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Glenn Kantor: noted teacher, principal clarinet- The Sound Symphony, Alto saxophone/Clarinet- The Big Band East. Said: This new clarinet seeks to incorporate "mechanical and functional changes" for the sole purpose of making a clarinet that finally addresses the common shortfalls that plague most student quality instruments. My initial impression....is that "this will be a most exciting advancement over what is current available from any other manufacturer of student line instruments." No detail has been left to chance: Keys have been ergonomically designed and are very user friendly. The "No-Jam bridge key is an ingenious idea which totally eliminates the possibility of a student assembling the clarinet incorrectly and doing damage to the bridge area. The Sure Optical Fit Alignment System (SOFAS) guarantees that the clarinet will be assembled and aligned perfectly each and every time. [the] barrel...helps with tuning, focus and intonation of the throat tones. The mouthpiece provided is...an exceptionally fine mouthpiece for a student line clarinet. The clarinet... "plays exceptionally easy with excellent intonation." I used some of my own mouthpieces (Kaspar, Borbeck, Vandoren crystal) as well as the enclosed Gennusa mouthpiece. All were compatible and kept the tuning very much in control. With the enclosed mouthpiece and barrel the clarinet plays a perfect A=440. The key action is quiet, secure and definitely will be friendly to young students. The combination of the Gennusa mouthpiece and Moennig style barrel nicely focuses the throat register while delivering a warm, responsive sound. The undercut tone holes greatly help with the intonation. Tuning was precise and there were no notes wildly out of tune or out of character. ... This is a very solid feeling clarinet which will certainly withstand the rigors of beginning students. The bridge key design... "is an innovation which is long overdue." Key quality, springs, rods, and pads (waterproof white kid leather) all seem to be much better than are normally seen in student line instruments. My impression is that this is a clarinet that will stay in adjustment far longer than most (if not all) clarinets currently available. Extras - The case is light weight, yet very smart and functional. ...An additional exciting optional feature of the clarinet is the "Power Barrel". This barrel has a revolutionary design (pat. pending) which adds projection and volume to the sound (Yes - I know it sounds unbelieveable, but it works!) It delivers a loud, full sound due to the concave cone shape and a nickel plated brass sleeve with resonance ports. My overall impression is really one word: "Finally" Finally someone has addressed the weaknesses found in student line clarinets and solved the problems in a logical, innovative way, while improving the over all product. This is going to be an exciting new entry into the clarinet market and one which will definitely get the attention of the "Big 4" as to design changes. I played this... for many hours and felt totally at home with it and although ideal for inclement weather or outdoor situations, "I would have no problem playing it in any professional setting. " It is a clarinet that certainly does not feel or play like any student line instrument currently available....
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