Klarinet Archive - Posting 000419.txt from 1996/02

From: John Schimpf <schimpf@-----.GOV>
Subj: Re: Selmer Clarinets
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 04:46:04 -0500

Ronald E. Bowers wrote:
>
> infrequently mentioned. The Buffet R-13 certainly dominates discusions
> on this list.
> I play Selmer 10S "A and Bb" instruments. I am not a pro, but
> find the intonation of my horns to be "right on" on the tuner, and that
> they seem to have a more mellow or sweeter tone than the Buffets I am
> able to hear. I have several mouthpieces but always come back to the
> Selmer C85 120(opening) with a Vandoren V12 3 1/2 reed.
> Are there any Selmer people on the list? I would appreciate any
> general comments about the (perceived) differences between the Selmer
> and Buffet or Leblanc.
> I apologise in advance if this is an old subject.
>
> Ron Bowers

Well, I am not a Selmer guy...infact I have never even played a Selmer
clarinet. I am a LeBlanc guy though. I play a LeBlanc esprit Bb, with a
Portnoy bpo 2 and a Vandoren V12 3 1/2 reed. I chose the feel of the LeBlanc
over the Buffet R-13. I still have yet to play a R-13 I do like. I have
played the Festival and Prestige models though...those are NICE. I know that
LeBlanc makes a model (Opus) that is comparable to the Prestige. I think that
LeBlanc makes a better clarinet mechanically, but Buffet clarinets have a
sound that is real hard to beat. I think most mid-advanced students get the
R-13 because that is what most other students use. I think more people should
experiment with different brands before they buy...I did and it has paid off.

John