 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lynn
Date: 2008-02-14 22:39
I'm in the first day of a 14 day trial period with a Buffet 1180. It will be my first "stab" at playing bass, so any opinions, pro or con, about this particular instrument? For what it's worth I picked it up from Muncy Winds today at the TMEA convention in San Antonio, and the horn looks brand new. I'll appreciate any advice from the bass players on the Bboard.
Tailwinds,
Lynn
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-02-15 00:42
It's a single-register vent design (rather similar to Noblets and nearly all the Leblancs) so it is likely to play somewhat stuffy and sharp in pitch in the low clarion register (mostly the 'long' B and C). I have to admit I've only played one 1180, I found it to be pretty good but not great, of course yours may be better or worse. There may be better instruments for the same money (or comparable instruments for less money).
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Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2008-02-16 00:14
That clarinet has been discontinued by Buffet and I'm sorry to see it go. For those folks that didn't have $5,000 to spend on a bass it was a terrific clarinet. The rest of the Buffet line up is locked in around $7800 to$8600, that 1180 sold new for around $3500 and it was quite nice, probably the best bass in that price range. If it plays well and looks good, buy it, the name alone will keep the value high if you wish to sell it later.
Can you take it to a local repair person before you invest? Just curious.
Scott Brodt
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Author: Lynn
Date: 2008-02-16 00:48
David and Scott,
Thanks for your replies. Your observations are quite in line with what I've discovered after the first full day of playing the horn. I've found a little adjustment needed in the bridge keywork system for "one and one" fingerings. Otherwise the mechanics seem fine.
Does anyone offer a modification to change the single register vent to a multiple vent system? I think I remember reading about numerous modifications to bass clarinet key mechanisms, so is this a potential alteration?
All in all I'm pleased with the quality of the horn and I'll likely buy it. I've spent a lot of time in front of a tuner today, trying three different mouthpieces, and as usual there are always lots of variances. But the horn is basically in tune with itself and the Richard Hawkins mp seems to keep the tuner happier than a Selmer C* or a Clark Fobes CF. (both are consistently flat while the Hawkins is "on" for most notes.)
Fun experience.......my first at playing a bass clarinet.......I look forward to the new challenges it will present.
Tailwinds,
Lynn
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