Author: TomS
Date: 2017-03-02 09:55
For $2K a new Ridenour Lyrique Libertas deserves a serious trial. Warm, responsive and in tune. Had mine 3 years (?) and had but one tenon cork and 2 pads replaced. Plating is worn down on some keys, but had same issue on my Buffets. The Libertas is a low maintenance instrument, especially if you have it re-padded with synthetics.
For a wooden instrument, I LOVE (and regularly play) the Yamaha 650.
Both instruments are very different, both excellent, with the intonation on the Yamaha better in some places and worse in other places. Wood feels different, vibrates differently than hard rubber, feels different under the fingers. I think the Yamaha is more free blowing then the Libertas and has more center and core, but not really bright or raspy as other brands/models, like the R13, IMHO.
I am eagerly awaiting the availability of the Yamaha SEVR in the USA as a "big brother" upgrade to the 650 ... or perhaps a CSVR, which is probably less similar to the 650.
For wooden clarinets, it's Yamaha and for non-wood, the Ridenour clarinets are unmatched. You can spend more and get less ...
Tom
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The Clarinet BBoard
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