Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2019-08-11 02:03
I have long played old Selmers (a P-series CT and an T-series Series 9) and used a Vito V40 for playing in unsavory environments.
I do have a habit of trolling the auction sites and occasionally buying something to see what it's like and have tried many Leblancs, a few Buffets (which have never grabbed me) some B&H, etc...nothing really exotic.
Last year, I noticed that Ishibashi Music (a reputable eBay vendor in Japan) had listed a large number of older Yamaha Custom clarinets for well under $1000. Many looked trashed, but by chatting with them, making rude offers and examining pictures carefully I scored an 853SE and an 852CS (both from about 1992 vintage) for the combined price of less than $1500 including shipping.
Both turned out to be filthy with smelly cases, but with perfect wood, undamaged keywork. They polished up nice, keywork was mostly tight, wood was dry but crack-free and oiled up pretty. I put premium pads and soft materials in throughout and they both were awesome players
I have kept the 853-SE, and sold the 852-CS to a local rising student who is thrilled with it. I have always put my nose up to Yamaha clarinets (although I own Yamaha flute and tenor sax and bass clarinet), however this has become my main clarinet and I can't imagine a better clarinet (maybe I need a better imagination. There are still some awesome values available from that generation of clarinet. I've played the new Customs and they are certainly no better IMHO, and are remarkably costly.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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