Customer ratings for Classic Cantabile CLK-20 B Plastic Clarinet German Fingering

I'm a little frustrated that the price was reduced so drastically shortly after I bought it, but otherwise I'm very happy with the instrument. As recommended by another customer, I put on my "good" mouthpiece and a wooden bulb and find the sound - as well as the feel and look - amazingly good. It's definitely good enough for our brass ensemble at the Christmas market. Brisker bebop pieces, which I usually try my hand at, are difficult at best, but that could also be down to me.
I can therefore recommend the plastic clarinet as an additional instrument for outdoor use.

The clarinet is as I imagined am very satisfied.

I am very satisfied with the Classic Cantabile CLK-20 Bb clarinet, German system, considering the quality of the instrument in relation to the reasonable price.

The short notes of the clarinet intonate well, are quite full and resonant; the clarinet produces a surprisingly round and overtone-rich sound in all registers. (For a few problem notes, see below.) Of particular note, the clarinet is really well tuned overall for a plastic clarinet in the 440-442 Hz range. The action is solid enough for beginners, but also for advanced players who want to use the clarinet for assignments in the rain and cold. I personally use it for outdoor use and church concerts in the winter with a professional mouthpiece (Wurlitzer FO or Playnick B1) and a cocobolo bulb with best success. Even as a beginner, you should immediately replace the mouthpiece supplied with the clarinet with a good mouthpiece for German system, which will cost approx. 80-190 Euros new, depending on the manufacturer (e.g. ESM, Vandoren, Wurlitzer, Playnick, Maxton, Gleichweit). This investment is worth it in any case.

Without much effort this setup could be improved by replacing the plastic bulb and possibly also the plastic cup of the clarinet with grenadilla or cocobolo counterparts. At the very least, replacing the plastic bulb with a high-quality wooden bulb raises the clarinet's overall sound to a surprisingly high level. Perhaps the Kirstein company could give some thought to whether there is a market for such a variant and whether the Chinese manufacturers could not produce such a supplement at a reasonable price. Backun in Canada already offers such alternatives (in an admittedly somewhat higher-priced, but still affordable variant) for their Backun Alpha Boehm system.

As an ambitious amateur clarinetist, formerly also semi-professional, I have some suggestions for improvement. The following weak points I have been able to find in two different CLK-20 to the same extent; I therefore assume that these are minor design difficulties on the part of the manufacturer:

1. the cork under the left jack for the f#/c#2 is too thin, not well glued and falls off after a short time. This can cause the jack to jump out of the guide. A better - perhaps directly below the lifter - attached, thicker cork could work wonders here and can be attached quickly.

The notes f#2, f2 and e2 resonate worse than necessary, they stuff a little. With a little skill, the player can compensate for this, but perhaps the manufacturer should think about how to solve this particular problem directly.

Two more suggestions:

3. the E-flat jack should be replaced with an F-flat jack. As far as I can see, most clarinetists with a German system like to use the F jack, rarely just the Eb jack.

4) I still don't understand the use of the white gloves that come with all Asian low budget instruments. Could this superfluous extra not be replaced by a high-quality wiper or similar?

Verdict: Despite two minor problems that can be fixed, I would prefer the Classic Cantabile CLK-20 Bb clarinet, German system, when compared to other current plastic products. It is an inexpensive, mechanically solidly built and intonationally balanced clarinet with which one can produce a beautiful, pleasant tone.

Our daughter regularly uses a Schreiber clarinet.
This one made of ebonite serves as a replacement and primarily for playing outdoors.
Fulfills exactly the intended purpose, as expected.

Faced with the choice of having my 25 year old clarinet (German brand, 21 keys, used in a wind orchestra mainly in the 1st clarinet, purchase price at the time approx. 2000 DM) overhauled (which can be quite costly) or buying a new one, I came across this offer.
To my great surprise (otherwise I would have sent the instrument back): Pads (sunk into the key heads and not just glued on flat), cork (intelligently the connection with the adjustment screws is solved), mechanics - everything top and cleanly processed. When using my previous mouthpiece: Intonation and sound impeccable. Long-term experience is of course not yet available - but any "quirk susceptibility" is not apparent.

Great instrument made of ebonite. Can be played super. Fast delivery and great value for money.

I wanted to buy a clarinet again after years, searched for a long time and found it here. Previously I had a Yamaha real wood. DIese looks the same and also plays very nice. Above all, it is easier to care for than the wood versions. And the price for such a great instrument is simply unbeatable.
I would buy it again and again.
I am totally thrilled.

The would has arrived well. However, it would have been good if a description of the model of the clarinet had been included.
My daughter has already had the first lesson with her teacher and it is fun to play. The teacher rated this clarinet good for starting out as not too much money has to be spent.
For the entry as a beginner a good price performance ratio.

I have chosen this rating because from my point of view there is nothing to complain about.
The delivery was very fast and the clarinet is nicely packaged in a small case

Dear Sirs,

I am personally satisfied with the clarinet. I had a rental clarinet before and I almost fainted after 5 minutes. Now the notes come out more easily. In order to make a final judgement or to be able to give one, I am waiting for the judgement of my clarinet teacher. If the opinion is that the o.k. is, then I keep it.

Otherwise I like it very much. The notes come out well. But I'm a beginner. Otherwise everything was o.k. The delivery service has worked and also the info when people come.

With kind regards
Almuth Schiemann