 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: katmom
Date: 2006-01-27 19:34
I was wondering if anyone has played the new Orsi and Weir clarinets. They are supposedly a professional clarinet, with a price tag to match. I would love to know more about how players feel about them and how they stack up to an R-13.
Jeanan
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-01-28 11:12
I've played the Orsi & Weir clarinets. John Weir was at the NAMM show with them. They are definitely pro quality - I felt they were superior to most of the R-13's I've ever played.
Prices are good, and the premium for exotic woods is only 10%. I played an all cocobolo instrument that I absolutely loved.
Gary Armstrong Woodwinds, where I work, will be carrying these. Check the calendar here on woodwind.org regularly, because we'll be doing a product launch in the next two months.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-01-28 17:06
A quick look at the website reveals no prices.
It also appears that they are only producing a Bb. This seems crazy to me. How do they expect to break into the market without professional endorsements? What professional - orchestral professional anyway - is going to switch to them if he can't buy a pair?
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-01-28 17:22
They are indeed producing an A clarinet as well.
I believe some endorsements are in the works as well, though they might just break into the market the old fashioned way - by making good instruments and generating word of mouth.
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Author: bwilber
Date: 2006-01-28 22:12
I have an Orsi and I don't know if it's a professional or not. It's beautiful wood and the keys look like silver but it doesn't look like the ones that are on the web site in that it looks like the traditional clarinets with the 5 pieces and all. Can anyone tell me what I have? Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-28 23:50
Neither site gives much away:
http://www.orsi-wind-instruments.it
http://www.orsiandweir.com/orsiandweir
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Author: katmom
Date: 2006-01-29 03:19
Thanks for your response, Merlin, I'm glad that you have had the chance to play them. I just don't know how you can tell much about intonation at a convention, it is so noisy there. I'm looking forward to sitting down with one in front of a tuner, with my mouthpiece set up. Nice quiet room. No distractions. And compare side by side to the other top horns. Then we'll see.
Plus, I want to find out just how hard the keys are. It will be no good if it is in the shop all the time.
And I don't really care if they have endorsements or not. Lots of those guys just do that so that they can get a free instrument, so it is meaningless. You gotta find out what they actually play on a gig when it counts.
Jeanan
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-01-30 16:41
Despite the mis-count 17-keys/6-rings should be 18-keys/6-rings, at least one Orsi version is standard with a LH Eb lever!
Enough produc breadth to be confusing. Exotic hardwood premium only 3%, A/Bb pair less 5%, and an Effer!
Bob Phillips
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-01-30 19:06
The Orsi and Weir clarinets I played do not have the LH Ab/Eb.
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Author: katmom
Date: 2006-02-20 02:02
Merlin, if you are going to be carrying these, you had better be prepared to do a lot of work to them before you sell them. I took a good look at them at our recent convention. While the wood was beautiful, the action was extremely loose, as bad as on a cheap import, and the one I tested wouldn't even hold a vacuum. You would have thought that they would prepare them better for a convention where clarinet players would be testing them out.
So, I guess I am sorry I asked about them!
Jeanan
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Author: jgarzatx
Date: 2006-02-21 03:15
I was just at the annual TMEA show in San Antonio. I had a good 30 minute chat with both John and Patti Weir, as well as a nice opportunity to give their instruments a go. Here's what I thought:
1. Definitely liked the American taper to the European. I also was trying these intstruments out in a convention hall, but it was the smaller of the two TMEA had this year. The response from the American taper seemed evident from the get go, where as the European seemed to give a little resistance. Of the barrel styles offered, I also liked the A1 the best as it seemed to be less restrictive of the air flow between the mouthpiece and body.
2. Tuning was difficult to judge, being in an exhibit hall, but the notes seemed to flow easily and smoothly from bottom to top.
3. After talking to Patti, I was pleased about the options they are making available. As noted, some Orsi clarinets have the LH/Eb lever, whereas others do not. I was informed that this is going to be a "by request" option. After talking with many clarinetists Patti said most preferred to either not have the extra key, or have it be an option. I was also told the Eb lever would be a no cost option when requested. I also liked that the wood is left unstained. I loved the way the instruments jumped out (much like other makers have been doing). Also Patti said that if a custom taper was wanted (such as from a blown out or non-functioning barrel of old) that it could be made to match the clarinet.
4. I didn't notice so many differences in the bell tapers, however I am interested in experimenting with these as well.
5. There is an A clarinet in development. Patti had a "work in progress" model that she let me play on to get an opinion on the feel of the instrument. What I tested seemed rough, unfinished, but well on the way to a great instrument. I'll be anxious to try one of their A models when they are finished.
6. Lastly: I have a set of Buffet Vintages that I LOVE to play on, and in my mind/ear, the American taper Orsi played about equal to my Vintage Bb. The keywork was right on par with some of the better clarinets I've tried, and it felt basically like I was holding my own clarinet in my hands. Very comfortable and enjoyable.
My two (or six) cents.
JGarza
Just another clarinet teacher in TX, anyone need an assistant band director? ;-)
Affiliated with: TMEA, MENC, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity
Interim Clarinet Teacher: La Joya High School
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