Klarinet Archive - Posting 000270.txt from 1995/06

From: Roel de Vrijer <rdv@-----.NL>
Subj: R13, RC and Festival
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 1995 11:34:13 -0400

In response to a number of posts on the differences between
R13, RC and Festival clarinets from Buffet Crampon the following.

Recently I visited a demonstration of Buffet clarinets that
was given by Walter Boeykens.

He told that he himself prefers and plays the Festival, and that
that model is very close to the Prestige. It is supposed to perform
better in concert halls. Boeykens is a magnificent player of
the classical repertoire, so I would not consider the Festival as a
typical Jazz instrument.

As to the difference between R13 and RC, Boeykens said that the main
difference was pitch. He did not say that that was the only difference,
but that could very well be.
The R13 is made for the American market, tuned at A 440.
The RC is for Europe, where orchestras normally play some-
where in the range of 442-444. As a matter of fact, my (amateur)
chamber symphony orchestra plays at 442.

I have never seen an R13 in my life, and the first time I heard about
its existence was through this list.

Roel de Vrijer
Amsterdam