Klarinet Archive - Posting 000050.txt from 2000/03

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] New Eb Clarinet?
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 00:39:55 -0500

> To all the Eb experts out there,
>
> We are getting ready to purchase a new Eb clarinet at one of
> the colleges
> where I teach and I would like some advice on what would be the
> best choice
> given that the primary concerns are:
>
> 1. Intonation
> 2. Quality
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> Best regards,
> Jonathan Cohler
>

I personally play an old (early 60's) Buffet R-13. It has a spectacular
sound and is built very well. Intonation is not great (even by E-flat
standards).

Now, I realize you aren't going to get one of this vintage. I recently
tried a brand new Buffet RC e-flat. One of my orchestral colleagues just
purchased one. I think it is probably the best e-flat I have ever played.
It is a one piece design (stay away from any of the 2 piece Buffets... I
can't say enough bad stuff about them) and the intonation is almost as good
as a b-flat (even in the altissimo). The response is even and the sound is
even and quite mellow. I think the sound is better on the old instruments,
but many say the same thing about the old b-flat and A clarinets.

As far as the construction goes, it seems to be pretty good. Silver keys,
etc... I couldn't tell the wood quality because of the stain that Buffet
uses in their construction. It is still too new to discuss longevity.

Hope this helps a bit.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Fifth Circle Audio
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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