Should you buy a used professional clarinet or a new intermediate clarinet? Find out here!

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Melanie Wong is an expert clarinet repair technician and goes over all the things to think about when buying a new clarinet or playing the clarinet you already have after a long layoff.
Buffet serial numbers: www.woodwindforum.com/clarine...
Clarinet NinjClarinet Ninja approved products
Links are affiliate links - a great way to support the channel!
Mouthpieces:
Affordable professional Bb clarinet mouthpiece:
Vandoren BD 4 amzn.to/3iSEmAc
Vandoren 5RV LYRE amzn.to/3H1mECA
Vandoren M30 amzn.to/3J6ExTs
Student mouthpiece:
Fobes Debut Student clarinet mouthpiece www.clarkwfobes.com/products/...
Vandoren V12 reeds:
#3 amzn.to/3J6ExTs
#3.5 amzn.to/3WvJHLD
#4 amzn.to/3J7LJhY
Vandoren Traditional (Blue box)
#3 amzn.to/3J7LJhY
#3.5 amzn.to/3ZKTGPY
#4 amzn.to/3QTusLm
Books all clarinetists should have:
Baermann third division amzn.to/3j2fTsd
Kell Staccato studies amzn.to/3wkLisZ
Jean Jean Vade Mecum amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 32 etudes amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 40 etudes amzn.to/3GWDwdW
Kroepsch 416 progressive studies amzn.to/3wj48kb
Reed equipment:
Ridenour ATG reed finishing system amzn.to/3XqF7zu
ReedGeek Universal G4 reed tool amzn.to/3HnjWZC
400 grit sandpaper amzn.to/3H1oof6
600 grit sandpaper amzn.to/3j2hiyZ
Vandoren V12 Reed Trimmer amzn.to/3H7K8r6
Vandoren V21 and 56 Rue Lepic amzn.to/3GLkC9I
Vandoren Traditional amzn.to/3kjMQRi
Vandoren Black Master/Black Master Traditional amzn.to/3HcErs1
Vandoren White Master amzn.to/3kl4hRz
Reed cases:
Vandoren Hygro case Bb and Eb reeds amzn.to/3koZmPo
D'Addario Woodwinds Multi-Instrument Reed case amzn.to/3XubIVg
Rico Reed Guard Bb clarinet amzn.to/3J1h06d
Ligatures:
Bonade inverted silver plated amzn.to/3wlJdNy
Vandoren M/O ligature amzn.to/3XPYNNg
Vandoren Optimum Ligature amzn.to/3QYvOof
Rovner Mark III amzn.to/3J6H7ZEa approved products
Links are affiliate links - a great way to support the channel!
Mouthpieces:
Affordable professional Bb clarinet mouthpiece:
Vandoren BD 4 amzn.to/3iSEmAc
Vandoren 5RV LYRE amzn.to/3H1mECA
Vandoren M30 amzn.to/3J6ExTs
Student mouthpiece:
Fobes Debut Student clarinet mouthpiece www.clarkwfobes.com/products/...
Vandoren V12 reeds:
#3 amzn.to/3J6ExTs
#3.5 amzn.to/3WvJHLD
#4 amzn.to/3J7LJhY
Vandoren Traditional (Blue box)
#3 amzn.to/3J7LJhY
#3.5 amzn.to/3ZKTGPY
#4 amzn.to/3QTusLm
Books all clarinetists should have:
Baermann third division amzn.to/3j2fTsd
Kell Staccato studies amzn.to/3wkLisZ
Jean Jean Vade Mecum amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 32 etudes amzn.to/3J9U6cO
Rose 40 etudes amzn.to/3GWDwdW
Kroepsch 416 progressive studies amzn.to/3wj48kb
Reed equipment:
Ridenour ATG reed finishing system amzn.to/3XqF7zu
ReedGeek Universal G4 reed tool amzn.to/3HnjWZC
400 grit sandpaper amzn.to/3H1oof6
600 grit sandpaper amzn.to/3j2hiyZ
Vandoren V12 Reed Trimmer amzn.to/3H7K8r6
Vandoren V21 and 56 Rue Lepic amzn.to/3GLkC9I
Vandoren Traditional amzn.to/3kjMQRi
Vandoren Black Master/Black Master Traditional amzn.to/3HcErs1
Vandoren White Master amzn.to/3kl4hRz
Reed cases:
Vandoren Hygro case Bb and Eb reeds amzn.to/3koZmPo
D'Addario Woodwinds Multi-Instrument Reed case amzn.to/3XubIVg
Rico Reed Guard Bb clarinet amzn.to/3J1h06d
Ligatures:
Bonade inverted silver plated amzn.to/3wlJdNy
Vandoren M/O ligature amzn.to/3XPYNNg
Vandoren Optimum Ligature amzn.to/3QYvOof
Rovner Mark III amzn.to/3J6H7ZE

