Klarinet Archive - Posting 000851.txt from 1999/12

From: dnaden <dnaden@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] RC Prestige
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 1999 02:24:07 -0500

--------------96C8125FB14D93A68388589F

In response to Ben's comment pertaining to the left hand Eb key on the Buffet
Prestige RC instruments (and Leblanc Opus, Selmer Recital, et.al.):

The left hand Eb key is very useful, but it does take time to get used to it.
But...
when you have finally reached your individual comfort level, you'll wonder how
clarinetists ever managed without it!!!!!

David S. Naden, MMus
Cal State University Los Angeles

Benjamin Maas wrote:

> > Any opinions on the RC Prestige
> > vs R13, Vintage, Festival would be of interest.
> >
> > I personally find great variations among R13's,
> > and play a set of them, selected from among many.
> >
> > I tried an RC Prestige and was blow away by it.
> > Different then anything else I've tested for myself.
> > It had the center of Prestige , but much more body
> > to the tone. I would describe it as bright but fat, lots
> > of focus. I realizes how subjective this is.
> >
> > RC is not used much among players where I come from.
> > Why is this so? They are very fine instruments.
> >
> > Thank You
> > David Renaud
> > Canada
> >
>
> I was just trying out instruments for a high-school student of mine last
> week. I played through a large number (at least 1-1/2 dozen!) and the RC
> prestige was far and away the best of the lot. My student ended up buying a
> R-13 because of the cost, but the RC was smooth, even, ultra-focused, and
> even a bit darker sounding. There was a large degree of variation amongst
> R-13s, but the good ones were *really* good (I wanted to buy a new one for
> myself). The R-13 just had a different sound. My only problem with the
> prestige would have been getting used to the left hand e-flat key. It
> really got in the way of my pinky. They didn't have any Festivals in stock,
> but I have played them before and personally liked the R-13 more. The sound
> on the R-13 is a little more robust than the Festival.
>
> The Vintage is another smooth sounding instrument, but I have had major
> intonation issues when I have played with players that own them. The tuning
> on them is sufficiently different that I have to adjust quite a bit to match
> them. The Vintage is a joy to play, however. The sound is a bit lighter,
> but smooth and focused. I'd consider it a great instrument for chamber
> music, but perhaps not for playing in a symphony.
>
> These are all of my subject opinions. I hope it helps a bit.
>
> --Ben
>
> Benjamin Maas
> Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
> Los Angeles, CA
> benmaas@-----.com
> http://www.fifthcircle.com
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
> Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
> Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
> Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

--------------96C8125FB14D93A68388589F

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org
--------------96C8125FB14D93A68388589F--