 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claribex
Date: 2009-07-04 12:07
I notice the Buffet website is showing these two new models. I haven't seen them for sale anywhere and wonder if they are widely available. I guess they are to be priced above the E13 and below the RC/ R13.
I'm really interested if anyone has has the opportunity to play one and if so how you rate them on comparison to the E13 and indeed the RC and R13.
If I'm recommending instruments to my students if their budget won't stretch to an RC I usually go E13 so I'm curious about these models which seems to be in between the two hopefully in both price and spec!
Thanks
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Author: redwine
Date: 2009-07-05 14:05
Hello,
Disclaimer---I endorse Buffet Crampon products.
I played the Limite clarinet in New York in October of last year. I thought it was an excellent clarinet.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: MoonPatrol
Date: 2009-07-06 02:03
They might still be available from Brook Mays music in Dallas. Its so close to and R13 that if you want to save some money it would be a great horn to own.
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Author: Lee1407
Date: 2009-07-06 05:20
I have been playing on a Limite for about 4 years now and it's been a great instrument. I bought it my senior year of high school and am now a senior in college. It's a cheaper option than getting an R13 right off the bat, I would say, until I have the resources to get an R13. When I bought it I was told it was a professional model but after talking to BC vendors I was told that it is just a step below an R13 with not many differences.
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Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2009-07-06 18:31
I tried a Limite and I thought it was a wonderful clarinet. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between it and an R13. If given enough to try I'm sure you can find one that plays just as good if not better then some R13's.
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Author: ww.player
Date: 2009-07-06 21:07
According to a friend that used to work for Brook Mays, the Limite was an E11 with an R13 barrel and bell. Obviously, this would mean lesser quality wood and perhaps softer keys. As far as playing performance, it should be very similar to an R13.
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-07-07 04:35
No, no, it's not an E11 with an R13 barrel and bell. It's made in France and has a K-prefixed serial number. I believe it is an E13.
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Author: claribex
Date: 2009-07-07 20:49
Thanks for all your comments. I notice you are all in the US. I did wonder if these were available only in the US or mainland Europe. The Buffet website doesnt' state if they are 440/442 models.
I'm in the UK and I haven't seen either the Limite or the Conservatoire (is this also known as the C12??) listed with any major stockists.
My regular supplier had to call his Buffet rep to check UK availability because they he has had no requests for them. The price (Conservatoire) is about £300 above the E13 and £300 below the RC.
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Author: ww.player
Date: 2009-07-07 21:25
This is worth discussing as this question comes up fairly often.
Susie, the Limite can't be an E13. The E13 used Buffet's old "master bore" design while the Limite is polycylindrical like the R13 and E11.
David, the E11 and R13 are very similar. They have polycylindrical bores, similar (if not identical) undercutting, and almost identical bore sizes. In fact, I have a WWBW catalog from the late 80's that shows the bore size of both to be the same (.574"). The E11 bore is now .577", only .003" different. The bells and barrels are interchangeable, although it does affect tuning some.
The analogy using Selmer Paris and Selmer USA is incorrect. Selmer Paris did not design or supervise the production of Selmer USA's horns. Buffet France did design the Buffet Germany horns and oversaw Schreiber's production to be sure they were made to spec.
Let's consider exactly what we know about the Limite. It is made in France at the main factory like the R13. However, the E11 is also now made in France, but at a different factory. The Limite bore has a "higher" bore cut to make it freer blowing, just like the E11. The Limite has different keywork than the R13. The bore is not hand finished just like the E11's. The R13's bore is hand finished.
Also, having tried ones before, I have to say they felt lighter than an R13, just like the E11's do. This means they are either thinner, made from less dense wood, or both compared to an R13.
My friend was the manager of the Brook Mays woodwind pro shop for years. He regularly met with Buffet's reps. I would think he should know exactly what Limites are. Perhaps when he said, "The Limite is an E11 with an R13 barrel and bell," he really meant, "The Limite is just like an E11 with an R13 barrel and bell."
After looking at the specs, the Limite certainly seems to be closer to the E11 than the R13 in design and construction. This means it's probably more like an improved E11 than a cheap R13. The Limites I tried did play somewhere between the two in tone and response.
I hope this helps, claribex.
Post Edited (2009-07-07 21:28)
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-07-08 01:01
Well, the Limite that I owned (and recently sold) was nothing like an E11. It was closer to the E13 as far as I could tell. It even had the K-prefixed serial number like the E13. The Limite is just above the E13 in the Buffet line-up, and on their website the descriptions are very similar, both say "You will be charmed by the quality of sound projection and the professional feel of this instrument. The high position bore means resistance is lowered. This clarinet is extremely comfortable to play thanks to its irreproachable keywork."
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Author: jthole
Date: 2017-06-07 10:48
I know I am kicking up an old topic ... but someone I know bought a used Buffet "Conservatoire" clarinet, and he was told it was a professional model (whatever that means). I have tried it, and from how it feels and plays, I would say it is very much like a Buffet E13 clarinet. Any chance that this European(?) model is the same as the clarinet that was sold as the "Limité" in the USA? The Buffet site is very vague, but seems to suggest that the E13 and "Conservatoire" are similar models. I have never seen one before, but I have played several E13 clarinets (very popular model over here).
It played nice, and he got it for a good price, so either way it was a good buy for him.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2017-06-07 22:24
In about 1992, I bought a NOS Buffet clarinet from a music store that had a serial number from 1971. It looked like and played like an R13. It came in a single nice attache case, too large for one clarinet. Inside on the plush interior in gold letters is printed "Buffet Crampon" "Limited Edition". While this is not related to the original post, does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!
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