Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 1996/09

From: Dick Walters <waltersd@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: New vs. old, Prestige vs. R-13, Opperman Barrels
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 19:34:45 -0400

CLARK FOBES wrote:
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I have been lurking and as it is Saturday and beautiful I have
> decided to come out of my hole for a brief moment.
>
> We have had the discussion of New vs. Old on this list before, but
> I thought I might add a FEW notes that had not been previously
> discussed. Someone brought up the point of owning an older Buffet that
> played better than several new instruments etc.
>
> I have to say, that as an experienced crafstman of 20 years, "they
> don't make 'em like they used to!". And I'm glad they don't.
>
> Generally I think that Buffet has been getting better in overall
> acoustic and mechanical design over the years, as have most clarinet
> makers. I do see a trend toward less durable plating and a lack of
> emphasis on careful setup. But hey, after sales repairwork is keeping a
> lot of us busy!
>
> I overhaul at least 100 clarinets a year and do touch up work on
> many more. I ocassionally run across an older instrument that really is
> a gem. But I sell about 3o new Buffets a year and I find many new gems
> too. If one disregards for the moment the variables of undercutting and
> considers that a clarinet has four pieces with either steps or chokes
> at each juncture and subtle variations in bore dimensions, it is no
> wonder that two R-13 clarinets can play wildly different. I am fairly
> certain that at the Buffet factory bells and barrels are matched to
> bodies by play testing, but I think it is unlikely that upper and lower
> joints are matched in the same manner.(Anyone who may know more please
> correct me) Sometimes a match happens that really beats the odds and a
> "Super" instrument is born. Of course one hopes that as the instrument
> breaks in it will maintain or enhance those unique properties.
>
> In the case of Buffet R-13 clarinets, I have noticed changes in
> general playing characteristics of serial number groups, particularly
> in the area of tuning parameters. The groupings as I have perceived
> them are based on my experience only and is not meant as a definitive
> statement about Buffet clarinets. Also I very rarely work on
> instruments with serial numbers earlier than 85,000 so my list starts
> there.
>
> 85.000 - 110,000 very flexible, but twelfths are wide
>
> 111,000 - 224,000 great sound especially around 145,000. Tuning
> parameters better. C#/G# key spring changed
> to needle spring from flat spring.
>
> 225,000 - 300,000? Definitely a new bore design around 225,000.
> These instruments have a different resistance,
> but play better in tune. B natural still sharp
>
> 300,000? - present I have not been able to definitively place the
> change, but the middle B is much better in tune
> on these new models
>
> As to the difference in R-13 Buffets and Prestige R-13 I have
> spoken to Rene Lesieux about the "perceived" differences in these
> instruments. He maintains that the bores are identical, but the
> difference in sound comes from the silver plating and the tenon caps. I
> had not considered the effect of the tenon caps until our discussion,
> but it makes perfect sense. With the restriction of the caps the bore
> can not open up and may even become smaller over time. This , I
> believe, is the reason that most Prestige clarinets have a more compact
> and, in some cases, restricted tone quality.
>
> Opperman barrels. I don't know that I could distinguish the color
> of Mr. Oppermans barrel from the black and white photo in "The
> Clarinet", but I believe they are made of African blackwood. The oval
> is his trademark. Mr. Opperman was one of a few men who has carried on
> the limited tradition of making clarinet barrels. He is also a
> mouthpiece maker and I am certain that he came up with the same
> conclusion that I have. The barrel and mouthpiece work together to
> otimize response, sound and tuning. It is impossible to make one
> without becoming interested in the design and influence of the other. I
> know David Hite made barrels for a few years and Guy Chadash makes
> both.
>
> Clark W Fobes
Eh? How about that, Dan?

Dick W