 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rtaylor
Date: 2019-07-24 21:32
I was having my instruents overhauled last March at Leitner & Kraus in Germany.
While I was there, the topie of a US representative came up. They mentioned that they would be interested in having someone be the US representative/distributor.
My question is really a survey for this Bboard. Would there be any interest in having a US representative? They make German system clarinets in all pitches, Reform-Boehm clarinets in most pitches and a French system in A & B-flat. Prices in U.S dollars currently are consistent with top of the line Backun and Buffet professional models.
If the responses seem positive, I may pursue what would be necessary to make this happen.
(My apologies to Marc, if this forum is not appropriate for this type of question).
Cheers,
Robert
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2019-07-24 22:54
We would benefit from having Leitner & Krauss representatives and distributors where U.S. clarinetists could easily go to try out clarinets and get updates on new models. Additional high quality clarinet makers from Germany and Austria and other parts of the world would be welcome also, such as Wurlitzer, Hans Dietz, Schwenk & Seggelke, Devon and Burgani, and Rossi.
Post Edited (2019-07-25 00:00)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-24 22:59
Seabreeze: don't forget us!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-07-25 17:41
Many of us would be delighted to be able to try these out in the U.S., but the real question is whether a distributorship would generate sufficient profits to make it worthwhile and sustainable as a business. Uebel seems to have struggled with this for a few years before they became more high profile. It would probably take a fair bit of advertising and some name players switching to L&K. The other thing is that these are handmade, high-level horns, and the profitability of most makers selling in the U.S. is sustained by a product range that includes instruments that can be sold in large numbers to students. I don't know why the U.S. Wurlitzer distributorship was dropped, but I'm guessing that as a business, it just didn't make enough to justify the continued effort.
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Author: rtaylor
Date: 2019-07-25 18:49
You make good points dorjepismo.
Ubel has struggled until recently with Morales switching. In an ideal world players should choose an instrument that fits their needs and not buy something just because a famous professional plays something. I am guilty of that mind set when I was in school and it's a tough habit to break.
I will wait and see how much interest is generated by this post to help me make a decision.
Cheers,
Robert
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2019-07-26 04:20
I think there are a lot of Americans who like the idea of a German bore and mouthpiece with French fingerings. Especially considering the trend in tonal concept.
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2019-07-26 04:54
I would be very interested in trying some of the German reform Boehm instruments - Leitner & Kraus, Schwenk & Seggelke, etc. and if they were appreciably superior to my current instruments, I'd probably buy a set. Without a US rep, however, that's a challenge and not likely to happen.
Alternatively, I wonder why none of these makers participate at Clarinetfest? That would be a good way to get exposure to the US market. I'd make a trek to next year's convention (granted, the location is particularly convenient) for the sole purpose of trying even one brand. If they can't personally commit the time, perhaps they could partner with someone like Wolfgang Lohff, who will probably be exhibiting anyway.
Jordan
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-07-26 06:31
Leitner & Kraus IS in Knoxville right now.
They did not bring any Oehlers with them.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2019-07-26 08:05
Paul Aviles wrote:
> Leitner & Kraus IS in Knoxville right now.
>
That's good to hear; it'd definitely get me to Reno next year. Oddly, they're not on the online exhibitor list: http://clarinet.org/clarinetfest/clarinetfest-2019/exhibitor-information-2019/
I'd really like to see Schwenk & Seggelke there with with their reform Boehm bass.
Jordan
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-07-26 17:36
"I'd really like to see Schwenk & Seggelke there with with their reform Boehm bass."
It would be nice, and people would like the bass a lot, but at the same time, the waiting period is up to two years, and the bass sells for something over 2 1/2 times what an Uebel Emperor does. They've got all the business they can handle, although I'm sure Jochen would like it very much if more top U.S. players bought from him. What I don't think he would want, nor should we, would be to change from a small workshop where he knows everything that's going on and has apprentices to a major operation with middle managers and different levels of hired techs. It seemed like the people there like working in that kind of scene quite a lot, and wouldn't be enthusiastic to turn it into a factory. They're in it for a lot more than just the money.
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