Klarinet Archive - Posting 000640.txt from 1996/08

From: Luuk van Buul <vanbuul@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Help: Buffet Festival vs. LeBlanc Concerto?
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 1996 08:26:41 -0400

>
> I need some information from the list. I have an opportunity to upgrade
> from an R-13 to either a Festival or a Concerto. Any experiences or comments
> on these two models? Any insight greatly appreciated.
>
> Steven A. Melnyk
> 16513sam@-----.edu
>

I play a Concerto; two collegues in the Philips' Symphonic Band play on Festival
clarinets. Both models are marketed as top-of-the-line and there is some truth
in that. They're more even in tuning and sound character than the RC or the LX,
which are also played in our band.
Both types are very well built. However, there are some differences. The Opus is
more heavy in weight and in sound. The weight is something you have to accept on
the Opus; the sound is a matter of personal choice.
There is one point to consider further: of all Buffets bought recently by some
of my musical friends (including two Festivals and several RC's) one Festival
and one RC cracked in the upper joint. Luckily, both owners got new instruments.
Several other RC's got cracked barrels or minor cracks in the upper joint.
Of recently bought Leblancs (two Opus, two LX, an LX2000, a Sonata) none
cracked.
This seems to be a problem with Buffet as opposed to Leblanc (confirmed by a
not-very-objective source: the importer of Leblanc Holland).

Good luck

Luuk van Buul
--
===============================================================================
L.J.M. van Buul vanbuul@-----.com
Philips Research Waalre Philips Optoelectronics Centre
Prof.Holstlaan 4
5656 AA Eindhoven Tel. +31 40 2744649
The Netherlands Fax. +31 40 2744335
===============================================================================