 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan
Date: 2001-08-16 07:32
Hi all. First I want to say that this is such a cool place to meet online. I'm a new clarinet player. I used to play the alto sax for 5 yrs. And I'm now switching to Clarinet. I need some help in what to purchase.
1) Does wood and plastic clarinets really make a big different?
2) Is the choice of mouth piece very important? And what are some models that you suggest?
3)What do you think about the Selmer CL201?
4) What should I look for when purchasing a used clarinet?
Thanks in advance ,
yours, Dan.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-08-16 07:49
Hey Dan,
Welcome to the world of clarinet! Hopefully I can answer your questions well enough.
1) When you're first starting out, wood or plastic doesn't make much of a difference. No matter what it's made out of, it would be much more important to make sure it's kept and working in proper adjustment. Have an experienced repair person fully check out your horn and ensure that it's playing properly. Now, if it's plastic and it requires $200 or more for the overhaul, then you might want to consider a wood clarinet - because your money will go further. Wood is a better investment in the long run.
2) Mouthpiece is one of the most critical components of your clarinet. I've heard some great things about Greg Smith, Pyne and the always popular Vandoren. You usually get what you pay for. I myself have been using the Vandoren M13 with much satisfaction, but I'd love to try out a Greg Smith mouthpiece one day.
3) I haven't played too many Selmer clarinets. Couldn't comment on the CL201. Is it wood? I don't even know. If I could recommend out of what I know about, I'd recommend a Buffet B-12 (plastic) or E-11 (intermediate wood), or most of the Leblanc line.
4) If you're looking for a used clarinet - look for a Buffet R-13 if you can. You'll know it's an R-13 because it WON'T indicate it's an R-13. Whatever you do - buy wood if you're getting a used clarinet. Look at pawn shops. I found an R-13 for $399 because I knew what to look for, and the owners didn't have a clue.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to the other replies that'll post.
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Author: Dan
Date: 2001-08-16 13:04
Does the R-13 even indicates the Buffet logo on it?
And it it true that a new wood clarinet needs some time to "settle in" before the tones get better. And if that's the case, how long would that be?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-08-16 14:39
Dan -
For many years, Buffet made only one type of clarinet, with no model designation. In U.S. catalogs, the standard key layout had the catalog code R-13. Instruments with extra keys had different numbers, going up by half-numbers to R-16 or perhaps R-16-1/2 for the "full boehm" instrument. For more, see the thread at http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=51235&t=51135 .
When they changed the design in the early 1950s, introducing the polycylindrical bore design, they officially named it the R-13. Since it was still the only clarinet carrying the Buffet trademark, they didn't put a model number on it. Other models, lower down the Buffet food chain, had different logos, such as Evette or "Evette-Schaffer (Sponsored by Buffet)."
Eventually, Bossey & Hawkes bought up the Buffet company. The Buffet name had great value, and it became apparent that sales of student-quality clarinets would be better if they carried the Buffet logo. To distinguish these models, B&H stamped model numbers on them. However, they still sell the R-13 without a model number.
Buffet now has several other top-of-the-line models, including the RC, the Festival and the Elite, all of which are more expensive and, according to Buffet, better than the R-13. Confusingly, they also make a "Prestige" version of the R-13 and RC, which is claimed to have better quality wood, and which has silver-plated keys, an adjustable thumb-rest and an Ab/Eb key for the left little finger. All of these models are marked, but the R-13 still carries no model indication.
* * *
All wood clarinets "settle in" over the first year or so, almost always getting better. There are lots of theories about why this is so. I think the most likely reason is that water soaks into the wood, and it re-stabilizes at a new interior humidity level. Running the swab through may also polish the bore slightly. Key action may press a groove in the pads so they seat better. Other explanations seem less likely. I doubt that vibration somehow aligns the wood fibers better, or that the wood loosens up or "learns" to vibrate better.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-08-16 22:18
Dan wrote:
>
> ...
> 1) Does wood and plastic clarinets really make a big different?
The question should really be does beginner vs intermediate vs pro grade instrument make a difference. Material makes no difference. Design and construction do. At this point in time, most student clarinets are plastic and most intermediate and higher clarinets are wood. However there are some exceptions.
Whatever level of instrument you buy, I suggest you stick to the four major makers as they are known for making quality instruments. These are Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer, and Yamaha. All make instruments in student grades through pro grades. Yes there are good used horns from makers no longer in business but it takes some skill to tell the treasures from the trash.
> 2) Is the choice of mouth piece very important? And what are
> some models that you suggest?
A quality mouthpiece is very important. A high quality mouthpiece on a student grade horn will produce a good sound. On the other hand, a bad mouthpiece can make the finest professional horn sound like junk. Vandorens are a popular choice. Less expensive and recommended by many on this board are the Hite Premier and Fobes Debut.
>
> 3)What do you think about the Selmer CL201?
Have no personal experience with it.
> 4) What should I look for when purchasing a used clarinet?
Take along an experience player to check it out or take it to a technician to look it over before you buy (or make sure the seller will let you return it and refund your money if the tech says it's not up to par).
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Author: Dan
Date: 2001-08-16 23:50
Thanks everyone for the inputs. These info really help me in searching for a clarinet. Because of budget constraint, I have decided to settle on a student plastic model, with a vandoren Mouth piece. Later on, when I decided to upgrade to a wood clarinet, i can still keep the mouth piece.
by the way, Which of the following will be a good mouth piece: a) B45 b) B45 Lyre c) B5RV Lyre.
-Dan.
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Author: Marina
Date: 2001-08-17 20:12
Where on a Buffet clarinet is the model number usually printed?
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Author: Josh
Date: 2001-08-18 13:12
directly underneath the Buffet insignia on the upper joint, above the throat A key
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Author: Anna
Date: 2001-08-20 10:45
My R-13 has silver plated keys....and it's not a Prestige.....but as for mouthpiece choice, it's a very personal thing. You'd need to try them all and decide which one works best for you. There is no one mouthpiece which is "better" than any other - it may be better for a particular person but not be for you. Experiment! Have some fun!
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