Klarinet Archive - Posting 000535.txt from 1997/11

From: "David S. Naden" <dnaden@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Simon's visit from Vandoren
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 19:56:40 -0500

In response to Michael's question pertaining to the availability of
Buffet Prestige RCs:

These instruments list at approximately $5000 per instrument, the set
lists at approximately $9500. Based on my personal experience when I
purchased my set in 1985 (at that time, the list was approximately $2500
per instrument, and $5000 per set), the instruments had to be ordered by
a music store directly from Buffet. Because the list price is double
the price of an R-13, availability is limited due to basic economics.

David S. Naden

Michael Norsworthy wrote:

> My former teacher, Kjell-Inge Stevensson plays one of the DGs in the
> Stockholm
> Symphony. According to him they play very much like the Buffet
> Festivals but
> are much better in tune and have much greater projection. As he
> understood it
> this clarinet was made for the European market and would not be
> marketed in the
> US for about 2-3 years (granted I studied with him in 1995-96). So
> this may be
> the time for them to "come over", as it were, to the American market.
>
> One question I have. Why are the Buffet Prestige RC clarinet so
> damned
> difficult to find in the US? None of the major suppliers in the US
> have them
> and when they finally get one in, it's already sold. Just as curious
> as I'm
> looking to buy one of these in the near future.
>
> Thanks,
> Michael Norsworhy
> mnorsworthY@-----.net