Klarinet Archive - Posting 000600.txt from 2002/04

From: "Kevin Fay" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Prestige RC vs. Prestige R13
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 19:56:49 -0400

David Naden replied to Tom Henson:

<<<This model [Buffet Festival] was not designed for those who can't afford
or decline to spend the extra money on Prestige instruments. Because US
availability is limited, the cost is lower in the US. From what I've
learned, the Prestige and Festival models are priced comparatively in
Europe.

* * *
As I have owned and played both the Prestige RC and Festival, I can tell you
that the silver plating on the keys is the same, both models use tenon caps,
the wood is comparable, etc. It is possible that the wood, although select
quality for both models, may be more from the center rings for the Prestige,
and a bit more towards the outside rings for the Festival, but that can not
be proven.>>>

I have been told by a friend of mine (who happens to own a chain of music
stores) that the Festival - but for the "center of the tree" wood, perhaps -
essentially *is* a Prestige. As related to me, it was desiged not to be a
different clarinet, but the same clarinet sold through a different
distribution channel.

Let me explain. Many artist-level clarinets are sold through discount
houses - the Woodwind & Brasswind, for example. The actual sale price is
much, much lower than the list price. Indeed, the sale price from WW&BW for
an R-13 Buffet isn't a great deal more - and at times has been less - than
what your corner music store would buy them for from the distributor. This
hurts sales for the corner store.

The Festival is marketed *only* through corner stores. While WW&BW and IMS
may stock and sell them, you won't see them listed in any catalogs. In the
end, the "street price" for the Prestige sold by the discount house and the
Festival from the corner store will be roughly the same. In the end, a
similar clarinet for a similar price.

Yamaha does the same thing with their "Allegro" intermediate instruments;
they get very testy with dealers that try to sell them below list price.

kjf

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