Klarinet Archive - Posting 000611.txt from 2003/08

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <Matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: [kl] Buying E-13/R-13/S2/Edware instruments and the English tradition in general
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 10:18:09 -0400

Would that life that simple!

Following Emily's logic, one would expect that the "base" RC/R-13
instruments would be less than ideal to get the extra money to the
Prestige instruments. But having played the RC that is now mine on
approval, I couldn't find a Prestige to match the quality, let alone
surpass it and so stuck with the standard (and much cheaper) RC.

I have heard it said, and my experiences of a number of Bb and Bb
instruments would tend to support, that Buffet quality control isn't
good. So if your E-13 was a Friday afternoon instrument, then that could
explain a lot.

It just goes to emphasise the need to test play the instrument you are
going to buy, rather than the model.

Glad to hear that you have an English Instrument now - it worries me how
the English clarinet tradition is being swallowed up by the French
tradition. Nothing against the French here at all - but an English
clarinet is different. My dear Mother, hearing my play the same piece on
my newish RC and my twenty three year old Edgware, preferred the sound
of the Edgware!

I've always wondered how many pairs an international player would have -
more than one I understand - Tony P - any comment? Or does anyone else
have more than one pair?

Matthew

-----Original Message-----
From: emily worthington [mailto:emily.worthington@-----.com]
Subject: Re: [kl] Buffet E-13/intonation/buffet vs patricola etc

IMHO, as an owner of an E-13 A and Leblanc Sonata Bb (that i've just
replaced with a beautiful pair of Howarth S2's, the intonation of which
is a
dream - and which the gentleman who is looking for R-13 equivalent
instruments might like to try) the E-13 is often poor value for money
compared with what Leblanc and other manufanturers offer. My E-13 was
extremely poorly set up when I purchased it, though i didn't realise
until
quite a while after, when my playing and knowledge of the mechanics of
the
instrument had improved sufficiently for me to question why it was such
a
beast to play compared to my Bb! The Leblanc Sonata model (priced
similarly
to an E-11) and Esprit (priced similarly to an E-13) seem to me to be
far
better value, if you can't afford to go for a pro model. I get the
impression that Buffet don't take a lot of care producing well set up
intermediate instruments, perhaps to make their proffessional models
seem
even more impressive!

My Sonata has lasted me through 2 years of a music degree and I am only
replacing it because I am hoping to go on to do a posgraduate course a
music
college.

What i guess i am saying - in a roundabout way! - is, there are better
intermediate instruments out there that the rather expensive E-13. Of
course
you could also get a second hand R-13 for about that price.

Certainly consult your teacher - a good one will know whether your
problems
stem from your technique or your instrument! I've recently found that
many
of the things I beat myself up about not being able to do convincingly
were
partly due to the limitations of my instrument. It may not be a
wonder-cure,
but a well put together instrument can make it 100% easier to really
isolate
and deal with technique problems!

good luck!

Em
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Bink" <ab010m@-----.edu>
Subject: [kl] Buffet E-13

> Hi,
>
> I am a college student, although not a music major, who still performs
> extensively and I have the opportunity to study at the Eastman School
of
> Music in addition to my regular practice. But as I learn more
techniques,
> my clarinet (an older Normandy) isn't able to handle all of the things
I
> want to do... it just doesn't respond that well and makes things
harder. I
> keep reading that the Buffet E-13 is a good choice for college
students
> not majoring in music but who plan to keep on playing well into his or
her
> life. However, I haven't read about any other models, anything by
LeBlanc
> etc. who, can make the same claim. Can anyone give me advice on the
E-13
> and if possible, reccomend some other models that might suit me well?
> Thanks,
>
> Adam
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/
>

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