If you are looking to improve your clarinet performance with the finest clarinets on the market, one of the best places to look is Ridenour. So, what sets them apart from the rest, and which ones are best?
Having played a good number of clarinets over the last decade and a half, I have come to know the feel and play of many brands. Ridenour clarinets are easily some of my favorites, mostly because they feature a durable build and deliver great sound no matter their class. I have used several pieces for multiple performances, but some have stood out more than others. So, which one should you buy and why? Here is a list, breakdown, and review of some of the best Ridenour clarinets.
The Best Ridenour Clarinets Comparison Table
| Product Name | Class | Build Material | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridenour Lyrique AureA A Clarinet | A | Hard rubber, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
| Ridenour Lyrique 575 Libertas II A Clarinet | A | Hard rubber, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
| Ridenour Lyrique 576 Bb Clarinet | Bb | Hard rubber, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
| Ridenour Lyrique Noblissima | Bb | Hard rubber, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
| Ridenour Lyrique 570C | C | Hard rubber, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
| Ridenour Lyrique 925CS Low C Bass Clarinet | Low C | Ebony, silver-plated class | Buy Here |
The Best Ridenour Clarinets Products Reviews
Ridenour Lyrique AureA A Clarinet – Best suited for playing upper registers
This clarinet was one of the first Ridenour pieces ever made, but it was later redesigned to give it loads more finesse. The revamp did not only result in a better build but also in a massive improvement in performance.
Key features
- Made using hard rubber
- Comes with silver-plated keys
- Gold posts
- Leather pads
- In-line trill class
- Class A clarinet
If you are looking to purchase a class A clarinet that combines both high-quality build and stellar performance, you might want to consider getting this model. It is one of the best Ridenour has to offer, thanks to the high quality of sound it delivers when played. The instrument is made using natural hard rubber which allows it a good deal of strength and durability, especially because it does not break or damage easily.
Apart from the clarinet having a strong and durable barrel, it is also made using silver-plated keys. The actual keys are made from copper, nickel, and zinc alloy which makes them very strong and durable, meaning that they can withstand a good amount of pressure for a long time. This material gives them a good level of sturdiness, allowing them an adequate level of longevity. To improve the keys’ aesthetic value, however, they are plated with silver which gives them a beautiful luster.
As earlier mentioned, this instrument is made to offer remarkably high-quality sound. Many users have been surprised at how clear and bold it sounds, and this alone has contributed to the instrument’s popularity in a big way. One of the most unbecoming characteristics of many class A clarinets from many other brands is just how much blow resistance they come with. The Ridenour Lyrique AureA A Clarinet is highly responsive, delivering lots of resonance, clarity, and a liquid-tone quality.
When playing upper clarion tones, you will notice that they are much fuller and more rounded, but that they have a good level of stability. This particular model does not come with the characteristic grunt of many others which is quite impressive.
What we liked;
- Strong and durable barrel
- Keys can handle lots of pressure
- Silver-plated keys
- High-quality tone production
- Easy register transformation
What we did not like;
- This clarinet is not cheap
Verdict
This clarinet combines class, a robust build, and good quality sound production to allow you to deliver great performances with every play. While it may be a bit on the expensive side, it will be well worth your money.
Ridenour Lyric 575 Libertas II A Clarinet – Excellent for playing in loud concerts
One of the things that stand out the most about this clarinet is just how fragile it looks. Do not, however, be deceived. What it lacks in menacing looks it makes up for in the volume of sound it produces, and it is glorious, to say the least.
Key features
- Class A clarinet
- Made using natural hard rubber (ebonite)
- Silver-plated keys
- Very loud
- Strong and durable
- Comes with a cushioned case
Just like the Ridenour Lyrique AureA A Clarinet, this particular model had been produced before. It, however, was given a major revamp and was re-introduced into the market with a better build, sharper look, and greater performance. It is, for these reasons, one of the most popular class A clarinets among both amateurs and professionals.
Like many Ridenour clarinets, the Ridenour Lyrique 575 Libertas II A Clarinet is made from natural hard rubber, also commonly referred to as ebonite. This material is very strong and durable, a feature that translates to hardiness and longevity where your clarinet is concerned. When it comes to the keys, they are made using an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel, making them also very strong. They are, however, plated with silver which gives them a characteristic sheen that pops against the pitch-black ebonite on the instrument.
