Klarinet Archive - Posting 000498.txt from 2002/03
From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] New vs. Old - Any thoughts?
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 17:45:23 -0500
At 02:15 PM 3/19/2002 -0800, Tim Roberts wrote:
>On Tue, 19 Mar 2002 10:03:20 -0800, Paul Harris <pwharris@-----.net> wrote:
> >
> >Dear Robyn
> >Your clarinet teacher is correct, sort of.
> > ...
> >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.
>
>I can't figure out what message you are trying to send to Robyn. Your first
>sentence says that the "old design" of her instrument is a terminal flaw that
>cannot be repaired, but your last sentence says that Buffets from 40 years
>ago
>are superior instruments. She (I'm assuming that Robyn is a "she") said she
>had a 1969 R-13, which makes it a product of the "superior instrument maker"
>Buffet of 40 years ago (plus or minus a fudge factor).
>
>So, do you feel a 1969 R-13 a "superior instrument", or is it the
>byproduct of
>a hopeless "old design"? And what leads you to your conclusion?
I suspect that Pauls' message is that "superior" in clarinets is a moving
target, not unlike "state-of-the-art" in computers, but not quite so
fast. The R-13 was revolutionary in the 1950's, but, given the advances by
some other manufacturers, may be getting somewhat dated now. For example,
better intonation can be found in any number of clarinets from other
manufacturers, and even from other Buffet models.
Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265
If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!
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