 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2008-04-12 16:20
I'm looking into finding a used A clarinet. I want a good one; I'm going with used because new is too expensive. What are the best ways to start looking for a used instrument? I need to be able to try it obviously. BTW, I live in Southern California if that helps.
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Author: proclarinet
Date: 2008-04-12 16:28
Try checking the classifieds of local newspapers and calling music stores in your area. For a more obscure instrument like an A clarinet this may not get you very far, so also talk to your private teacher if you have one, or your band or orchestra director who may have some idea of someone who is looking to sell. I found mine because my teacher had a friend who, for medical reasons, wasn't able to continue a professional clarinet career and didn't need her A clarinet lying around anymore.
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Author: D
Date: 2008-04-13 15:41
You might find students finishing university and fed up with music, or going into a different field and not intending to play anymore would be glad of a bit of cash and a quick sale.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-04-13 16:20
Don't forget to periodically check the woodwind.org classifieds ...GBK
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2008-04-14 00:42
Thanks. I have my teacher looking for me. The music stores in the area don't carry A clarinets. I've been checking the classified ads on here. I guess I'll just keep it up and be patient.
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Author: caledonius
Date: 2008-04-14 16:13
Finding a "good" used A can be an exercise in futility *unless* you are looking to spend $1800-3000+
How do I know? I became enamored of the idea of finding a good partner to my nickel-keyed Buffet R13 late last year, and I thought, hmm, since used E11's and R13's decline to about half of their stated retail (new) value at almost the instant of purchase, a budget of ~1500 for a used R13 A would be reasonable.
Wrong. The average volume of any make of A clarinet for sale on ebay at any given time is 1-2. It's an even mix of music shops trying to unload floor models, professional refurbishers of very old horns, and individuals trying to sell off their unwanted A's due to financial hardship or no longer playing in orchestras. With such limited supply, the demand on ebay is such that the minimum successful bid for an R13 lately has been $1675, and that was for a 1950s vintage horn with a beat-up looking double case that would likely require replacement. More typical modern-era offerings have met or far-exceeded $2000.
The problem of excess demand, the overpriced nature of modern R13's given the level of craftsmanship, and general ebay groupthink is compounded by the problem of sellers who offer nothing by way of buyer protection or return policy. Many scrupulous owners do opt for $2000 in pay pal protection and offer 3 to 7-day return policies, but I found this to be rare. Thus, you could spend an enormous amount on a dud of a clarinet and have little to show for it.
After four months of watching A's sell on Ebay for ridiculous prices, I decided to give up and spend a lot less on a new Ridenour Lyrique A to see if my Buffet/grenadilla snobbery can be altered. As little as I will need it, I'm sure it will suit my needs, and from what I hear I may be pleasantly surprised (it hasn't arrived yet).
As far as your search goes, I'd recommend the following at a MINIMUM if you are seriously considering buying a non-local A clarinet on a national auction/classified site:
1. A reasonable return policy.
2. A seller who accepts credit card payment (for automatic buyer protection) OR who accepts Pay Pal and offers at least the sale amount in PayPal buyer protection.
and
3. A reasonable sales price. This is of course a matter of taste, but I personally don't think that starting bids of $1500 and up on R13 A's on ebay or sales prices of $2000+ for solitary used A clarinets of any make are reasonable prices for anyone much less amateur clarinettists.
One last thing...some enterprising sellers have taken to playing their instruments on YouTube as demonstrations. It's an underused sales ploy, I think.
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