 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2005-01-28 00:27
I know my way around Bb clarinets reasonably well. I gotta confess total ignorance about A's - I never played one before today. I was expecting what I've read: stuffy, resistant, etc. This R13 played like my Bb, and my Bb is exceptional. Clear, effortless tone and very responsive. It's probably 25-30 yrs old. I haven't checked it with a tuner yet.
So here's a couple of questions: Assuming the tuning checks out, does this sound like a special gem? Or are good A's really fairly available out there? Secondly, what is the standard barrel length on a Buffet A of 70's vintage?
Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-28 03:36
Contrary to the prevailing myth, there ARE many fine Buffet A clarinets out there, but often need an experienced tech to bring them up to their full potential.
Personally, I think that the Buffet A clarinets (and Bb clarinets) of the mid-to-late 1960's were the finest ever produced, but there were certainly MANY superb instruments from the 1970's as well.
Your particular clarinet may have already had some custom work done to it (shorter register vent tube, voicing, undercutting, etc...) thus making it already play to your satisfaction.
The Buffet A clarinets of that era were issued with a 65mm barrel, but depending on your personal set up, it could very well need a 66mm or 67mm for better tuning accuracy...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-01-28 04:06
I would agree...my A sounds beautiful. I got lucky, it was bought from a student at the Curtis Institute who I think got it from his teacher, no doubt from the philadelphia orchestra. It's gorgeous.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-01-28 21:41
Buy it.
Play it for gigs that call for the A clarinet part.
Practice your scales on it.
When you get tired of lugging it around, you'll always find a buyer.
What's the purchase price, anyway?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2005-01-28 22:21
First price was $1200, but it needs too much to give that for it. The barrel is not original, and is a newer 69mm Buffet barrel. Surely it couldn't need a 69mm barrel! So there would be pads or overhaul plus the cost of a new barrel. I still haven't gotten it on a tuner yet though. This might all be academic.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-01-29 01:57
69MM???????????????????????????????????????????????? I don't even know what to say on that one......
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
