Klarinet Archive - Posting 000481.txt from 2002/03

From: Paul Harris <pwharris@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 13:03:20 -0500

Dear Robyn
Your clarinet teacher is correct, sort of. Clarinets and other mechanical
devices do not go bad just with age. Other things do effect the performance
of the instrument, such as wear from usage and environment. Most of these
can be repaired or refurbished by a competent repair man.
However, repair or reconditioning can not fix the old design of your
instrument. Modern clarinets from most manufactures(i.e. Selmer, Leblanc,
and even Yamaha), other than Buffet in their professional lines have better
intonation, tone and superior response due to evolution of design. In my
opinion Buffet has lagged behind in evolution and is not the superior
instrument maker today it was 40 years ago.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robyn Brown" <rjbrown@-----.edu>
Subject: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?

> Hi all,
>
> I am a college freshman who has been playing the clarinet since 5th
> grade. I am currently playing on a beautiful old Buffet R-13, serial
> number 113XXX (as I recall that dates about to 1969, but it's been a while
> since I've checked). Recently, my clarinet teacher has suggested that it
> may be time to buy a new instrument. He believes that clarinets that are
> used regularly are only good for about 15 years before the quality of
> intonation, sound, response, etc. deteriorates.
>

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