Martin Freres E34 Sopranino Eb Clarinet

Martin Freres Model E-34A Eb Soprano (Sopranino) Clarinet

The Model E-34A, with the 35mm Grenadilla Wood barrel, was reviewed by independent clarinet reviewer, Phil Pedlar, of ClarinetPages.net. Although our customers have been telling us how much they enjoy playing their new Efer, this was our first independent and unbiased professional review of the mini clarinet.

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Here is a partial copy of the review:

Martin Freres Eb

Serial #E34-1242 MFG. 04-2014 This is called Sopranino Model E-34

Barrel: 34.9mm wooden [with Bb Reed Acceptor], 36.5mm hard rubber.

Bore LH joint top: 13.1mm

This is made of Ebonite (hard rubber). Everything came in plastic bags that were sealed on both ends, even the bell. It looks like no one has touched this since it was wrapped at the factory.

Martin Freres Eb

Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping.

For this test, I used the longer barrel (hard rubber) and I did not pull at the barrel.

High register		Android Pitch-Lab
	F	N/A
	E	N/A
	D	I couldn’t get higher than this with this reed and mouthpiece.
	C	-2
	B	2
	B-flat	0
	A	-5
Mid
	G	0
	F	0
	E	5
	D	1
	C	2
	B	-4
Throat tones
	Bb	-21 / 14 using the right trill key
	A	10
	G	12
	F	0
	E	2
Chalumeau
	D	11
	C	12 but easily lip-pable down to 0
	B-flat	9
	A	17 Even this can be lip-ped into tune!
	G	0
	F	-6
	E	3

Intonation summary: The A above the staff on this is only slightly flat, and above that is not flat. I noticed also that I was able, with this mouthpiece to easily lower the sharp notes in the low register. One can do this way more than the corresponding notes on the Bb.

Mouthpiece: This mouthpiece seems rather open, and that works well with the somewhat soft reed that came with this. The clarinet came with an excellent retro-look ligature.

Key work quality: Excellent!

This clarinet is most appropriate for: Anyone needing an Eb. This is a GREAT DEAL!

For the entire review of this and many other clarinets, visit: ClarinetPages.net