Klarinet Archive - Posting 000688.txt from 1995/10

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: R-13 Price?
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 1995 00:00:40 -0400

Nate,
Look in any mail-order catalogue. You'll see that their prices
are around $1500 for the R-13. However, you should be aware that
professional instruments are notorious for being inconsistent in
quality. So you should try to find a store which has a selection of at
least 3-4 on hand (and which has a decent price). If you do mail-order
you are taking your chances and it takes forever to try out different
horns because you can get only one or two at a time. Where are you
located? There are some very reasonable stores in the Northeast which have
large selections. As for having work done, the same rule applies--some
horns are well-adjusted and others have bad pads, sticky springs, etc. In
general, the pads Buffet uses are not quite as good as those a good
repairman will use, and since instruments sometimes sit around for months
while the pads dry out or warp, it is a good idea to have a repairman
tune instrument up as soon as you can afford to have it done. One more
thing: be careful to play it for only a half-an-hour a day for the first
two or three weeks. Otherwise, I am told, you will probably crack the
instrument.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Wed, 18 Oct 1995, Nate wrote:

> I've only bought one professional model before, so maybe you guys can help
> me out as I invest in my second:
>
> First of all, how much should I pay for a brand new Buffet R-13 b-flat, and
> what kind work should be done on it once I buy it. A lot of people recommend
> replacing the pads with synthetics right away, but is this really necessary?
>
> --Nate
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> "After a year in therapy, my psychiatrist said to me, 'Maybe life isn't for
> everyone.'" -- Larry Brown
>
> http://www.iii.net/users/nathan
> --------------------------------------------------------
>