Whether you are purchasing a clarinet for someone in your life or yourself, it is important to choose the best option available. The Hisonic 2610 Bb clarinet is among the myriad of options available.
Hisonic Signature clarinets are well-known for their excellent playability, which I enjoy as a music teacher. This is particularly important if you are buying it for a student or beginner, as they learn to play the instrument in an orchestral or band setting. While it may cost higher compared to most student clarinets, most people will tell you that it is worth the price.
In this review, we will look at the Signature Series 2610 Bb clarinet to see if it fits your requirements and needs, so keep reading to see if it works for you.
Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestra Clarinet Breakdown and Review
A first look at this clarinet reveals it has a professional feel and appearance, as it is very impressive in build and design. Although it is comprised of ebonite, the appearance looks similar to professional clarinets that use premium wood as their main material. This makes it more expensive compared to most beginner-level clarinets on the market, but its premium quality will easily make it worth investing in.
It has a very strong casing and includes all the important accessories you will need for playing the instrument, such as the mouthpiece with a strong reed protector and a strong body. Its keys are comprised of silver and plated with nickel, making them comfortable to use and protecting them from rust or environmental damage, and also producing a bright tone that many students will enjoy.
The clarinet also includes a one-year limited warranty that gives you peace of mind for a whole year after buying it.
What we liked
- Produces a bright tone that is great for clarinet learners
- Includes a very good quality hard case
- Very good value for money, and lasts for a long time
- The keys feel comfortable to play
What we didn’t like
- Quite expensive compared to other student clarinets
Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestral Clarinet Specifications
Criteria | Specifications |
Dimensions (in inches) | 13.11 x 10.04 x 4.29 inches |
Material | Ebonite |
Keys | Nickel-plated silver |
Instrument key | B Flat |
Level of proficiency | Beginner, Intermediate |
Musical styles it caters to | Jazz band, Marching band, Orchestras |
Check price | Check price here |
Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb orchestral clarinet Features
Body
The clarinet has an ebonite body, which is a natural hard rubber material. Its name comes from its purpose; it was an alternative to Ebony wood, a hardwood originating from Central Africa. This makes it an excellent alternative for people looking for wood-like instruments that are affordable without sacrificing quality, as flute makers from the 1800s eventually discovered.
In most cases, ebonite is used in the mouthpieces of clarinets and saxophones, and it is a durable material that is hardly affected by humidity and temperature changes. However, it is more expensive compared to wood, although the cost is offset by the beautiful tonal qualities and deep resonance it has.
The Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb clarinet is made from ebonite, which makes it sound amazing, similar to a wood clarinet. This material also makes it very strong, and a beginner or intermediate player can learn to take care of it for many years – especially if the beginner is an adult or teen player.
Keys
Like most student and intermediate-level clarinets, the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb clarinet is comprised of nickel-silver keys. This gives it a shiny appearance when it is polished, but the keys remain durable due to the nickel plating. They are also ergonomic, so it is possible to use the clarinet in a long playing session without tiring your fingers.
However, this may not allow you or the player to transition with it to a professional level, as nickel plating tends to promote nickel skin allergies as the material gets older – these can include skin irritations.
An interesting aspect of it is the addition of Prestini pads. These are unique instrument pads that are quite expensive, and this can be a justification for the expensive price tag the clarinet carries and makes it worth investing in if you plan to use it for a long time.
Pads
The pads on the Hisonic 2610 Bb orchestral clarinet are made from leather, which is a practical material compared to most types. The bases consist of a round cardboard plate, while the middle is a felt plate; the exterior then has a soft, thin leather coating to protect the inner parts.
Leather pads are great because they are tightly fixed, work excellently, and can tolerate minor key imperfections due to their adaptation abilities. You will find them easy to fix and remove when they need cleaning, and they will not need much maintenance.
However, the problem begins when they become too old, as the leather weakens and becomes more brittle over time. When this happens, the pads require servicing at this point – this is also true if you have sweaty hands and the leather gets wet frequently. Therefore, a good rule to follow is to replace them at least once a year if you use the clarinet frequently (between 5 and 10 hours a week at minimum), and after 2 years if you play less frequently.
Who is it best suited for?
If you are searching for a versatile clarinet that is well-suited to beginners and your budget does not have any limits, the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb is what you are looking for. Its ebonite body makes it durable enough to handle demanding usage from beginners, and it comes in a hard case that protects it from environmental damage.
Are there alternatives to the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestral Clarinet?
Yes, there are alternatives if you need an orchestral-style clarinet for beginners. The best options are the Jean-Paul CL-300 student clarinet if you want a high-quality beginner clarinet on a budget and the Yamaha YCL-255 clarinet is an ABS Resin option that can withstand the tough use from both younger and older players. You can also check out the Buffet Crampon E11 Wood clarinet if you are purchasing the instrument for an adult learner, as the wood material will not suit a young player.
Features of alternative Orchestral clarinets
Clarinet | Jean-Paul USA CL-300 Student clarinet | Yamaha YCL-255 Clarinet | Buffet Crampon E11 clarinet |
Key | B Flat | B Flat | B Flat |
Key system | Boehm 17-key | Boehm 17-key | Boehm 17-key |
Body material | Ebonite | ABS Resin | Stained African blackwood |
Keys | Nickel | Nickel | Silver |
Dimensions (in inches) | 15 x 9.5 x 6 inches | 14.6 x 12.2 x 5.9 inches | 14 x 10.8 x 4.3 inches |
Check price | Check price here | Check price here | Check price here |
Verdict: So, should you buy the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb orchestral clarinet?
In one word, yes. This clarinet is an excellent choice for beginners or intermediate learners, and it has plenty of attributes you will love such as the high-quality material and sound quality. The only drawback is the high pricing, but if budgets are not a deal-breaker for you, you should get it.
FAQs
Does the Hisonic Signature Series 2610 clarinet include a hard case?
Yes, it does. The case is also durable, and it has an excellent latching mechanism.
Is the Hisonic 2610 clarinet good for a whole school year?
Yes, it is – it can even last for as long as two to three years.