 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2005-12-02 22:12
I'm a freshman in high school and i've been playing clarinet in school since 7th grade. i play a selmer 1400 clarinet with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and Vandoren 4 reeds. Lately i've wanted to step up to a wood clarinet since my band director reccomends it considering im 3rd chair out of the whole clarinet section(includes 70 or so clarinets) and 15th overall in the band. I went to the music store and initially i wanted at Selmer CL211 but they didnt have that in stock so i tested out a buffet e11. to me it sounded great and better than my s-1400. i didnt get to test the leblanc because of time issues but i have a tight budget of aroun $1200. whats the best clarinet i can get for that price that will do me good?
-Melvs
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-12-02 23:44
A second hand pro Selmer Paris (Centered Tone, Series 9, 10, 10S, 10G), pro Buffet (R13 or RC) or pro Leblanc (LL, L27, LX, Dymanic H, etc.) can be bought for within $1200. If they're much less and you have enough left over, then the remainder can be spent on an overhaul to get it playing in top form.
And these will last you a lot longer than an E11 or a Selmer USA clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-12-02 23:46)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-03 01:24
I would go used horns too. I try to keep budgets at a minimum, and I've been very happy with used horns.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-12-03 10:19
You could find a nice Buffet R13, second hand for around $1200 USD.
(It should have a fresh overhaul.)
These tend to hold their resale value more than other brands and models.
I play a hard rubber Ridenour TR-147 which can be had for less than $200 in good condition on eBay. These are VERY similar to the leBlanc Opus and Concerto models - with a durable hard rubber body.
There are tremendous bargains avaialble in the classified section of this board.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-03 11:03
If you do get a preowned Clarinet, take it to a repair tech before your return possibility is over, or you may end up spending hundreds on fixing worn out keywork. Blown out or not, worn keywork is not debatable. Also, having the tech disassemble the instrument can show you that there aren't any hidden problems with the Clarinet that aren't easily seen without taking off the keys.
Don't go with an E-11. It may sound great compared to a lesser horn, but it's no R-13 at all.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-03 14:51
Charlesfail.com
He is a superior repairman and has sold me a ~1928 Selmer A and a ~1960 Leblanc Bass. Each one in fine condition. Vintage horns play wonderfully.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-12-03 16:06
A good used Buffet R-13 is always a good buy and you can generally find one for your budget. Try reputable sellers on eBay. There are some. And, no, I don't have any right now so I don't mean me.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2005-12-03 16:19
I'd also suggest going with a used clarinet. No matter where you go, don't be afraid to send it back if you don't like it, or there are hidden problems.
A good used professional clarinet from any of the makers you mention will get you through High School and probably most of college, and can then become a backup when you upgrade (but you'll probably want an A before upgrading your Bb).
The fellow that sits beside me in the community band is pushing 80 years old and still playing. His instruments are an A & Bb Buffet set he bought (used) in the 1940s. They sound great.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-12-03 17:39
Used Leblanc Paris clarinets usually have astonishingly good intonation and can often be found at very low prices. They are also very nice to look at. My wife uses a Leblanc Paris as a backup to her Buffet R-13 Festival. The difference in sound is not noticable to most audiences, if any and the price difference was $1000 more for the Festival.
The Leblanc cost $600 and we put another $100 into tweaking it at the repair shop. Since it came from the now defunct Leblanc museum, the instrument does not look like it has ever been used. (Okay, that was just bragging. ;o)
Have you talked to your band teacher about used clarinets? Sometimes they know of a good deal somewhere. You won't get a new clarinet for these prices. You could also find an instructor who likes to look for instruments to give you some assistance. One of my friends who plays flute and sax is looking for a used clarinet and he came and spend over an hour trying ours and talking about what to look for when buying used.
If you buy off eBay, you will probably have pay to have the instrument tweaked. I always have except for instruments I've bought from music dealers. But I have always called the seller on phone and if the person is selling an instrument but is not a musician, I tend to shy away from these purchases unless I'm willing to shell out for a complete overhaul.
Jim & Suzy
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: ghuba
Date: 2005-12-03 20:43
Actually, most of the professional models mentioned -- many in very good cosmetic and playing condition -- PLUS the cost of typical professional overhaul will sell for less than $1200 if you are careful. Sometimes very good ones plus a full overhaul sell for MUCH less than than $1200.
On the major auction site, many individuals advertise that they are selling a horn that has been recently professional overhauled. This particular claim is one that you should be skeptical about -- frequently the "overhauls" are not what they claim to be. If I had a maximum budget for a fully functional instrument, i would always tend to assume I had to do a full overhaul at a cost of about $350 or so.
George
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2005-12-05 08:16
Dangerous heading for a post, SVClarinet09! Some people have very strong views!...
I played Buffet E11 for years but recently upgraded to an entry-level wooden Selmer Paris called the 'Prologue II'. I remember it was very reasonably priced compared to something like an R13, and might be within your price range.
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Author: Kchui999
Date: 2005-12-06 02:00
In my opinion, older clarinets in good condition actually sound better than new ones. A major factor is the wood. All the quality wood is used in the older clarinets. Im a 3-year california high school all state junior playing on a selmer series 10G that i got off of ebay for about $700. I took it to a tech right when i got it, and everything checked out perfectly. Ive been playing it for 3 years now and it sounds wonderful. Ive tried plenty of new pro horns (selmer sig, recital, buffet R13, rc, prestige, leblanc concerto, opus, etc), but all of them are wayyy overpriced and sound just as good as my 10G.
If you're planning on looking at used horns on ebay i suggest you be extremely careful. Look particularly for cracks in the wood and key wear. Any instrument tech will be able to spot them right away. Dont be afraid to ask questions, too.
As far as brand names go, all three are excellent. The old Buffet evettes and pre R13's rock if you can get one in good condition.
Dont forget a mouthpiece. If ur gonna step up to a pro horn, you need a quality mp. search for past threads on the mouthpiece subject, you'll get plenty of information.
Good luck with your clarinet search
-Chui
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-06 12:53
--------------------------
Ive tried plenty of new pro horns (selmer sig, recital, buffet R13, rc, prestige, leblanc concerto, opus, etc), but all of them are wayyy overpriced and sound just as good as my 10G.
--------------------------
Then that 10G is for you........
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-12-07 00:00
Dear SV; You have the Selmer USA B1400, a bad clarinet, molded undrilled and unstraight bore, and straight unstraight tone holes. Get a good plastic clarinet too, even if you are resolved for the wood. How about Leblanc's Vito in the polycylindrical small bore or something else from them. For craftsmanship check the mechanism's pivot screws with the conical tips that have to be hand-adjusted to prevent play in the mechanism. I am very happy with my sound as I can say without bragging: I just used to be a real shopper. A Vito owner, Ken
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