Klarinet Archive - Posting 000435.txt from 1995/12

From: Dave Lane <davelane@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Cracked Clarinet
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 20:42:34 -0500

The Evette-Schaffer Clarinet (E-13) is dimensionally the same as the R-13,
and rumor says that they are from the same assembly line, but those
instruments that failed to meet some standard. I've been told that it might
be as minor as an ugly wood grain. They are part-for-part the same as the
R-13 except for 4 keys: the B/f#
(rh sliver key) , which is visibly different, but still interchangeable) and
the F/C, F#/C#, and E/B keys, of which I can see no difference.

These are great horns for students, and any given E-13 might be a better
horn than some R-13's, and I can give examples in my own experience. These
are often found in Pawn shops for a song; Pawn owners know to charge a lot
for a Buffet, but don't know about Evette-Schaffer.

Don't confuse the Evette-Schaffer (which is considered an intermediate
model) with the various Evette models out there, which are beginner horns.

The E-13 is being sold again, after being discontinued for years, but
carries the Buffet name. Don't know if the quality of the new instruments
compares with the older models.

A bell crack is difficult to pin because the wood is so thin. If it
doesn't rattle, you might want to live with it. Consider the fact that an
R-13 bell can be purchased new for $110 before paying too much for this repair.

Regards

Dave Lane

At 08:57 AM 12/15/95 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi, John,
>
>I THINK that Evette/Schaeffer is like a student model wood horn that
>Buffet used to manufacture. I don't know if they still do or not. A
>good repairman should be able to pin that crack in the bell and cover it
>cosmetically also. A crack in the bell is not as crucial as a crack in
>one of the joints, as the bell is primarily for projection and resonance
>on those couple lowest notes. The quality of the air column inside the
>horn would not be seriously compromised. If the horn sounds good
>otherwise, it's probably worth it!
>
>Jacqueline Eastwood
>University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
>eastwooj@-----.edu
>
>On Thu, 14 Dec 1995, John A. Limpert wrote:
>
>> I have an old clarinet that I bought from a local music store. It is marked
>> "EVETTE & SCHAEFFER, PARIS FRANCE, MODELE BUFFET-CRAMPON". It appears to be
>> made out of some type of wood. There is a noticeable crack in the bell that
>> starts
>> at the bottom and extends upwards about two inches. I know very little about
>> clarinets and I was wondering if the crack can be repaired. The clarinet
>> looks like it was heavily used by its previous owners. Is it worth fixing? I
>> think it sounds better than my other clarinet, a plastic student LeBlanc,
>> but the pads and mechanism are not in good condition.
>>
>> How much of an effect does the material (plastic or wood) have on the sound
>> of a clarinet? I've noticed that there is alot of discussion about reeds,
>> mouthpieces and barrels. Sometimes when I listen to CDs I wonder why the
>> tone of the clarinets sound so different from each other and my playing. Is
>> it 95% practice and technique or is the instrument important too?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> John A. Limpert
>> johnl@-----.Net
>>
>
>