous Vito. Tone was consistent throughout the registers. Played well from pp to ff.
Playing- Easy to play! I pretty much had to *think* the notes and out they came! I did not have to work at the altissimo or the lower notes.
Tuning was spot-on throughout and I verified with a tuner. After a few weeks go by and (I usually play alone) try it with a group, I'll report back on how it does. I have mainly only played scales and technical exercises to check register jumps, intonation, keywork ease, etc.
Overall- I highly recommend this instrument and the Hanson company.
Their customer service was helpful, prompt, and always ready to answer my phone calls or emails. The warranty is also a nice benefit, although I am sure that I will have repair work performed here in states to prevent shipping unneccessarily.
Background and My Considerations/Requirements:
Before purchasing the Hanson T6, I tried several R13's (ten, I believe), a used student Vito, two E11's (one new, one used), and three E13's. Each time I took along some slightly musical and non-musical friends for opinions on sound.
I just simply did not get along with the R13's. I know I may not have tried enough but the keywork just did not agree with me or my fingers.
I also was a bit hesitant on the tone. Didn't sound as rich and full as I like. I did like the E11 and the E13's quite well, but was again concerned with how my ear would like it down the road. I also did not want to buy another instrument in a year or two when I was ready to move up again.
Further requirements were- wood, great warm tone, free blowing, and exceptional keywork.
On a personal note, I had been eyeing the Hanson's for about a year and a half now. I am not a person who 'goes with the masses' and that also played a part in my selection. I was not ready to blend and buy a Big-4.
So there's my review. I welcome any questions on the clarinet or my review. If I left out a pertinent piece of technical information that you would like to know, please email me or post on the BB and I will respond.
Cheers,
Jami
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-12 12:31
> Overall- I highly recommend this instrument and the Hanson company.
> Their customer service was helpful, prompt, and always ready to answer my
> phone calls or emails.
Then you had better luck than I did - I inquired about one of the student models and got no reply since (it's over a week now).
Maybe students are lesser customers, who knows...
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-11-12 14:04
equi47 wrote:
> The barrel is slightly shaped/curved like J-Lo
> (narrower at top, wider towards the bottom).
Priceless ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
BTW - What was the total cost of the clarinet?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-12 14:18
I'd not sure I understood something, you ordered it from England to the USA without trying it? Just ordered one clarinet, right?
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-11-12 14:18
What I really want to know is if anybody has tried their titanium horn.
GBK, web price for the T6-R is £2049
Cheers,
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: joannew
Date: 2005-11-12 18:12
What I'd like to know is what is the "bithermal reinforced grenadilla" they use on the T-7 model.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-12 18:37
> "bithermal reinforced grenadilla"
Sounds like a fine code name for christmas cookies with an, er, interesting recipe. ;-)
--
Ben
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-11-12 20:04
Thanks for the review. I'm so glad that you are happy with your Hanson rosey!
how about a photo.
When I get really, really good, maybe I'll get a horn that draws stares.
Bob Phillips
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Author: English Rose
Date: 2005-11-22 09:06
It's basically like the greenline buffet, a combination of grenadilla wood and some binding substance! I played one, was perfectly in tune throughout but I didn't like the sound so much, it was a bit bright for me. I have since tried the rosewood and the grenadilla T6's and just can't decide as they are both fab!
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2011-09-06 21:40
Really interested to read your review. I've got an 11 year old Leblanc Opus, but I'm drooling over a T6 rosewood. English Rose, how did you find the sound of the rosewood compared to the grenadilla one - is there much difference? I probably wouldn't notice if it sounded awful, just because it's so pretty...
I bought the Hanson intermediate alto sax (SA5) for £275 a few years ago (ex display model) and it sounds lovely - just as good as an equivalent yamaha that would cost about 4 times as much. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
Also....has anyone ever tried a T7...?
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