 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ErnieK
Date: 2011-02-16 13:55
I just saw some advertisements for Vento clarinets being sold by a number of retailers, including Prowinds. They make everything from an Eb to contra bass clarinets. I think they are manufactured in China. Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge about these instruments?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-02-16 14:07
The Search function turns up a number of postings on Vento clarinets. No one has had anything good to say about them. See for example http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=342560&t=342258.
Some makers (particularly in China) have started out with poor instruments but have improved them -- for example, Jupiter. However, I wouldn't buy a Vento until and unless it establishes a good reputation.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-02-16 22:38
I have Ridenour's "prototype" BBb, it is actually a really nice horn. When I saw the Vento BBb on the market I could tell right away that it was from the same factory. I called Tom and told him about it and the Basset A that they are offering. They are his designs. though they are made in China at least with Tom he puts his hands on every horn that you order from him to set it up and adjust everything. Last I talked with him he has not put the BBb into production yet.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2011-02-19 07:11
Actually Bobby , the keywork for these instruments , particularly the Bb are not of Tom Ridenour's design , except for the 'fish tail' speaker key. The rest of the mechanism is the usual mass produced Chinese design and this can also be seen on other 'Stensiled' Chinese makes including the Steinholf. This is the weak point of the Ridenour clarinets even though after Tom has finished tweaking his instruments they turn out as something special. If Tom could get real quality keywork on his instruments they would be second to none .
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-02-19 12:38
I agree with Barry on the keywork.The softer metal of the Lyrique's keys was a sticking point with me. They tend to bend rather easily. When I play on my current Leblanc, I notice a much firmer feel to the metal. It definitely feels more "substantial," and inspires a little more confidence in me.
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: Tom Ridenour
Date: 2014-09-03 22:03
We were just alerted to the Vento model and would like to address this post;
Tom is/was not involved in the design, production, or hand finishing of the Vento brand clarinet. Furthermore, even if Tom was involved in the design (which he is not), the clarinets we deal with from the factory require significant acoustical work. Tone holes are intentionally downsized to allow for adjustment. What comes from a factory, even if it is of "Tom's design", is not a finished clarinet in Tom's opinion.
Ted Ridenour
Ridenour Clarinet Products,
rclarinetproducts.com
sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com
Post Edited (2014-09-04 00:05)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-09-04 20:02
In regard to the strength of the Ridenour Lyrique instrument key-work, I have found that material used on the Lyrique Libertas to be really strong and well resists bending. I made a few bending adjustments on my Libertas and it was a challenge ... not easy to do and I can't imagine the keys bending under normal use.
It might be that some earlier model instruments had issues with soft metal.
On the two recent vintage (last 18 months) clarinets I've purchased from Tom, they share the same hardness and stability of key-work material.
I suspect that getting the factory to produce the absolutely best mechanical cosmetics has been the last piece of RCP's pursuit. The acoustical execution and mechanical functionality seems to be pretty much in a state of "practical" perfection. Making a microscopically flawless instrument would drive the price into outer space ... most clarinets already are too expensive.
I play Ridenour's instruments (and other brands as well!), but I have no connections with them other a typical customer relationship.
Tom
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