 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Julia
Date: 2000-11-25 17:32
hello everybody!!
I'm new here... and I was wondering if anyone could provide some more info in response to Bob's message about older versus new R13. I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! 
Julia
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-11-25 18:17
That's a tough question, Julia. That's probably also why the first post didn't get much response. On average, I think the wood in the older horns is superior to most available today (note I said on average!). So there is a fairly good chance that if an older horn hasn't cracked yet, it probably won't if you treat it reasonably well. A lot of new horns crack regardless of how you treat them . . . sad to say.
Mechanical and intonation credits may be better in today's R-13, but I will defer to the techs on that. Given my choice between a fine older R-13 and a brand new one, my choice would be to buy the older horn and have it overhauled by a master clarinet technician that could adjust intonation if needed. But that is STRICTLY my preference. Maybe I'm just more at ease with older things . . . since I are one!
Interestingly enough, I'd probably take the opposite view with Selmer horns.
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2000-11-25 18:38
I have a 70 year old Buffet. To be honest it is very out of tune! My clarinet teacher tells me that it was probably made for European ensembles and that is why. Another thing that makes these older instruments different is the quality of the grenadilla. It is known that the quality is better.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-25 19:16
Kim L. wrote:
>
> ... Another thing
> that makes these older instruments different is the quality of
> the grenadilla. It is known that the quality is better.
That is an assumption. It is not known with certainty. Afterall people are judging on the basis of the "survivors." The average quality thus cannot be ascertained since those that cracked were eventually discarded. This skews the data.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-11-25 19:19
Julia -
In case you don't know, R-13's were introduced in the mid-50's. Buffet's prior to about 1955 (serial number is unknown) were different designs, but definitely not R-13's. My advice on those older Buffets would be to make no generalizations - it could be great or it could be pretty bad. It is safer to stay with R-13's, though some wonderful horns can be found among the earlier years.
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