One of the reasons why this clarinet is popular is the kind of tones it produces. You will notice that it carries a warmth that is velvety and smooth, making it an excellent tool for musical pieces that do not call for extreme sound sharpness. Even though it is smooth, warm, and velvety, however, it is able to belt out very loud sounds that will have it stand out in a musical arrangement with many heavy instruments. This loudness does not take from the clarity of the instrument, though.
To make traveling with this clarinet easy, and to keep it from being easily damaged when not in use, it comes with a Protec ProPac double case. The inside is lined with a soft and smooth velvet-like fabric that cushions the instrument against heavy impact and which keeps the clarinet from getting easily scratched.
What we liked
- Strong and durable build
- Ideal for beginners and pros
- Can be loud
- Sound is clear and smooth
- Comes with a double-padded case
What we did not like
- It is very expensive
Verdict
Even though this clarinet is considerably more expensive than the Ridenour Lyrique AureA A Clarinet, it manages to offer its users better sound quality, and is ideal for musical pieces that have a wide range of loud instruments.
Ridenour Lyrique 575 Bb Clarinet – Ideal for producing warm tones
When making their clarinets, Ridenour makes sure to test each one for quality by hand. Tom Ridenour himself plays every piece produced to make sure it meets the right standards, and this specific model is no exception.
Key features
- Class Bb clarinet
- Made from natural hard rubber
- Produces warm tones
- Polycylindrical bore design
- Strong and durable
As mentioned, each piece from Ridenour is inspected before release, and that is why buyers only get the best. The Ridenour Lyrique 575 Bb Clarinet is one of the finest class Bb clarinets in the market, and that is because it is made to deliver outstanding quality with every performance.
This clarinet had initially been produced for use in various types of music, but its design went through a major revamp that made it a stronger and better-sounding instrument.
One of the features that stand out the most about it is its poly cylindrical bore design which increases tonal depth. In addition, it provides a steady balance that keeps blow resistance at a minimum, and the transitions from register to register remain smooth each time you play.
For durability, this clarinet is made using natural hard rubber or ebonite which gives it the ability to outlast wooden clarinets. Because of its nature, hard rubber has the capacity to withstand multiple environments such as extremely hot, cold, dry, and even humid conditions. For this reason, this clarinet will not damage easily. Apart from being durable, natural hard rubber also comes with a generous level of resonance, and it also promotes tonal warmth. This material is one of the main reasons why the Ridenour Lyrique 575 Bb Clarinet sounds so good.
The mechanism on this clarinet is made using an alloy of nickel and silver which make every component very strong and durable.
What we liked;
- High-quality build
- Produces warm tones
- Very strong and durable
- Silver-coated mechanism
- Polycylindrical bore
What we did not like;
- This instrument is pricey
Verdict
Seeing as it is an instrument that packs a good amount of resonance and tonal warmth, it is excellent to play in multiple settings, and you can be sure it will stand out. The fact that it is a durable gadget adds to its advantages.
Ridenour Lyrique Noblissima – Excellent for professional use
One of the most fascinating features of this clarinet is the mechanism with which it comes. This instrument spells class and also delivers a stellar performance, making it an easy pick for both beginners and pros.
Key features
- Class Bb clarinet
- Made from natural hard rubber
- Fitted with a silverplated mechanism
- Leblanc-style in-line
- Comes with hard-shell case
The Ridenour Lyrique Noblissima is one of the company’s latest improvements, and this is largely why it delivers loads of tonal quality. This clarinet boasts exceptional tonal warmth that carries lots of clarity when it is played, even in intense arrangements.
One of this instrument’s biggest selling points is the build quality of its mechanism. Each part is made from silver and nickel alloy, and this allows them longevity and strength. Parts such as the keys support lengthy play because they do not break or wear off easily. On the barrel, this instrument features hard rubber material. This gives it a good amount of strength which keeps it from sustaining easy damage, even when subjected to certain levels of impact. In addition, the material gives the instrument the capacity to handle sudden temperature and humidity changes since it maintains its integrity and does not easily break or get damaged.
To make sure that it also stays protected when you are traveling with it, this clarinet comes with a hard-shell case that is lined with soft velvet-like material. The case makes sure that the instrument does not break from extreme impact, and the soft velvet keeps the parts from scratching against each other.
Apart from the case, this clarinet also comes with a 64mm barrel.
