Howarth Clarinet Options

[Pixie*Porsche]

Has anyone on here played a Howarth clarinet? It appears I may have found myself an instrument after too long playing diploma level stuff on whatever I've got about (mainly B12s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif))

What are they like? Opinions most welcome. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[barry-clari]

Has anyone on here played a Howarth clarinet? It appears I may have found myself an instrument after too long playing diploma level stuff on whatever I've got about (mainly B12s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif))

What are they like? Opinions most welcome. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Not regularly : but it will invariably be a decent clarinet. I find most Howarths have quite a bit of resistance, so that may be worth thinking about when finding mouthpieces etc. to go with it.

[Pixie*Porsche]

Thanks Barry, I know theres not that many of them about mainly bought it because it was a bargain and I've always wanted to try one, so I'll see what I think to it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Will try it first with my Vandoren mouthpiece and if it's a howarth mouthpiece in the box I'll try that too. If neither of those are great I will have to go and see what suits it, if I like the instrument that is, of course! If not, I'll overhaul and sell it and go back to the drawing board ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Rather excited now though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[Devonclari]

The person who plays next to me in band has one and it is very nice, but there are very few around

[Pixie*Porsche]

Hoping clari will arrive tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[Clari Nicki1]

Hoping clari will arrive tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Exciting ....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)
Enjoy.....

[barry-clari]

Hoping clari will arrive tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Will be very interested to see if you think the same as me about Howarths, P*P... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

I'm very excited (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It probably won't turn up until about 12pm and I don't finish teaching until 6pm this evening, so will *hopefully* have a play this evening for first impressions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Out of all the clarinets I've played (which is lots of varying manufacturers) my favourite so far has been someone elses 1935 Buffet, it sounded so beautiful! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Then again I seem to have a bit of a thing for old clarinets - I like the fact they've got some history! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[barry-clari]

I'm very excited (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It probably won't turn up until about 12pm and I don't finish teaching until 6pm this evening, so will *hopefully* have a play this evening for first impressions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Cool! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Out of all the clarinets I've played (which is lots of varying manufacturers) my favourite so far has been someone elses 1935 Buffet, it sounded so beautiful! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Then again I seem to have a bit of a thing for old clarinets - I like the fact they've got some history! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Buffet has a very interesting history - they've gone through good and not so good patches (this is probably worthy of a thread in itself). My regular Bb is a 2001 Buffet R13 : utterly reliable - it's never had any major defect. Ever...

[Pixie*Porsche]

I have played many Buffets and find it interesting as I either love them or loathe them. Something I also found is they don't always fit into their model expectations. Not sure if this is just me? I've had wonderful playing E13's and even sometimes E11's - this is rare admitted and RC's / R13's that aren't that great!

I've also played a number of Pre-R13's and there was only this one that caught my eye, erm, perhaps that should be ear? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) The rest were OK but in my opinion nothing special.

Also I have played most intermediate to professional Le Blancs (though none in the current range apart from the Bliss) and most of the intermediate to professional Boosey and Hawkes offerings.

[barry-clari]

I have played many Buffets and find it interesting as I either love them or loathe them. Something I also found is they don't always fit into their model expectations. Not sure if this is just me? I've had wonderful playing E13's and even sometimes E11's - this is rare admitted and RC's / R13's that aren't that great!

I don't think it's just you. A number of early Prestiges have gained a reputation for being a bit leaky...

[Pixie*Porsche]

Clarinet did arrive today but needs some work before I can really put it through it's paces! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

Got some of the pad seating issues sorted and have played some pieces through, more to do tomorrow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[barry-clari]

Got some of the pad seating issues sorted and have played some pieces through, more to do tomorrow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Initial impressions, P*P? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

Got some of the pad seating issues sorted and have played some pieces through, more to do tomorrow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Initial impressions, P*P? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I am reluctant to post anythig yet due the instrument not being properly set up for me as yet but it is playable! So here goes:

First of all it is a Howarth clarinet with old type logo (looks like the shop logo rather than the new logo on the S2 and S3 clarinets)

Looks - what delicate and beautiful keywork. It looks very "handmade" and that is a massive plus point for me but I could understand others not liking this element of the clarinet. This clarinet does not have an adjustable thumbrest but I may fit a Buffet item or go back to my Tom Kooniman (sp) not decided on that yet.

Set up - Playing with a Vandoren M30 mouthpiece, Rovner lig and Vandoren 2 1/2 traditional reeds. I do have a spare Vandoren B40 mouthpiece which I will also try.

Playability - The instrument is very, very even throughout the whole range and the often out of tune throat notes are an absolute dream. Never played a clarinet as even as this one - it is just lovely! I was also surprised at this - I expected it to be a bit wayward (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The dynamic range is absolutely outstanding and is very responsive. I did find my right hand was quite uncomfortable. However, this could be because I have got used to using an adjustable thumbrest. I'm sure it can be played with to achieve comfort.

I found the instrument was a more bright sound than the dark sound often associated with English clarinets (e.g. B&H 1010 etc.) though I think the Howarth is a French bore instrument?

Conclusions so far ....
It's a very different instrument than a Buffet RC / R13 or a "precise is everything" Japanese Yamaha but I like it. It certainly suits my love of a character clarinet. I'm not a big Yamaha fan as far as clarinets go - they are too much does what it says on the tin and that doesn't seem to inspire me.

Would I pick a Howarth over a Buffet equivelent that is harder for me to answer. I would not pick it over the fantastic Pre-R13 I played despite the fact the Pre-R13 did not have an even scale but I could forgive it the throat notes for the rest of the instrument. The problem with Buffets as we said earlier they vary in quality so I'm not sure.

Not to forget that this clarinet owes me less than ?200 and that stands even if I change the thumbrest. Honestly, I don't think you could pick a bargain like that up again in 10 years! It does not in any way play like a "?200" clarinet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)