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I don't want to spend a lot of money. Any suggestions (wood only)?
I need a decent Clarinet, but......
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New? Try Dave Kessler's shop. I bought a new Buffet E-11 (the German-made one) a couple of years ago from Kessler's. It is a practice horn, left assembled on a peg to save me the hassles of digging out my gigging horn and assembling, etc. It works fine for that and could probably serve for public use should it come to that. Cost me under $IK at the time. DAVE
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I have a Selmer Signet and an older Noblet. I'm pleased with both of them. got them both on Ebay for under $100. (I think the Noblet might have only been $25!) of course then you have to factor in the cost to get them back in playable condition.
did you have a budget in mind?
did you have a budget in mind?
“I play sax but mostly it plays me”
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4,560 Posts
500-1000
I found a few that seem decent. But ,want to make sure I find a model that is well regarded. If I could get something good for a bargain even better. After Christmas I will try and get serious about this.
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If I had that budget, this is what I would get. http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
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Are these good? (I have it in my head that ebonite isn't as good as wood. I could be convinced otherwise I guess)
Thanks for your help.
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PM sent. I've got 2 pro wooden clarinets for sale in your price range.
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Just like mouthpieces, material doesn't matter in the construction of woodwinds. What does matter is the shape and finish of the bore, the placement of toneholes, etc. Material is chosen based on ease of construction (why brass is used for saxophones). Ridenour was a designer at LeBlanc for many years. I haven't tried one but these clarinets are highly regarded.
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Oh, you can do better than an Evette in that range. I saw some used Evettes and E&S in the $200-$500 range. A good used E&S is still a good deal though. I haven't tried the Ridenours, but they sound interesting.
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I had a nice Selmer for about 12 years that wasn't mine, but the person that it belonged to no longer played and I hadn't seen or heard from her in a while.....out of the blue about 8 weeks back she called me up and asked "Do you by any chance still have my Clarinet?"
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Older Buffet R13's can be found in that range as well as the Buffet Evette Master Model. I've got a '73 Master Model that is a really sweet horn.
You might find a few Selmer models in your price range as well. I'm not to fond of the 10S series but the 9 and 9* are good, as well as the Omega.
I haven't played many made by Leblanc, but they didn't suit me well. You may like the Concerto II or similar.
Anything Yamaha has a good reputation, but again they didn't suit me.
I've heard that the 'newer' Selmer USA intermediate level wood clarinets have really improved so something there might be of interest.
One 'sleeper' that I would suggest is an SML. Good sounding and playing, and can usually be snatched up relatively inexpensively.
I know you've played for a while so all of my suggestions are of the 'Intermediate/Pro' line.
You might find a few Selmer models in your price range as well. I'm not to fond of the 10S series but the 9 and 9* are good, as well as the Omega.
I haven't played many made by Leblanc, but they didn't suit me well. You may like the Concerto II or similar.
Anything Yamaha has a good reputation, but again they didn't suit me.
I've heard that the 'newer' Selmer USA intermediate level wood clarinets have really improved so something there might be of interest.
One 'sleeper' that I would suggest is an SML. Good sounding and playing, and can usually be snatched up relatively inexpensively.
I know you've played for a while so all of my suggestions are of the 'Intermediate/Pro' line.
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Read this
http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/selecting.asp
and this
http://clarinetperfection.com/ClarinetValue.htm
All said and done, it's like Bandmommy said above. You gotta try a few to see what "floats your boat."
BM doesn't like the Leblanc so much. I love my Leblanc LL. I think that BM and I would both agree however that the Leblanc is a top line pro horn. Among the top line pro clarinets, (and you should be able to get a pro horn with your budget), Selmer, Leblanc, Buffet, Yamaha, etc, it's no longer a case of one being better than the other. It becomes a matter of which one lets you do your thing the way you want to do it and lets you get the sound you want.
http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/selecting.asp
and this
http://clarinetperfection.com/ClarinetValue.htm
All said and done, it's like Bandmommy said above. You gotta try a few to see what "floats your boat."
BM doesn't like the Leblanc so much. I love my Leblanc LL. I think that BM and I would both agree however that the Leblanc is a top line pro horn. Among the top line pro clarinets, (and you should be able to get a pro horn with your budget), Selmer, Leblanc, Buffet, Yamaha, etc, it's no longer a case of one being better than the other. It becomes a matter of which one lets you do your thing the way you want to do it and lets you get the sound you want.
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+1 on Noblet models 27 or 40. Well-made, sweet-sounding, free-blowing clarinets (late1960s-early 1980s were better made before Leblanc acquired the line and cheapened the product) with very good intonation and sturdy keywork that stays in regulation. Earlier 27s have wooden bells, later ones have plastic. You can usually find them on EBay for $150-250.
I like my Noblet 27 more than a much pricier vintage Selmer 10 my wife plays. To each their own, I suppose!
I like my Noblet 27 more than a much pricier vintage Selmer 10 my wife plays. To each their own, I suppose!
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Boosey and Hawkes Edgware and better are good clarinets for little money, if you want to avoid the usual suspect brands that you pay a premium for.
Change from $500 after the repad.
That Ridenour sure looks like a lot of clarinet for the money though...
Change from $500 after the repad.
That Ridenour sure looks like a lot of clarinet for the money though...
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Yes DP, Leblanc clarinets are top notch. The individual instruments that I tried were VERY nice, but just didn't have the 'special something' I was looking for.
The same with the 6 or 8 R13's and several Yamaha pro clarinets. Nice but...
I ended up with the Selmer Signature. It's the 'perfect' clarinet for me.
It would have to be the most expensive of the lot, but for the last 10 years it's been worth every penny.
The same with the 6 or 8 R13's and several Yamaha pro clarinets. Nice but...
I ended up with the Selmer Signature. It's the 'perfect' clarinet for me.
It would have to be the most expensive of the lot, but for the last 10 years it's been worth every penny.
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