What we liked;
- Exceptionally strong build
- Great tone quality
- Comes with a silver-plated mechanism
- Comes with a hard-shell case
- Additional 64mm barrel
What we did not like;
- Not suitable for beginners
Verdict
If you are a professional looking for a great class Bb clarinet, you might want to grab this model. It is great for anyone looking to play music with rich tones with ease.
Ridenour Lyric 570C – Best suited for professional performers
Many clarinetists shy away from playing clarinets pitched in C, and this is largely because most of them produce very thin tones that are hard to balance, and that can be harsh to the ears. This, however, is quite the exception.
Key features
- Made using ebonite
- Class C clarinet
- Silver-plated mechanism
- Comes with hard-shell case
- Ideal for pro clarinetists
As a class C clarinet, the Ridenour lyric 570C makes a bit of a statement, and only confident professionals are comfortable approaching it. Many class C clarinets are troublesome to play, and this is largely because they produce shrill sounds, especially when they are poorly tuned.
This model in particular, however, overcomes this challenge, thanks to its ingenious design and build.
When it comes to build material, it features ebonite which is strong and durable. In addition, ebonite offers incredible resonance as well as pitch balance which results in tonal stability every time you play. One of the reasons why this clarinet is very popular is the fact that it is not just good, but that it is a better instrument than many Bb clarinets available in the market. You can actually use a Bb clarinet’s mouthpiece with the class C clarinet if you like.
Due to its stellar performance, this instrument has been used on many occasions including the Santa Fe Opera, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the Toronto Chamber Orchestra.
What we liked;
- Strong and durable build
- Incredible balancing for tonal clarity and warmth
- Offers great resonance
- You can use a class Bb mouthpiece
What we did not like;
- Only ideal for professional clarinetists
Verdict
If you are a professional clarinetist looking to change things up, you will be happy with this clarinet. Even though expensive, it is well worth your time and money.
Ridenour Lyrique 925CS Low C Bass Clarinet – Best suited for deep tones
You might think it a regular clarinet, but this instrument has an incredibly low register that makes it stand out when played in musical sets.
Key features
- Class C clarinet
- Made from ebonite
- Comes with silver-coated ebonite keys
- Offers great tonal depth
- Comes with hard-shell case
Low C bass clarinets are relatively uncommon, and this is largely because not many pro players actively include them in their sets. This instrument makes an exceptional tool because it has characteristic deep tones that cannot be played by any other clarinet.
For clarity, tonal warmth, and excellent resonance, the clarinet is made using ebonite. This material also goes a long way in making sure that the instrument lasts a long time without sustaining damage.
This clarinet comes with a hard-shell case that is lined with soft and smooth velvet-like fabric which is excellent for keeping the instrument from any form of damage, especially when you are traveling or moving about with it.
What we liked;
- It is a class C clarinet
- Offers lots of resonance and tonal balance
- Comes with a hard-shell case
What we did not like;
- The price could be lower
Verdict
If you are a professional who is looking to incorporate a new clarinet sound to musical arrangements, you should definitely consider getting this model.
Buying Ridenour Clarinet – What to consider
Class
Clarinets are categorized into classes, and it is important that you pick one based on the class you prefer, or the class your next piece is going to be in. Do not be afraid to venture into uncommon keys such as C and low C.
Build material
Even though there are many wooden clarinets out there, they do not have the capacity to outlive ebonite instruments. Ebonite gives better tones and lasts a lot longer.
Your level as a player
If you are just starting out, try and get a clarinet that is easier to play such as class A and Bb clarinets. If a professional, however, try as best as you can to venture into class C and low C to grow your expertise.
Verdict
Ridenour clarinets offer loads of high-quality products that everyone can try. Whether you are a beginner or a professional clarinetist, there is something for you. With them, you can be sure of great sound quality, durability, and the opportunity to grow your skill with world-class instruments.
FAQs
Is ebonite the same thing as hard rubber?
Yes, ebonite and hard rubber are the same material.
Does the Ridenour Lyrique 570C offer high blow resistance?
No, it does not. It is made to be highly responsive and easy to play.
Charlotte Moore
Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. And while a majority of clarinet players are well versed with the process of settling with a good clarinet among other accompanying features. There is little information about clarinets. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. The consolidated information will offer more insight on everything clarinets including the best stand to use, and the best plastic clarinet that you can invest in, among other information. Charlotte Moore is a devoted mother of two and a professional clarinet player.