Author: TomS
Date: 2015-04-08 01:59
I am not sure what is meant by "breaks constantly" ... I've two of Tom Ridenour's clarinets, a Libertas and a Speranza (similar acoustics to the RCP576) and, other than normal routine maintenance, have had no issues.
Also interested why your teacher would recommend the Greenline models ... sounds like concerns over consistency, stability and cracking? Remember, the Greenline material is so dissimilar to real solid wood. IMHO, it's Buffet's need to really and truly abandon wood, due to it's scarcity of quality, but without the marketing shock by going to something totally different. You combine Blackwood dust with plastic and epoxy resins, compress under heat ... now since it's mostly wood dust, you have an expensive form of particle board. And people will buy it ... because it's (mostly) WOOD! Real solid wood is steak and Greenline is meatloaf ... a good analogy, it think.
You didn't mention which models they are having problems with ... there were some models, sold by dealers that didn't get the care and final QC that Tom provides with instruments sold directly.
There are many professionals, some in major orchestras, that play Ridenour clarinets, especially his instrument pitched in C.
Tom does not compensate players to use or endorse his products ... but you can find many good reviews of his clarinets by well known professionals that are secure enough in their profession to state their opinion, without fear of peer pressure.
Once you play the Libertas for a couple of days, borrow an R13 and see what you think. Get/keep the one you like!
Remember, the Libertas is basically the tried and true design of the Leblanc Concerto and Opus, only it's in hard rubber. If you like the Concerto or Opus (as thousands have ... e.g. Eddie Daniels, Larry Combs ...) you will love the Libertas.
Not saying that R13 is bad at all (it's actually great, in many ways!) ... but very different, and IMHO, more difficult to play than the Ridenour designs.
Ridenour Clarinet Products biggest mistake, in some ways, was to under-price their clarinets.
And, I have no pecuniary interest with the Ridenours ... just a customer.
Tom
Post Edited (2015-04-08 03:02)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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