Klarinet Archive - Posting 000318.txt from 1996/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Buffet festival
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 1996 11:40:16 -0400

Manuel,
Here's a solution to the clicking problem: I am SURE that the key
is only overlapping by a fraction of a millimeter. So why not just shave
down the key(s) at the spot where they touch? The structural integrity
will surely not be compromised by that. Any competent techician ought to
be able to do it in a few minutes. The good ones could even re-plate the
affected sections, if necessary.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Sat, 10 Aug 1996, Antonio Manuel Perez wrote:

> Well, first off, I'd like to introduce myself to the whole group.
> My name is Anthony Pere and I'm an entering freshman to the University of
> Washington and hopefully be an active member of the music department
> during my education there.
>
> I myself play upon a Buffet Festival and enjoy this model very
> much. There are many advantages and disadvantages I've found to it.
> What I liked about it is the features that come along with it, the silver
> plated keys, extra barrel, auxillary e-flat key, adjustable thumb rest and
> the metal things by the cork, which I can't remember the name of it:).
> I also like its ability to produce a larger sound than the R-13.
>
> Some things I didn't like about it is it weighs a little bit more
> than the R-13 which is noticable after long hours of play but isn't
> really all that bad. Also I found my b-flat to be "stuffier" than normal.
> I found out later that the demensions are totally differnt from the R-13.
> I believe the octive key is about 5mm higher than on the R-13 and I
> believe the bore is a little bite larger as well. I'm not sure but I'd
> contact Buffet if you want to get the exact measurments.
>
> Another thing I liked was the auxillary e-flat key. I found it
> useful when I had to do some trills and some passage ways like in the
> Debussy. But there is also a downside to the extra key. I soon
> discovered an annoying clivking sound. To my dismay it was due to the
> mechanism of the clarinet. In order to accomadate the extra key, the
> C-sharp key is offset a little bit. What I mean by that is, my C-sharp
> key hits the alternate C key when I play it.
>
> There are a few possible solutions to that problem. What I did with mine
> was put a little bit of tape of where it hits and that brings down most of
> the clicking.
>
> Before I did not know of a single person in my area that played on a
> Buffet Festival, both students and professionals respectively. Not until
> Sean Osborn made a return visit to his hometown to do a masterclass and
> concert. He's the only other person I've met that plays upon a matched
> set of Festivals and he plays on them very well!!:) He also had similar
> problems with the clicking. What he did was take it into a shop and had
> the repair guy take out the auxillary E-flat key. Its a great solution
> but since the C-sharp key will be hitting the alternate C key, you have to
> order a brand new C-sharp key which will run you an additional $130.00 to
> $150.00.
>
> All and all, I really enjoy my instrument. It has served me really well.
> I would recommend it to anyone that would likes to play on a totally
> different set up. :)
>
> "There are three kinds of people in this world: Those that can count
> and those that can't."
> Anthony Perez - boomer@-----.edu
>
> On Fri, 9 Aug 1996, Patrick Kwan wrote:
>
> Hi I'm planning to purchase the Buffet Festival clarinet. I tried it and the
> R-13 I think I like the festival better for some reason. Are there are pros
> and cons on this model?
>