[@melawong]

Thanks for having me Jay! Always a blast getting to chat :)

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

Used Pro - hands down. Back in the mid-90's (before eBay was a thing), I found a used R-13 for $399 at a used instrument store. (I made calls looking for a wood Buffet model, no model number on it, and a brown leather case.) It was made in the early 80's and played well, but needed some adjustments. Took it to my local tech, paid about $200-$250 for the adjustments (including key voicing, etc), bought a new R-13 case and case cover... and very happy with it. Wish I never sold it, but I did.

[@clarinetninja]

I love stories like that. They have become a rare occurrence in the world of eBay. I can empathize with the wish you didn't sell it. I have had many instruments in my life. I only keep one of everything (except Bb which I have two). I still wish I had every one of those instruments I sold. At the same time, as I am looking at your channel page, it is not a wise financial decision to keep em all! lol

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

@@clarinetninja Some things are more important than money. Lots of money and no joy doesn't make a fulfilling life. 😁

[@clarinetninja]

Totally agree!

[@davideichler5105]

If you are an intermediate player who can't afford a professional instrument, or any player who needs to play below 65 degrees at times (which risks cracking a wood instrument) and can't afford more than one instrument, the Backun Alpha (which is synthetic) has excellent keywork and tuning, and very good tone. With this instrument, I no longer see any need for a wooden intermediate model. It just fills that niche so nicely, and is relatively inexpensive enough that some beginners can afford it. For a professional instrument, used is certainly the best way to go if your budget is limited, if you can find the right instrument, in the right condition, for the right price, but you really need to know what you are doing if trying to evaluate an instrument that needs work on your own, and understand what the potential overhaul cost might be.

[@clarinetninja]

I completely agree with all of your points. It is always wonderful when we find a tool that is just right for our needs!:)

[@emilev2134]

After seeing a lot of "clarinet choice" videos, I'm more and more convinced to take a not-wooden instrument, because I want to take it with me in my backpack, jam in the park, have it with me here and there instead of worrying about humidity and temperature... I feel like pro instruments are really for people who envision their playing as an actual career, in concert halls where the acoustic really matters.

[@davideichler5105]

@@emilev2134 , while I agree about using a non-wooden instrument for the kind of usage you describe for yourself, there are many serious amateur players who play well and like to try to sound their best, for which professional equipment will still be the preferred choice.

[@clarinetninja]

@@emilev2134 for sure if you want to play it outside - a wood instrument is not the right choice as that is bad for it. At the same time, if one is not playing outside, there is still a pretty big upside in the experience if playing a top line instrument no matter the (indoor) context :)

[@user-ri9hk9mv6z]

Yes jay😊

[@liamclarinet]

My clarinets are 20+ years old. I haven't played any new clarinet I prefer, even though I would struggle to sell my Bb/A pair for more than $3500. Go used pro, I say.

[@pmwizard48]

What are your feelings on the Backun alpha and the Ridenour Lyrique clarinets for sound and quality?

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

I'm happy with my Lyrique AureA... but I'm also largely out of practice. I did play it recently for a Christmas Messiah concert and got lots of great compliments on the tone and pitch, but I think I still have a leak or two... so I'm going to a tech soon to check if it's really the clarinet, or if it's me.

[@clarinetninja]

I don't have much (if any) direct experience with either clarinet. I am confident that Morrie and Tom know as much about the clarinet as anybody in the world. I have played instruments from Backun and I think they are great. Years ago, I tried the Bliss clarinet (aimed at the time at the same price point) and I thought it was good. As far as Ridenour, I have had one student that has had one. I took no issues with it. It was during the time of peak Covid so I never played it myself.

