A
A good performer at any price!
A brief summary for those short of time!
Free blowing
Full, and rich, tone
Good intonation
Acceptably even timbre across whole range
Great value
Now, the full story......
I am a professional 'doubler' (saxes, flute/picc, clarinets) with a background in 'music-theatre', shows/musicals and, occasionally, symphony orchestra.
I needed a replacement A-Clarinet but couldn't justify the cost of a matching instrument for my Buffet RC Prestige Bb-Clarinet.
I already own several Thomann 'doubling' instruments -
C-Clarinet, Alto Flute, Sopranino sax - and have always been impressed by their quality and the way they play so decided I had little to looses by purchasing their 'A' pitch instrument.
I have played this instrument for a couple of hours every day for the past two weeks and have not been disappointed!
The instrument differs a little from the pictures shown. The barrels and bell are now not metal ringed but pure wood and all resemble the Backun 'Moba' products in shape. The bell has a reamed out top, below the tenon join, similar to the Buffet RC but less refined. I feel that these changes add to the weight of the instrument and contribute to a very 'basset-clarinet' like sound. There is also now no C#/G# trill extension to the key as pictured.
Response and intonation are very good - using a Vandoren M30 or Selmer C85-120 m/piece. Throat notes are more than acceptable, Bb is a little stuffy but seems to be improving with use so it might just be that the instrument needs to 'blow-in'. Even better is that my Buffet Bb barrels all fit and seem to work perfectly without causing intonation issues. They look to have a slightly smaller bore than those supplied and offer a lighter, less 'basset-clarinet' like, sound whilst retaining a warm, full-bodied, tone.
The only minus point for me is that the over-sized barrel/bell did not fit into my Buffet double-case without drastic modification...... but that's a small price to pay. I am more than happy with my purchase and pleased that Thomann continue to offer quality, but less popular selling, items at a bargain price so that more players, young and old alike, can widen their playing experience.
Well done Thomann.... and can we have a wooden, to low C, Bass Clarinet from you please... mine needs to be replaced!
Free blowing
Full, and rich, tone
Good intonation
Acceptably even timbre across whole range
Great value
Now, the full story......
I am a professional 'doubler' (saxes, flute/picc, clarinets) with a background in 'music-theatre', shows/musicals and, occasionally, symphony orchestra.
I needed a replacement A-Clarinet but couldn't justify the cost of a matching instrument for my Buffet RC Prestige Bb-Clarinet.
I already own several Thomann 'doubling' instruments -
C-Clarinet, Alto Flute, Sopranino sax - and have always been impressed by their quality and the way they play so decided I had little to looses by purchasing their 'A' pitch instrument.
I have played this instrument for a couple of hours every day for the past two weeks and have not been disappointed!
The instrument differs a little from the pictures shown. The barrels and bell are now not metal ringed but pure wood and all resemble the Backun 'Moba' products in shape. The bell has a reamed out top, below the tenon join, similar to the Buffet RC but less refined. I feel that these changes add to the weight of the instrument and contribute to a very 'basset-clarinet' like sound. There is also now no C#/G# trill extension to the key as pictured.
Response and intonation are very good - using a Vandoren M30 or Selmer C85-120 m/piece. Throat notes are more than acceptable, Bb is a little stuffy but seems to be improving with use so it might just be that the instrument needs to 'blow-in'. Even better is that my Buffet Bb barrels all fit and seem to work perfectly without causing intonation issues. They look to have a slightly smaller bore than those supplied and offer a lighter, less 'basset-clarinet' like, sound whilst retaining a warm, full-bodied, tone.
The only minus point for me is that the over-sized barrel/bell did not fit into my Buffet double-case without drastic modification...... but that's a small price to pay. I am more than happy with my purchase and pleased that Thomann continue to offer quality, but less popular selling, items at a bargain price so that more players, young and old alike, can widen their playing experience.
Well done Thomann.... and can we have a wooden, to low C, Bass Clarinet from you please... mine needs to be replaced!
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