 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jaydee2167
Date: 2008-03-27 16:01
I don't get it!! Where are those places that let you try them out, let you get bunches of them first???
Here in Everett, WA, you are supposed to know what you want-- you ask for it, pay for it.
I tried getting four mpcs to try to find the best one... NO return!!!
Germs, wear, toothmarks -- every excuse to prevent return....
I still have the HS* I got with the flea-market b-flat. It works for me, so I guess I'll stick with it..
Jaydee
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2008-03-27 16:14
Most of the online store have trial policies e.g. from Muncy website:
"You may try up to 3 instruments, mouthpieces & barrels on a 14 day trial basis."
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-03-27 16:27
Jaydee,
Muncy Winds, WWBW, and Weiner music will all accomodate you. These stores are just a few. You will pay a restock fee when you return the items (for cleaning, processing, etc). Each store's fee is different but reasonable.
You should contact these stores by phone and inquire about their policies. At least one of the above has always only charged me for one (of three) mouthpieces during the trial period.
My local Music&Arts will as well...but they have so little of what I'd recommend.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: William
Date: 2008-03-27 19:03
As for custom mouthpieces, I can--from personal satisfactory experiance--recommend either Gregory Smith or Walter Grabner for their "try before buy" accomodations and the suprub quality of their mouthpieces. You will find contact information for both in the *mothpieces & barrels* section of this website. However, the Selmer HS* mpc that you mentioned was likely made from old, quality material and some of them are as good as any on today's market. Best advice with any piece of equipement is: if it plays good, it is good. You must be the judge.
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Author: jaydee2167
Date: 2008-03-27 23:48
Many thanks to William, et al, for their input. I will try them, and follow-up on the ideas.
I never thought about local health laws!!!
jaydee
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-03-28 01:57
Royal Music, a local store in the northern Detroit suburbs will allow you to try as many mouthpieces as you want in one of their practice/lesson rooms. You can't take them out of the store with you, but you can try them at the store.
Both Ted Lane and Walter Grabner have shipped me several mouthpieces at once for me to try out. They are very reasonable on their trial policies, as is Gregory Smith. Grabner and Smith are both sponsors of this board. Check their websites for more info on their trial programs.
Right at this moment, my daughter is auditioning 4 Vandoren B44 Eb soprano mouthpieces courtesy of the WWBW trial policy. We will pick the best one and ship the rest back, just like we did with the Vandoren M13 pieces she tried a couple of years back for her Bb and A clarinets.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: BrianM
Date: 2008-03-28 03:16
The best place in the area for you is going to be the Lynnwood branch of Kennelly Keys Music. (Where I currently work) Our selection isn't spectacular, but it's definitely way better than any other store in the state, and we're improving our selection of all our woodwind stuff this year. If you want to give me a call on Saturday at the store I can go over with you what we have, and what our trial policies are, etc. The number is 425-771-7020. Just ask for Brian. I'll see what I can do to help you out.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-03-28 05:18
order a greg smith kaspar or chedeville 1+ and you won't have to return it. they're just great mouthpieces you won't want to.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: cnick
Date: 2008-03-28 14:21
I was wondering the same thing myself: Just where is this Magic Clarinet Fairy World with rows upon rows of clarinets that you can try out? Here in MN, there is maybe one store that carries more than a handful of clarinets at all. And if you don't want to suffer from sticker shock (oh, those jacked-up prices!), you have to play Used Clarinet Roulette.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-03-28 14:36
For clarinets-- there are Forte, Ridenour, Aldino, and probably many others which provide generous trial periods. Some retailers will send several clarinets for trial, but I have usually found but one of the several to be unculled. Lisa and others have stocks of instruments. If cost is not a major consideration , one can try many and pick out a new one at the factory.
richard smith
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-03-28 14:43
Walter Grabner will send you clarinets to try out. My daughter benefited from having a couple of R13 A clarinets shipped here right after Christmas, and then she and her teacher picked a really sweet one from the ones Walter had sent us.
you can find Walter at www.clarinetxpress.com. He's great to work with. I also have one of kis K13 mouthpieces , which i dearly love.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2008-03-28 14:44)
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Author: redwine
Date: 2008-03-28 15:42
Hello,
I just googled Everett, Wa. It appears that you are close to Seattle. Metropolitan Music, in Seattle, seems to be a good music store, from my experience, albeit long distance. I would drop in there and see what they have. Please tell them that I sent you!
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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