 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Keeheon Nam
Date: 2011-05-14 00:19
Hi all, my parents and my private lesson teacher finally agreed that it is time for me to go on to a new clarinet from my 4 year old E-11 Clarinet.
My private lesson teacher highly recommends R-13's, but I wanted to see other options that cost someone in the same range. What clarinets are a good competition for the R-13?
Also, whats a great place to buy clarinets on site? I prefer not to buy online. I live in the Minneapolis area.
Thanks folks,
Keeheon
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Author: dtiegs
Date: 2011-05-14 01:52
Try Yamaha, Leblanc, and Selmer... * I did not say to get one of these but at least try as many as you can to get certain qualities you like... your instructor might have different "LIKES" than you... also not implying that your instructor is misleading you...
good luck...
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Author: stasou
Date: 2011-05-14 03:02
I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but you really ought to go with the R-13. There's a reason it's played by 80% of professionals.
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Author: salsacookies
Date: 2011-05-14 04:54
r-13 is overrated. it's played by 80% of professionals to feed the already huge buffet ego. there are plenty of clarinets out there that meet or exceed the quality of an r-13. i have a leblanc rapsodie and a leblanc lx a clarinet. i like the feel of the leblanc keywork more than selmer or buffet. it feels more sturdy. I like the inline trill keys and i like how the touchpoint on all the pinky keys are flatter so it's right there and you don't have to search for it. whatever you end up choosing, make sure YOU like it. Try different brands, different models of a brand, even different clarinets of the same model. No two clarinets of the same model play alike. It's all up to you and to an extent, your teacher. your teacher doesn't have to play on it, you do, so make sure it's something that you are comfortable with. GL in your search and let us now what you decided on.
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Author: suavkue
Date: 2011-05-14 06:00
I'm from the Twin Cities area - Midwest, Groth Music, and Eckroth Music are your best bets (probably Midwest or Groth more than any of the other ones around the area). Bring a tuner with you. (Just from my personal experience.)
Personally for me, I took a risk by not trying the Ridenour Lyrique 576bc and buying it online, and I'm glad I took that risk - as I feel that this clarinet has played better than any other clarinet I've ever tried playing. The respnose, though, takes time to adjust to.
A friend of mine that is attending the University that I'm at bought an R13 at Groth - and loves it.
Lisa's Clarinet Shop (another online shop) is also another good bet.
The unfortunate thing (at least from what I've noticed around the suburbs) is that there isn't a great variety of brands from which to choose from the stores - most either sell Accent, 2 or so Buffets, 2-3 Leblancs, a Yamaha or two, and 1-3 Selmers. When my friend bought hers at Groth, she was able to choose from a selection of 20 or so R13s (as I recall from her telling me, at least). I don't know about Midwest, though.
Most people in this area, from what I've heard, usually go driving all the way to Indiana to Woodwind and Brasswind to go try some clarinets over there.
-----
My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature
Post Edited (2011-05-14 06:03)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-05-14 06:28
Since you're in Minneapolis, I'd also suggest going to Midwest (www.mmimports.com). You have a great advantage to be near a store that has a big range of instruments.
Personally, I love my CSV's more than the R-13's that I've tried. The consistency between instruments was astonishing to me!
But, like most people, I suggest trying out as many instruments as you possibly can. Blind test them as much as you possibly can, and try playing them for your teacher without him seeing what instrument you're playing.
Good luck!!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-05-14 12:39
Though I'll add that other brands keywork can (is!!) be better, intonation can be equal or better, and also the sound can be better with another brand depending on the player's concept.
So there really isn't one brand that's best at all. Orchestra auditions aren't just being won with Buffet's.....
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-05-14 16:32
> And it's not ego, its sound.
...and it's the weight of a 300lb Gorilla - they do have that "critical mass" which makes their products self-runners...kind of "iClarinet", if you get my drift.
I'm still happy with my Marigaux.
--
Ben
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Author: Wes
Date: 2011-05-14 20:03
Well, I spent five years at the U of MN playing on a Noblet clarinet in the bands and the symphony orchestra. Harry Gee was the other player in the orchestra. Earl Handlon, the clarinet professor, played on Buffets but sold Marigaux instruments. Other teachers of mine used R13 Buffets and I own three of them, all wonderful.
If you buy a new R13, it will probably need adjustments to lower the rings and lighten the springs to make it easier to play. The prices are ok, certainly much less than a fine oboe, flute, horn, or bassoon. Good luck!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-05-14 20:36
It gets COLD in Minneapolis. If you decide on Buffet, try the Greenline, which doesn't crack in the cold. It plays identically to the wood instruments and doesn't swell or change. It does weigh slightly more than wood.
