Klarinet Archive - Posting 000338.txt from 1998/06

From: Gary_VanCott@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Noblet bass clarinet vs Buffet Crampon Prestige
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 11:48:15 -0400

I have a new Buffet Prestige Alto Clarinet model 1503. In this design,
Buffet has abandoned the "traditional" double register key mechanism (with
the lower key opening on middle B-C#). There still is a double mechanism,
but the lower key opens only for the throat Bb.

This instrument has four resonance keys. (I am tempted to say "instead" but
I don't have any factual information on why these design choices were
made). Almost all of the notes in the clarion register sound really good on
this instrument (There is a resonance key for the clarion D, for example).
The only exception is the middle B which does not sound as good as it did
on the previous model. I also have a problem getting the high C to speak
consistently, but maybe that is just me.

Roger Garrett (who is off the list for a while) said that the new model
Buffet bass clarinet was supposed to be out this month. I don't know if
that has happened. I had been told some months ago by a B&H sales rep that
it wasn't due out until the end of the year or early next year. It will be
interesting to see if some of these features are incorporated into the new
bass clarinet model.

Gary Van Cott
Las Vegas, NV

"Henk Raven" <hraven@-----.net> on 06/09/98 12:34:08 AM

Please respond to klarinet@-----.org

cc: (bcc: Gary VanCott/NHIN)
Subject: [kl] Noblet bass clarinet vs Buffet Crampon Prestige

One week ago I went out to a dealer to buy myself a bass clarinet with low
C.
I wanted to buy the Buffet Crampon Prestige 1193-2 .
I already own a Noblet (low Eb), so I took this to compare the sounds.
To my suprise, the Noblet sounded more open and direct, and had had a more
even reaction.
The Buffet has a double octave mechanism. This helps to open up b and c
with
octave but works against the d which sounds very muffled. This might be
the
reason why the Buffet can be ordered with extra resonance keys on certain
notes.
Even the shop owner admitted that the Noblet sounded more direct and
warmer.
In my opinion the extension to low C is working against tone openness. I
experienced the same effect on baritone sax going down to low A instead of
Bb. The bell is further away from some notes and this works against them.

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