 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Marina
Date: 2015-06-18 19:47
Hello, Can someone help me figure out if we are being taken advantage of? My daughter took band from 4 until 8 grade. We paid $18/month for over 5 years for renting a used instrument. Under the contract, once the child pays off, she is eligible for a new instrument from this rental place. However, after over 5 years of payments we still owed about $200 for a new instrument. Now our daughter decided to join the marching band and the same rental place says that it would be $543 for a new instrument and if we go back to rent a used one, that would be $19/month and again we will not pay in enough for a new instrument after 2 years of payments to get a new instrument because they go up in price every year. I am not sure which type of clarinet they use but I doubt that it is super professional. Can someone give me any advice if we can get a better deal somewhere else? We are in the Pittsburgh area. Thank you!
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-06-18 19:53
Do you know which brand/model she was using/will use?
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Author: Marina
Date: 2015-06-18 20:33
I just found out from the boosters president that any b-flat clarinet should be fine
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Author: kthln.hnsn
Date: 2015-06-18 20:53
For high school marching band it really isn't a big deal what kind they have, as long as they have fun. I do not recommend wood for outdoor playing. If she continues with concert band and is serious about continuing on with clarinet I would recommend a nicer instrument, wood, than the one she uses in marching band. If you have Facebook, a new type of thing they do is "online garage sales" in the form of groups, I would check out your local online garage sale, most areas have them nowadays. Do a search for clarinet and they may have one or two for sale.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-06-18 20:58
Used E11's in good condition can be had for $400-500. On the auction site, and locally.
Used plastic Vitos in good shape can be had for $150-175.
Email the band director - see if he knows any for sale.
Sometimes they're offered for sale on this site - see the sale section upper right.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-06-18 21:16
An instrument very worthy to consider would be a Ridenour clarinet. He has several models available, all high quality, and pretty affordable. They are made of Hard-Rubber, so weather has no effect, and they sound marvelous for Concert Band as well. I would call Tom and discuss your needs with him. He offers a payment plan too! One of my recently most used (as a pfofessional) horns is a Ridenour. here is his number:
1-888-258-7845
You will be glad you did! (I promise!)
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: Marina
Date: 2015-06-18 21:49
Everyone has been so great with their advice, thank you!
Can you let me know if this one should be OK for 2 years of marching band? I doubt that she will pursue it in college and if she does, we will look into a better one. Thanks so much!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mendini-Black-Blue-Green-Pink-Purple-Red-White-Bb-Clarinet-CareKit-11Reeds-Case-/110737278761?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item19c874c729
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-18 22:14
The Backun Alpha is also a superb instrument for outdoors play. I've just done some outdoors gigging with mine and found that the projection outdoors is absolutely outstanding. Yet, the instrument sounds beautiful in traditional concert settings.
Owning both a Ridenour 576BC and an Alpha, I'd heartily recommend an Alpha over a 576BC for outdoors jobs.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-18 22:18
The Mendini is not recommended at any price. You can easily find good used clarinets from reputable makers for $89.99.
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2015-06-18 23:33
If it comes with a pair of white gloves, do not buy. Such devices are derisively called here CSO's, clarinet shaped objects. They will only lead to disappointment, no matter how inexpensive.
Will the store still let you pay $200 and buy the instrument you've been renting for 5 years? Perhaps what you've been renting all along is a worthy instrument and there is no need to get something 'new' - whether brand new or used.
If you could let us know the make and model of what you've long rented, it would be very helpful.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-06-19 01:10
A rental agreement for a basic instrument definitely takes advantage of you if you keep the instrument for a while and don't eventually buy it.
At this point, you should absolutely buy an inexpensive plastic clarinet from a major maker: Selmer, Leblanc, Yamaha or Buffet. Your best buy will probably be a Bundy (from Selmer) or a Vito (from Leblanc).
You can find them on eBay or ShopGoodwill for next to nothing ($50 or so), though they may need repadding.
Do NOT buy from sellers who say "I know nothing about clarinets." ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BUY off-brands such as Mendini.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-06-19 03:14
Note: I rent & sell clarinets. Things don't look all above board. Most rent to own programs are 3 years long. In fact in my state l believe 3 years is the limit. A used USA made student clarinet in excellent shape might be worth $400. Most used instruments are worth less.
I would take a good look at your contract. So far you have paid over $1000. I wonder if you paid off the clarinet a long time ago. Once you start renting an instrument with a contract the price does't go up.
The alternative situation is that you did not have a "rent-to-own", but a plain rental. In this scenario you are paying just for the use of the instrument. I have offered these on a yearly basis with an option to buy at the end. Again, your contract will state this. If you have lost your contract, then ask them for a copy. If they are charging you money they better have it!
M. Tylerleecuts has it correct: plastic Vito, Selmer, Bundy (the original, not the new Chinese ones) or Yamaha clarinet. I would add recently made Jupiter clarinets to the list. These will hold up better than some other names mentioned. (I repair hundreds of clarinets every year).
Steve Ocone
Post Edited (2015-06-19 15:36)
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2015-06-19 18:28
To clarify, Marina said that she would owe $200 for a new instrument. Is this $200 owed on the instrument they already have if it was new at the time or $200 to get a new one now? If she owns the instrument currently in her daughter's hands, I don't see why that can't be the marching instrument.
Definitely agree with Steve O that 5 years is way too long unless they returned it at some point and started over. Where I work most of our contracts have a little higher rent than $18 but they are written for anywhere from 29-33 months typically.
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Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2015-06-20 19:30
If you truly have paid $1000 rent for an student instrument and they still want more to buy it, I would never, ever, do business with that store under any circumstances.
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