 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2001-05-12 00:27
I am looking for a good pro clarinet. The price is mot an issue, but I need to know what the best clarinets are. I know about the R-13, but which of the "varaities" are the best? I've heard that other clarinets, like the Patricola are good. I prefer a very dark sound since I usually play bright. Any suggestions?
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Author: Jonathan
Date: 2001-05-12 01:57
The best advice is to try all the different makers and models that you can get your hands on then once you've decided which model you like, try as many of that model as possible to get the best one. I've just bought a new Bb and the A is on its way - being picked from the factory. I tried all of the professional models of the Buffet's, a few Patricolas including a rosewood clarinet, and the Selmer Recitals and Signatures. I ended up narrowing my search down to the Buffet DG, Elite, Festival, and Vintage as to what worked well for my setup and perception of what i wanted. I finally chose the DG (as it was the clarinet that was most adaptable in tone colour and had a warm centred tone [with my setup]) but unfortunately they have stopped producing them so the Festivals which came a very close second is what I've gone with. So far my Bb is absolutely a pleasure to play (can't wait for the A) and would thoroughly recomend it to anyone. I also have bought a new ligature (BG Super Revelation) and a new mouthpiece (Viotto B3 with a French Cut) which suits my new clarinet as my old mouthpiece (also a Viotto but just the B3 without the French cut) was a bit too freeblowing for the Festival. As for the other clarinets that i tried,(and this will probably be totally diff for you) i found that the Selmers had a very silky tone colour and to a certain extent so did the Buffet Elite and RC prestige, the Patricolas also were all very good although some had buzzy pads that needed replacing. I didn't get to try any Leblancs as they are not readily available in Australia where i live. Really i think that it doesn't matter what brand or model you get as long as it gives you the sound that you want and you get to try quite a few of the model so that you get the one that is most even, best in tune, etc.
P.S. Getting a new mouthpiece would probably do more towards get you a darker tone colour than getting a new clarinet would.
If you don't want to do this you could always then try ligatures as well.
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Author: Tim2
Date: 2001-05-12 02:05
There are others on this board who know alot more of what kid of sounds that different makes of horns give. But - my 2 cents:
Peticola is a horn many British perform with. It may not give you the "dark" sound you want.
BUT - I would add that more important than the horn is your mouthpiece. It is the most important force guiding what kind of sound your clarinet can give YOU. Know that the same mouthpiece can and will give different sounds for different people. A lot is made up by how your mouth is shaped on the inside and what you do in forming your embouchure (thanks, Mark, I used it) and support.
Have you tried a Buffet with your current mouthpiece? Does it give you a "dark" sound? If not, then a mouthpiece is in order.
You might want to try searching this forum for postings on "mouthpieces" and "sound". Search the klarinet Archives, they have even more info.
You may want to go to a music store that has a large variety of mouthpieces. Take the time and try some mouthpieces with the characteristics that should give a dark sound. Take your instrument you have now. You may be surprised at what you hear. Let the person helping you know what you are looking for.
The mouthpiece and barrel and reed are more important to the sound you produce than is the rest of the instrument itself. Good luck I hope
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-05-12 03:43
I bought my clarinet about three months ago and have been very satisfied with it (it is a Buffet Festival in Bb). I actually bought it for the very dark and rich sound it gave, though I discover when playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A that it can be very colorful and bright as well, which is even more pleasing. I was surprised at how much better and more flexible in tone it was than the R-13; it even bested the Prestige--at least as far as my criteria was concerned, though it seems to be somewhat similar to what you are looking for. Of course there is no comparison between the Prestige and the regular R-13, so if you end up with an R-13 (which is an amazing clarinet; I actually went out with the intent of buying an R-13 and took home a Festival) I would reccomend the Prestige.
Good luck; I am certain that whatever clarinet you choose, when you play it you will know it's the one.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-13 14:07
If you have a chance to choose between several, that would be the best thing. I would stick to the major brands: Leblanc, Buffet, Yamama and Selmer because of their reputation and resale value if you don't like the instrument.
I like Leblancs because their intonation is more dependable and they don't require as much (voicing) in the upper registers as Buffets. And, if you want a good deal on one, the Esprit is a nice one. Concertos are too expensive for what you get. The top of the line Opus is the best and is my personal choice of instrument. But, very, very expensive compared to a lot of other clarinets out there. The Esprit is a good buy for the money.
The Buffet R-13 is a standard (as mentioned) and is good if you can actually play the instrument you want. Watch for "fuzzy" Bbs and throat tones and make sure the tone in the upper registers isn't "thin." Those are the things I watch on R-13s. They're an excellent buy as far as resale value and also are so in demand that there are lots of bargains on them.
The Yamaha YCL 64s and Custom line are also pretty good. I'm not a big fan, prefering the Leblanc and Buffet over the Yamaha, but some people really like these.
The Selmer Co. has some very nice instruments on the market right now. The Prologue II is their entry-level professional model and has a nice tone. The best buy for the money in their line-up (in my opinion) is the 10G. It's very much like the Buffet R-13, and is about the same price--so if you want an R-13--just buy an R-13. But, if you're a Selmer fan--get this one. The Signature is a nice clarinet, but is their top of the line and might be more than you want to spend.
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