[@clarinetninja]

@@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast It's great to hear you had a performance during the holidays. Going to a tech is always revealing! What keeps you from a more consistent practice schedule?

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

@@clarinetninja I'm an enthusiastic amateur, but I have other professional projects going on right now. I'm just glad to have a quality instrument and I won't let it go. Eventually I'll join a community band, but I won't audition to join one. I wouldn't make it! lol.

[@davideichler5105]

I bought an Alpha to supplement my Buffet R-13, to have an instrument I can play in colder conditions or whenever I didn't want to bring my professional instrument. It is an excellent instrument for the money and could be an adequate substitute for a fully professional instrument in a pinch, in some situations. Though the Alpha is a synthetic instrument, it is really beyond any student instrument and I think compares well with the better wooden intermediate instruments. It really can sound like a professional instrument, though might take a little more work or require a slightly different set-up for some.

[@BarbieCalcine]

at what price point would someone playing at your skill level, Jay, consider that paying more money is simply buying a more expensive clarinet rather than getting a better tone etc? $1000 prob much better than a $100 but as someone thinking to move from basic to first professional instrument, how much is it sensible to put in the piggy bank. Clearly saving for a $400k instrument would be stupid but I would be interested in where someone with your experience and skill level would estimate the dividing line in price to be. Thx!

[@clarinetninja]

This is a challenge to answer, but I will give it a shot. I don't know; 1) where you are in your clarinet journey 2) how much (to put it bluntly) money you have. Regardless of the answers, I will say something - I hope these things are helpful. We will all sound pretty much the same on whatever instrument we are playing if we have our own mouthpiece and reed..I would still sound like me and you would sound like you. This is to say that changing an instrument does not have a dramatic impact on the sound in an immediate sense. The immediate difference will be in your experience playing it. That will be far better. The instrument will have an impact on your tone. This impact will come from time playing it and being able to learn with a higher ceiling. Often times a less expensive instrument won't do (tone, pitch, mechanically) the things that will allow a clear path to successful learning. Having a clear path to do your best learning is vague (I get that). If you have been playing for years and know you are going to continue - AND - can comfortably afford it - I think its worth it. It reminds me of buying a car. Essentially any car on any lot will get you from point A to point B. The only real difference is the experience you have while you are getting from point A to point B. Additionally - how will it hold up over time? Will it fit my (Potentially) growing family? How will I feel while I drive it? These are all questions that don't have a definitive answer. To boil it down to something I can say is true. A nicer instrument will allow for a better experience playing it as well as a better experience learning how to play (after a certain point). I would say look to the center of the clarinet world (Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha) to find something that suits you financially. They all make great instruments. I would hesitate to go elsewhere because it just makes things more complicated and less "known". From what I gather in your place in the clarinet journey - this is what I would advise you to think about. Sorry I can't make this more concrete. Perhaps something like - if you are playing from Rose 32 (or something at that level) you should absolutely not be doing this on a student clarinet. You have earned the access to a better clarinet. How much you should spend....that's between you and your bank account :) I have a Buffet RC Prestige and an R13 greenline. Love them both. Hope some of this addresses your question....it got pretty long. Kind of a shotgun approach to advice. Let me know if I can help more :)

[@BarbieCalcine]

Thanks - that's very thoughtful and helpful. I guess my question is more related to going into a restaurant and buying wine with dinner - a $3 will taste like $3 and pretty much anyone can spot the difference if given a $40 bottle and maybe $200. But and nothing to do with finance per se, could many of us tell the difference between a $200 and $1000? Clearly the benefit curve flattens with price but at what point on clarinet does the curve really start to flatten? For me after only a couple of years it will be lower than you, and it was more of a curiosity as to whether it ever actually gets much higher or if even as a master the diferences are more about subtleties of experience and choice. Anyway, what you are saying makes sense - go out and try them and then choose the best fit - sage advice for many things in life!@@clarinetninja

[@clarinetninja]

I think the difference in the wine analogy is this; when you consume the wine, all of it benefits are presented the moment you taste it. With the clarinet, it’s going to impact (perhaps be a pet of shaping) your progress moving forward. There is an intangible future impact that makes the wine analogy (and most others that I can think of) not fit exactly into the clarinet purchase experience

[@BarbieCalcine]

what a beautifully wise thought - love it...