Royal Global Classical Limited Bb Clarinet
Royal Global Classical Limited Bb Clarinet
The Classical Limited is Royal's entry-professional model — real Grenadilla, polycylindrical bore, and features you'd expect at higher price points: left-hand Ab/Eb key, two barrels (64mm and 65mm), silver-plated keys. It's our best-selling Royal, and it's not hard to see why. (For the full Yuan Gao story, see the MAX product page.)
At this price you're looking at this clarinet and Uebel Advantage. The Uebel is a terrific instrument, and it's a hard comparison to make. Both Royal and Uebel season their wood naturally — no kilns. That matters: we don't see as much cracking or joint issues that plague some other makers' instruments. The Classical Limited runs a little more resistant than the free-blowing Advantage. So, different animals at similar price points.
The dashboard data backs up the quality: remarkably tight scale, solid 12ths. Like the MAX, 3-finger C drops in pitch when crescendoing (that word looks really weird in print) from pp to ff — not surprising, since they share a similar bore design. Articulation is a strong suit — crisp, even response. Tonally medium-dark, consistent color across registers.
For the money, this is a lot of clarinet. Highly recommended.
Resistance: 6/10, Medium
Playing this instrument, I find it to be a bit more on the resistant side. This is good for players who like the clarinet to "push back" a bit. Now, some might say this is not how you want a clarinet to feel, but if you look at players like Ricardo Morales, who plays on an extremely resistant setup, you'll see that many players use the resistance to their advantage. They can push, and the clarinet holds its own.
In general, more resistance in a clarinet design usually keeps the louder dynamic ranges from spreading; the clarinet "holds its core" and focus, but will provide a smaller dynamic range (on both ends, loud and soft) and smaller color palette. A less resistant clarinet typically provides a much wider tonal palette to choose from, but will require more control from the player to control pitch and sound consistency.
When listening for how a clarinet responds to added air pressure and embouchure control, listen to the Weber example (wide dynamic range and color range), then the Berlioz excerpt (wide dynamic range, but narrow color range), and finally the Gershwin excerpt (narrow dynamic range and narrow color range). You will hear how these clarinets respond — for better or worse! — to my input as a clarinet player.
NEW!
View & compare detailed tuning, articulation and timbre data for every clarinet we carry.
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64mm & 65mm Barrels
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Silver-plated keys and posts
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Mouthpiece & Ligature
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Adjustable thumb rest.
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Single soft-sided case with handle and strap
FAQ
Short answer: All earspasm instruments come with a 7-day trial. Please read my trial policy before pulling out that credit card.
Medium answer: You have 7 days from the date of receipt to try the clarinet. If you don't like it, that's fine (my feelings aren't hurt!) — just let me know and I will send you a return label. Box it all up and send it back. We keep 5% to cover credit card transaction fees and a (hopefully!) brief round trip back to Miles or John — my technicians — to do a reset on the horn.
Long answer: Read my trial policy :)
Yes, it comes with the standard Royal Global warranty. If you ever have any problem with the instrument, I'm your quarterback. I'll take care of the whole process, just let me know you need help, and I'll take it from there.
Inspect the package before you sign off at delivery! If there are any issues resulting from shipping, we have taken out an insurance policy to cover damage (and loss). But we need you to document this damage or we can't do anything to help. Please read my trial policy for how to handle this issue, should it arise.
Not if you live in the Continental US! Because I want you to find the right instrument for you, and doing so online is harder than doing so in-person, I will cover the return shipping. Please read my trial policy for trial and return rules.
Yes. You can add your shipping address when checking out to see what the shipping costs will be before taking the plunge. Note that VAT and Customs Duties are not included in this cost.
Contact me to set up an appointment, and let's do it!
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Listen and Compare Audio Excerpts
I don't want to go on and on. I really don't but I must tell you about the time I spent with Michael Lowenstern at his Brooklyn clarinet studio. In just a few words, it was beyond anything I expected or even imagined. (I drove from Boston to Brooklyn and back in one day. it was exhilarating.)
First, a few words on Michael. This amazing and magical man, a gift to the clarinet community, has forgotten more about clarinets than most people will ever know. Knowledgeable, funny and there to help, he is simply the perfect host to what was for me, a very important event as buying the wrong clarinet was my biggest fear. Michael promised me that would not happen and he was right on the money. When I walked out at the end of the day, I felt as though I made a friend. I hope he feels that way as well.
His studio, large, well lit and comfortable, is a perfect place to test play clarinets and test play clarinets I did. Not less than nine or ten that he opened, assembled and laid out on quad clarinet stands at my feet. It is clarinet heaven. (I wanted to move in.) Long story short, I slowly and carefully played each one trying to find the new love of my life. Some I though I would love did not feel exactly as I had hoped. Others I was unsure of, were good yet above all, my hands down favorite was the Royal Global Classical Limited Bb Clarinet.
As soon as I picked up this clarinet, I was amazed. The keyword is wonderful. Like it was made just for my hands. The tone, the feel and the overall playing experience all seems to blend and sing in a way that makes playing it a joy. I urge you to not let the price fool you. Did I buy it? Not yet. I needed time to think and talk with my teacher but as I struggled to make a decision at the end of the day, Michael told me to take my time and think about it. Hardly a high pressure sales pitch. All I can say is that I urge you to try this clarinet and see if you feel as I do. If not, Michael has many others that are also fine instruments for you to play.
As for the purchase of any great clarinet, where you buy it is very important. I urge you to read "WHY GET YOUR INSTRUMENT HERE?" which is located at https://www.earspasm.com/why-earspasm. Compare it to your usual music store; your usual buying experience. I suspect you will find it to be a night and day difference.
Let me say this in closing. Twenty-five years ago, I ran into Manhattan to meet Joseph Heller and have him sign my original copy of Catch-22. It is a day I will never forget. Similar to that, I will never forget my time with Michael. If you are in the market for a great clarinet, I urge you to go to www.earspausm.com and look around as Michael has created an amazing experience and he is there to help you just as he helped me. Tell him Howie sent you.