[BobbyC]

I was watching it count down and trying to decide what to do.

Did I miss out on a great deal?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=110190868759&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI

It's tough trying to find something decent at a really good price.
Without a lot of experience with clarinets, I often feel lost.

 

[Roger Aldridge]

It was not what I'd think of as a great deal. It was an old student model. Hard to know it's actual condition and how much $$ you might have spent at a repair tech's to get it to a good playable condition.

Clarinuts.com is a good place to get used clarinets at a pretty reasonable price. Especially, if you don't have a lot of experience with the clarinet.

Good luck!

Roger

 

[Isle of Jazz]

I wouldn't lose sleep over it. If you're really looking to buy a good, inexpensive clarinet, I think you're better off haunting music stores where you can try them out; bring a clarinet-playing friend with you or get permission to have an expert give it a thorough once over.

 

[Martinman]

How do you bid vintagely?

 

[Chris J]

I see you have an Evette & Schaeffer tenor

Evette and Schaeffer clarinets often go at a low price on Ebay. The K series (K in front of the serial number) are the forerunner to the Buffet E13, but key work and wood quality often compared to the R13.

But as already said, assume you need to do work on anything from Ebay, and if you don't, its a bonus.

 

[Chris J]

For example
This one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Evette-Schaef...yZ85869QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD10VQQcmdZViewItem
Is sold with a Link slant sig mouthpiece. I have no idea if that is good for the clarinet, but if it is, it could be worth more than the clarinet!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nice-Buffet-E...yZ85869QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD10VQQcmdZViewItem looks over priced

and http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EVETTE-SCHAEF...yZ47098QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD10VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[stevesklar]

The Normandy 7 is a nice clarinet. I would consider it more low intermediate like their 8, 10, 12 brethen. But then the Normandy 4 when I bought mine was considered a student/low intermediate

but then (i've had them all through my hands at one time) there's not much difference between them all. There is some keywork diffs like inline vs offset trill keys if i recall. later one in the early 70s they differntiated them some more by cheapening up a few things in the lower models.

the normandy's - any of them, don't sell for much on ebay so you really didn't let something go .... they'll be another one. The 4s are most common by far. The 5,7,8,10 and 12s are a bit more of a rare oddity.

 

[BobbyC]

I've had my eye on some Evette and Schaeffers, Selmers, Noblets, and other wood clarinets but my budget is rather small.

I hoping to get lucky and come across something decent that maybe needs some work for a real good price.

I was going to eventually post a want add here in hopes of trading something or perhaps if I sell off some unused equipment.
I have a bunch of keyboard related stuff from when I was a weekend warrior.


QUESTION: Is a Normandy Special any good? I've seen comments both ways on the internet over this one.

 

[Roger Aldridge]

Bobby,

A couple of more suggestions.....

Contact David Speigalthal on this forum. David has a superb knowledge of many clarinet brands that are off the beaten path (ie, the "big four")...some of which can be had for a fairly cheap price. He can certainly answer your question about Normandy Special. In addition, David also sells clarinets that he's restored. He might be able to fix you up with a good player at a very reasonable price. It would make much more sense to me to get something from David than going through ebay with respect to getting a known quality instrument.

Also, I highly recommend that you keep your eye out for Couesnon Monopole Conservatories clarinets. David was the guy who turned me on to Couesnon several years ago. This is truly a pro-level French clarinet that -- because many clarinetists either do not know about its level of quality or simply stick with the Big Four -- can often be had for the price of a student model. I have two Couesnons and both of them play absolutely beautifully. Frankly, I could not believe the cheap prices I paid for my Couesnons. It is David's feeling that vintage Couesnon clarinets are at a level of craftsmanship and playability that is comparable to Buffet. The quality of wood in a Couesnon is breathtaking. There's no way that one can get wood like this in a modern Buffet.

If you happen to come across a Couesnon Monopole I'd recommend approximately a 34xxx serial number range. This is a later model. I've found that it has greater projection and "ring" than the earlier models.

Good luck!

Roger

 

[stevesklar]

the old Normandy Specials had plastic bells and/or barrels but wood bodies. At the prices out there the best bang for the buck is the Normandy 4s (for Normandys).

I've had one since 1978 and it plays great, I also own many other clarinets (R13, Leblancs, Selmer Paris, Normandy 4,7,8,10,12, Noblet 27,40,45s, etc) and really any of the Normandys are fantastic players for the price when properly set up.

keep in mind, professionally the Leblanc far outplay the Normandys. but few are able to completely hear the difference in clarity of tone and response, etc.

Normandy is considered Student, Noblet intermediate and the Leblanc professional (thought alot of student ones are sold as Leblanc "Vitos")

 

[BobbyC]

Here's another one.

After just getting my butt kicked on ebay over a Larry Combs LC3 MPC and a Noblet clarinet I abandon all hope of getting anything at a good price.

I have a Boosey and Hawkes Edgware on my watch list that's at $50 with no bids.

I keep watching it until the last minute when there are still no bids.

I say to the wife to look at it thinking I have just enough time to ease the blow and put in a $50 bid.

It takes us exactly 1 second past the end of the auction to get the bid entered so the clarinet goes away with no bidders.

I hope I didn't screw up but I have to wonder why no one else bidded on it.

I looked nice in the pictures but there weren't many (pictures) and I believe it was one of those "AS IS" sales.

 

[stevesklar]

here's a recent thread on the Edgeware
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=69830

 

[BobbyC]

Thanks Steve but I am already subscribed to that thread.

I'm thinking $50 was a steal so I can't understand why no bidders.
I sent an email asking what will become of that clarinet.

Here's the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=140178488842&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI

 

[stevesklar]

good luck. i've bought stuff after auctions have ended, so you may be able to pick it up.