 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crazy karlos
Date: 2008-04-16 15:21
Has anyone heard of Zweiss instruments? I found a "New Professional 2008 Zweiss Bass Clarinet (Buffet Crampon Design)" being advertised on a South African website, to be shipped from Bombay, India, very cheap at R7,500 (that's about US$950 at the moment). I can't find any details on where these are made.
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/7397596/NEW_2008_ZWEISS_PROFESSIONAL_BASS_CLARINET_HARDCASE.html
-- it looks rather nice, although they've got a pic of a remarkably dorky guy playing one.
"An excellent professional instrument, the Zweiss Bass Clarinet is equally well suited for the concert band or the symphony orchestra. The Zweiss Bass Clarinet produces a rich, well-centered tone that blends easily with an ensemble. It features a two-part neck for less stress in the player's neck and better comfort."
I must admit I'm intrigued -- anyone have a take on this?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-04-16 15:43
Hmm - Zweiss is advertising (I did not say "selling") a lot of Bb clarinets on a local auction site. Not exactly cheap, but somehow I'm cautious, especially when I see that someone selling stuff internationally won't invest 100$ in a decent and error-free translation of their ad (I am not talking about the stuff on the .za site), or some good pictures. To me this says a lot about how much care is put into the finishing touches of a product. (But this is strictly an unscientific observation and probably a pet peeve of mine)
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Ben
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Author: crazy karlos
Date: 2008-04-16 15:53
Jeez, is that really John Surman? Certainly didn't recognise him, and isn't he quite a bit older than that? He was the guy who got me hypnotised by the bass clari in the first place.
This was actually the pic I remember...
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8f4kf/surman.htm
Well, maybe, although I really don't think the guy in that pic looks 64 (a good age for a clarinetist, come to think of it ...)
I'm even more intrigued now. Where are these things made?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-16 15:53
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/7397596/NEW_2008_ZWEISS_PROFESSIONAL_BASS_CLARINET_HARDCASE.html
I like their use of a Selmer bass photo to show what it isn't (and not even similar to Buffet's design), though the cased one pictured further down the page looks like (possibly) a Jupiter bass, again not even remotely based on Buffet's design.
So here's me wondering what the unlucky recipient will be getting - most likely neither a Selmer or Jupiter, or anything that resembles Buffet's design.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-04-16 15:59
I once had an Indian Albert System clarinet, complete with red-threaded tenons and red-leathered pads.
Re-sold for 20$ as "decoration piece". Lesson learned.
I'd rather buy the Gigliotti Bass on 1stopclarinet if I were on a budget. Then again, I'd invest in a Bundy, 'cause at least I'd know what I'd be getting.
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Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-16 16:17
"Then again, I'd invest in a Bundy, 'cause at least I'd know what I'd be getting."
Exactly - always trust your own instincts and stick with what you know.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: crazy karlos
Date: 2008-04-17 08:24
"I like their use of a Selmer bass photo to show what it isn't " ... I *did* say it looked rather nice!
I suspect they are not made in India, but 10/10 to the Indian marketeers, pretty useful spin, even if they could use a sub-editor. (You'll see I did clean up their copy a tad.) I would still like to know if that's really a pic of John Surman!
And obviously, beware of South African auction sites, I might have a little word with this one if I get time. I actually got to this by clicking on an ad at the top of this very website ... it's still there ("Looking forBass clarinet see Bass clarineton bidorbuy"), presumably this is a special for South African browsers?
Anyway, I gather the consensus is that on the whole, it might be reasonably safe to say I've probably got a better deal, all things considered, with the YCL221 II I took delivery of a couple of weeks ago ...
It's sitting under my desk at work here, we've got a rehearsal this evening. Security at my building was most intrigued. (My day job: sub-editor.) I'll post some thoughts on the instrument once my band has heard it. So far: so good.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-04-17 10:37
Attachment: zweiss.jpg (79k)
crazy karlos wrote:
> I suspect they are not made in India, but 10/10 to the Indian
> marketeers, pretty useful spin, even if they could use a
> sub-editor.
At least the Bb sopranos come from India. (Maybe they get 'em from Taiwan, who knows)
--
Ben
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Author: crazy karlos
Date: 2008-04-17 10:43
Those are freight details ("Fracht"), I think, same as for the bass clari ad I saw. Don't think this has much to do with where they're made.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-04-17 11:23
Hey, I just said they come from India, not that they were made there. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: crazy karlos
Date: 2008-04-23 09:27
I queried the seller via the auction site (they're very strict about not allowing you to contact the seller directly). They say:
The Answer:
clarinets are made in China with German collaboration, image of actual clarinet for sale is now uploaded, regards
-- I must say, I don't detect any difference in the pictures, but maybe the one in the box has changed.
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