Clarinets Chinese clarinets.

[ilovebech]

Does anyone know if the latest crop of Chinese clarinets (Venus) etc, are as good as the latest saxes. Please no cheap cracks about Chinese saxes, Venus in particular, are good !

 

[singlereed]

They are probably 'as good', then ... a Venus soprano I encountered was very poor as the metal on the keys was too soft to hold regulation. There are retailers like John Packer who import very cheap clarinets under their own name (in fact, most wind instruments) that are backed up with service so perhaps better to go for that than an on-line lottery?

 

[dooce]

They are probably 'as good', then ... a Venus soprano I encountered was very poor as the metal on the keys was too soft to hold regulation. There are retailers like John Packer who import very cheap clarinets under their own name (in fact, most wind instruments) that are backed up with service so perhaps better to go for that than an on-line lottery?

Can't speak for Venus, or clarinets for that matter, but I have just acquired a John Packer baritone which I would judge, in my experience, to be at least as well made as my Bauhaus soprano - i.e. pretty bloody good.

 

[ilovebech]

Thanks, about what I expected.Try to bend the keys on the venus sops I have, you would break your fingers !

 

[kevgermany]

We bought a Stagg a few years ago. Was complete junk. Keywork is so bad that instrument repairers don't want to touch it. Not sure if they've improved, but I wouldn't buy another one unseen.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I haven't been anywhere near as impressed with Chinese clarinets as I have with their saxes and flutes.
Many of the cheaper ones I've seen have been rather poor - some have suffered from severe problems such as air bubbles in the body material.

That said, standards have risen in the last year or so and there's at least one company turning out some impressive stuff...though I'm not sure who's selling them over here and under what brand.
If I had to offer a tip-off I'd suggest Packers.

Regards,

 

[griff136]

I agree with Steve.

there are still far too many clarinet brands that have keywork that bend far too easily.

Packers own brand clarinet are worthy of a plug as is the Studenti model that Jonathan Myall AKA just flutes sell:

Deadlink Removed

it comes in a great backpack case, a years warranty and a full checkover at the end of year one free of charge.

 

[Justin Chune]

Have a look at this list. http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=357&t=357

Jim.

 

[ilovebech]

Thanks to all for your advice.