What is your dream clarinet purchase?
If money were no object, what would you spend it on to improve or grow your clarinet collection? A bass clarinet? A particularly fancy model of Bb clarinet? Something more off the beaten path like a basset horn?
I’m looking forward to reading about everyone’s dream instruments!
13 replies
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I actually already have a contrabass clarinet, a beautiful metal Leblanc (their 'paperclip' model), and I love it, but I once played one of the Eppelsheim contrabass clarinets and I've always wanted one, they are quite expensive (and also quite big) but they play so easily - it feels identical to me to playing a bass clarinet :)
https://www.eppelsheim.com/en/instruments/contrabass-clarinet/
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I want all the clarinets AND the time to practise them! But really: if I ever could justify it, I’d get just three more (on top of the E flat, C, 3 B flats, A, alto, bass and contra alto that I’ve somehow acquired). They’d be: a pair of Uebels (B flat and A) - whatever the “German bore, French system” model is called these days, because I tried them at a clarinet event and felt like I was wearing a velvet cape; and a Buffet Prestige basset horn, so I can stop borrowing my friend’s. Bassets and altos are a lovely size of instrument to hold: I have big hands and they are perfectly happy on those midsized creatures. And basset horns = Mozart, so what’s not to love.
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I just bought a Buffet Tosca bass, so I have checked off one dream. Were I to continue dreaming, I might replace my old A/Bb R-13's with new Toscas. Now that I know better, I would look for a matched set, which i did not do in high school. I get the appeal of a contra, but it would have to come with a new wife.
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Who else has a good answer to this? :)
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I am an amateur clarinetist, but dreamt of a Backun MoBa, Cocobolo wood with gold keys. My husband is very supportive of my love of playing clarinet & he encouraged me to try one that happed to be at a music store near us. It had just came from a trade show with Morrie Backun & the store's Woodwind manager had it in their vault. At first I refused to try it, as I knew the price range, but when they opened the case & the angels flew out & the rays of sunshine burst forth, I couldn't resist. The instrument is pure joy to play. My biggest challenge is to live up to playing such a gorgeous instrument. I share my MoBa with other clarinetists. I have allowed players from high schoolers to professionals try it. I know how lucky I am to have it and that not everyone has the opportunity to play such a clarinet. My clarinet stable includes a Noblet Alto, the true love of my clarinet heart, a Noblet Eb soprano, a Yamaha Xt intermediate Bb and a Backun Alpha synthetic Bb for when I perform outdoors. 🎶
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My old RC Prestige clarinets were 25 years old, so it was time for new clarinets. I just bought Uebel Zenit A, Bb, and C clarinets. I have been wanting that German sound for many years, and I finally took the time to test out over a dozen clarinets over 2 days. I wasn’t planning to buy a C, but the intonation was just too good to leave it at the shop. Sounds amazing too. People have noticed my improved tone
I already have amazing Buffet RC prestige bass, Eb, and D clarinets and a basset horn. My next goal is the Uebel basset clarinet extension. I have a Buffet basset clarinet, but my hands are just too small to play it well. Money wasn’t a huge issue, but fatigue factor was, when I was picking out my Uebel A, Bb and C clarinets. . Just too much for one trip. I will have to go back again for the next round!
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I also have a Leblanc LL Bb I got in 1964. It's my back up, and I hardly ever need it, but take it out every once in a while and blow a few notes for fun. My younger daughter used it from middle through high school, including time in a very good youth orchestra that toured to Japan. She is now 38 and recently mentioned she'd like to play again when her child is a little older. So it may yet live!