Well most of this unbalance you talk of is the unbalance in the AD&D rules. Some character types are just better at single play then others. Clerics will always be one of the best in single play due to the their okay attack, healing spells and ability to wear heavy armours. Remember these characters were meant to be played in groups, between 4 and 6. In groups a mage, bard and other weaker characters have a lot to offer, by themselves they are too squishy and often die.
I don't really get what you mean by fighter items though, since anything a figther could use many other classes can use too. I don't know much about Bards in AD&D, but in 3rd edition they can wield most weapons and leather armour.
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