 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: james
Date: 2002-05-12 20:42
I have noticed that there are all these choices of models you can get from the buffet company. Before i thought usually the R13 was just considered their professional model but in recent years people have been picking the, Prestige R-13, Prestige RC, RC, Festival, Elite and so on..... What is your opinion on how each of these instruments play?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-12 23:46
Buffet is a very fine instrument. It is NOT the only professional clarinet. Make sure you try out the instruments yourself and make a value judgement based on your own experiences of playing several brands.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-05-13 00:07
James,
I think the timbral differences in each of these models ends up being mostly 'ironed out' by the player's concept of tone.
US favours R13s, in Europe the RC is the weapon of choice; in professional orchs here in Australia the Festival is popular.
Aside from slight bore differences, the big thing is register vent placement.The R13 has a lower placed vent than the other models. Where the vent sits affects the tuning, particularly of the left hand 12ths and the bottom end of the range. For instance the higher vent placement on the Festival and RC means better tuning on left hand 12ths but a flatter low G,F,E. It's all compromise.
The Prestige line has tighter-grained unstained grenadilla wood (the concensus is that the quality of the grenadilla has little effect on tone), tenon caps, an extra key and a little badge. The computer controlled machinery used to make the standard R13 also bores the Prestige R13s holes. I have heard that there's a bit of extra effort made at the factory in selecting bells and barrels for the Prestige range, but you can often do that youself; shops tend to carry far more standard models than prestige models. You can swap bells and barrels yourself and hear what sounds best.
These are personal impressions gained from playing extensively on R13s and RCs both in standard and prestige models and Festivals.
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Author: forest@woodwind.org
Date: 2002-05-14 01:08
Isn't it great! They are all top line pro instruments. Each offers up something a little different.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-05-14 01:50
OK forest, "brevity" is now my watchword.
K.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-05-14 16:35
I have a Festival and really like the nice tone I get from it. I also enjoy the extra Eb/Ab key. It feels good in the hand and is a bit lighter than the R-13.
The R-13 is always an excellent choice. Band or orchestra leaders seem to prefer the R-13 "tone."
Mouthpieces play an extremely important role in tone, as do many other things--and I recommend Greg Smith's for the Buffet clarinet over anyone else right now.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-05-16 11:32
It doesn't stop with Buffet's! A full range of Leblanc's from Noblet to Opus and beyond, Yamaha models galore, Hammerschmidts for $5000 or more the list is endless. Just keep spending.
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-05-21 11:18
The amount of models to choose from is confusing and also makes one wonder if they the manufacturers aren't sure what a clarinet is...the R13 is always a safe purchase by please play then pay, don't get burnt by a flat tuning clarinet no matter what....the profusion of bore designs and options is a bit much...also note Leblanc has a pile of models and again more confusion...this amount of choice doesn't mean the prices are better though!!!!
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