Ken Shaw
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Author: OboeLover4Life
Date: 2011-05-14 22:10
You might also want to consider brands such as Patricola, Howarth and Hanson.
And I think these makers and others will gladly give you a trial period so you can see if you like the clarinet. Usually up to a week so don't stress too much about ordering online. Good Luck!
If music be the food of love, play on. ~William Shakespeare
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Author: Keeheon Nam
Date: 2011-05-15 04:45
I called Groth and Midwest, and I plan to try some out within the next few weeks. I will for sure see if any of these stores carry any of these possibilities and I will for sure try them out. At our school a lot have R-13, and it would be nice to change it up a bit. Not saying the R-13 is bad, but there's so many people that have them!
Thanks guys and gals,
keeheon
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Author: dan199212
Date: 2011-05-15 06:34
okay really i hear the r-13 is great but it does have some tuning issues and plus its wood.. and so much work has to be done with a wooden clarinet to keep it in tune. Now i recommend trying out a Lyrique clarinet its made out of ebonite. (hard rubber) i own one and its amazing! just as good as wood really and its by Tom ridenour ( works with leblanc on the opus clarinet) this clarinet is always intune or just so so so slightly off. Or i also have a Patricola cl4 clarinet only had if for alittle while but im in love with it! omg so good tone and voicing hope this helps
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-05-15 15:54
Dan 199212...
You can get the R-13 in greenline which has all the properties of plastic yet retains the same sound as wood
Keeheon nam...
You can still be unique in what you play while still playing on an R13, just the greenline option would be unique if no one else has it, or you could get a new barrel/bell/mouthpiece/ligature/reed the backun barrels have always got me attention in bands:)
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-05-15 18:24
I don't know how it strikes anyone else, but it seems to me that buying or not buying a particular instrument because "everyone has one" or "just to be different" is a REALLY bad basis upon which to make the choice.
My first theory teacher used to say, "When you are doing a 'theme and variations,' you first have to do the theme." In other words, at some point in your career, experimentation with "different" instruments, just because they are different, might be warranted.
But at this point, when you are buying your very first professional clarinet, I just can't imagine having any criterion other than to buy the best-playing instrument that you can find and afford, the one that suits you best, irrespective of brand name.
It may be that you will like the Yamaha or a Selmer or a LeBlanc best, but for heaven's sake, don't get snooty about the Buffet just because "everyone has one."
One of the reasons that "everyone" has one is that they are often the very best choice!
Susan
Susan
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2011-05-15 18:50
I Totally agree with Susan above, my thoughts exactly, I say this because as an advanced clarinetist I didnt go for the r13 thing I tried several of them and several of yamaha and of course Amati. I ended up with yamaha and Amati and play on both and both worked out Extremely Well for Me. the r13 did not.
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2011-05-16 00:13
I am the only member of a 25 person ensamble here in Seoul without a Buffet. I either play my Ridenour or Yamaha and they both serve me well. Our director is quite impressed with the tone of the Ridenour. Or maybe he is only impressed that it has any tone at all considering who blows into it.
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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Author: Joanna
Date: 2011-06-01 17:52
Personally, I prefer Selmer (Paris) over Buffet. Not for anything, but I sound better on my Selmers than I have on any Buffet that I've tried. The keywork is also excellent.
You need to try different clarinets and find out what the best choice for YOU is. I would recommend going to the store with your teacher and trying some out, maybe narrow it down to 2-3 and then blind-test them out (play one or the other and ask your teacher to rate the sound on each). Don't forget, a good clarinet can be slightly resistant at the time of purchase. This is good, because it takes about a year to fully break it in. Also, be sure to be in shape at the time of purchase!
Happy shopping!
Joanna
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Author: Paul Miller
Date: 2011-06-01 18:26
It's interesting that there's an entire industry for aftermarket barrels, bells, etc., that exist to do one thing: fix the problems with the R13.
I think the R13 is a really good design paired with really poor quality control. An outstanding R13 is an incredible horn - but you'll have to sort through a bunch of duds to find it.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-06-01 19:25
One thing about what Paul said:
the R13 was designed almost 60 years ago, and even though it was a breakthrough for its time, other wxcellent designs have surfaced since then. Of course, Buffet has adapted the R13 over the years. It's still worth consideration, but it isn't the ONLY clarinet to consider.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2011-06-01 21:58
One horn that was not mentioned is the Buffet Festival. It's an excellent buy. With a price only slightly higher than the R13, the Festival has unstained Grenadilla, the alternate Eb/Ab key, metal tenon caps, and comes with both 66 and 65 mm barrels. I like them a lot - worth a try at least.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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