Klarinet Archive - Posting 000234.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Was it elitism or just an unfortunate figure of speech?
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 04:42:10 -0500

On Wed, 4 Feb 1998, Andrea Ciona wrote:
> What is the concensus on the GreenLine clarinets by Buffet? Certainly,
> most players would agree that wooden clarinets sound better than their
> plastic counterparts, but where do these grenadilla "alloys" fit in?
>
> I play a GreenLine, and love it, however it would be interesting to hear
> other, more experienced views. I find, that my instrument adapts very
> well to changes in altitude, climate and humidity, and the fact that it is
> "guaranteed" not to crack or shrink is also reasuring.
>
> Hearing the "pro" view of GreenLines would be helpfull, especially since I
> am looking to buy a new 'A' clarinet. Thanks everyone!

I will tell a very short story, but one that addresses this question with
a personal experience.

In 1995, I attended the Illinois Music Educator's National Conference held
in Peoria. One of my favorite places to go is the exhibits. All the
people milling around, the free pizza to be munched, the multitude of free
CD's, the selection of sheet music (boy o boy do I have a weakness for a
great sheet music store!), AND (best of all)....clarinets to try out!

I happened upon the Boosey Hawkes booth, and a nice man asked me if I
would like to look at any of the clarinets. I was carrying my (then) two
year old Buffet R-13, recently Brannenized. I spied a new Greenline R-13
(which I had only heard about and never seen), and asked if they had any
other clarinets - perhaps the Prestige, or the RC models? How about an Eb
or Bass clarinet? No......only the student line, the R-13, and the
Greenline R-13. I sighed and said that I would pass - clearly my fun had
been spoiled. Before I could escape the representative's booth however,
he asked if I would like to try the Greenline. AH! Forced into a
response, I told him that I was fairly certain that I would not recommend
the instrument...somehow he persuaded me to try the horn.

I sat down with my nice Buffet R-13, and I played a bit. Then, when I
felt reasonably comfortable, I changed mouthpiece and barrel to the
Greenline. It only took one scale for me to realize I liked the Greenline
better. I sure tried hard not to like it......but alas, it was a better
instrument.

The moral of the story? I had selected my Buffet from over 40 clarinets.
it played GREAT! I loved that horn......and with one (and there was only
one to try!) Greenline that had never been adjusted by a master
technician, my horn was reduced to a lesser clarinet.

While the Greenline may be made of plastic......it is still a marvelous
horn.

By the way, I now play on a Buffet R-13 Prestige.......wood. Why?
Because I like it.

Roger Garrett