 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-06-15 02:33
I currently play an R-13 Bb, and I'm looking to buy an A clarinet in the near future. I wanted to look into other brands (nothing wrong with Buffets, just curious about other options) but was told that LeBlancs (the brand I was particularly interested in trying) don't project as well and that most symphonic clarinetists play Buffets...
From what I've noticed, most professionals that I know of endorse brands other than Buffets (LeBlanc, Eaton, Rossi... for example). Of course, endorsing a brand and actually using it aren't necessarily the same thing... but I was just wondering if anyone had any info about what is the "preferred" brand among most professionals (if there is one...)?
Thanks,
Don
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
PS - Before anyone gets preachy, I realize that my ultimate decision should be based on the individual instrument and how well it matches the sound of my Bb, not simply the brand that most professionals prefer... I'm just curious = )
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-15 15:09
I own a vintage Buffet R13 A as well as a Leblanc Concerto A, and periodically switch between playing the two in my orchestral gig. The Buffet has a "brighter" sound which seems to project, but has some "problem" notes (quality wise)and is much more difficult to play in tune. The Concerto has a "seamless" scale throughout its entire range and is easily played in tune, but has a "darker" sound that seems harder to project. However, based on the fact that no one playing beside me seems to notice when I have actually switched instruments, the tone quality and projection issues that I imagine may be just that--all in my own head and not in the real performance of the clarinets.
I am currently playing my set of LeBlanc Concertos (impeccable intonation and scale, both horns) , but am keeping my Buffets "in the wings" just in case (no pun intended) I think I need "a change." But really, I suspect that the projection issue may be something that only "I" perceive, but no one else.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-06-15 15:35
As F Sccott Fitzgerald said
The Pros are different from you and I
Now what does that have anything to do with this thread???
Just tired out from a week away from home.
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Author: Katie
Date: 2003-06-15 18:20
Tell Larry Combs that Leblancs don't project as well...
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Author: martin
Date: 2003-06-15 18:51
According to the program notes of Clarinetfest 2001
B flat Clarinets:
Buffet - 27
Yamaha - 10
Selmer - 6
LeBlanc - 6
Rossi- 4
Howarth - 1
Chadash - 1
Wurlitzer - 2
Martin
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-15 20:28
i have wrote this reply about a dozen times. so I am going to do points. They aren't going to be in order. Forgive me.
Recently I have yet again gone on another clarinet search, and I went in to try them out with several preconceptions in mind, it was interesting to see how our preconceptions may often fool us or not:
- I feel Leblanc clarinets can project like you wouldn't believe. Larry Combs can definitely cut through an orchestra. when I played on them, I felt very comfortable cutting through the orchestra as well when i played on a set of Leblancs.
- However,it is the common perception,and most likely fact, that most professional clarinetist use buffet (it's a fact, sorry if I offend anyone, apparently they just tend to work for more people).
- It is great we have options so for people that buffet don't work for, they can find something that does work for them.
- I really doubt you will find something outside of buffet that will match your R-13 Bb clarinet but it's always worth a try. I used a concerto A. It didn't match at all. But you never know, it was just one horn, and perhaps there is a concerto A that matches with it. Different reeds/mpc worked with each horn.
- Greenline clarinets can be very good. I am beginning to doubt that wood makes a huge difference. I am uncertain of the difference however in Buffet's usage of M'Pingo wood, especially for their Prestige Models.
- I have had a Leblanc Concerto A for several years. I have just recently went back to IMS to pick out an A clarinet. I was very determined to go in and buy an R-13A clarinet because I love the way my R-13Bb works. I went in and I didn't like any of them. I couldn't believe they were the same model as my Bb clarinet. I had stuffy D/A's. The grunt that really loves to appear in Pines of Rome and an over all unevenness in tone. For kicks I decided to try Buffet Festival and greenline festival. I have tried the Bb clarinets of those two models and didn't like them. I had found they weren't as flexible as the r13, once again, you never know, all clarinets are different.
When I tried to greenline festivals in A I was shocked to say the least. It had this tone that was so amazingly clear and beautiful. It was even in all registers the tone matches almost everywhere. Intonation is within five cents on everything. The greenlines i tried made every other wood clarinet seem to sound like a plastic. It essentially had all the qualities that I expected to find in a wood R-13 A clarinet.
Now I have the horn on approval right now. I am not sure if I will keep it. I am pretty close minded. I still kind of want a wood clarinet that has my R-13 but after playing on this my mind could change. I have been told though that the festivals don't project. I really wouldn't know for sure because I don't have a lot of play time on them. The only thing I didn't like and didn’t really notice until after I left the shop is that the throat Bb is stuffy, perhaps it is just more so because the rest of the horn is so amazingly resonant, i don't know.
After two paragraphs of rambling. I am pretty much saying, try the festival (and greenline festival). It could make picking an A clarinet a very very easy choice to make.
sorry if all this rambling is unclear! Good luck!!
- James
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-06-15 23:21
I play Oehler system so my choices are a little less clear. I am using a Yamaha at the moment but I am not completely happy. There are problems with swelling during wet weather and a touch long key adjustment. I am thinking about a higher level Yamaha but may end up on a Schreiber because a local dealer is possibly going to give me one in exchange for some workshopping time, I am also working on Yamaha for the same deal which I got last time. They must still be keen because they just sent me a Custom 4C mouthpiece to try out of the blue.
I am a professional player, jazz, swing and ethnic, and I go through a horn about every 2 years. Mostly because of the amount of outside playing and climactic stress. I tend not to go for the most expensive horn but the most practical. Orchestral clarinettists definitely need to buy up the grades because of the close scrutiny that they are under and need all the help they can get. Most pro's however regard instruments as working tools not idols for worship. Sentimentality about instruments is in the realm of the dedicated amateur, no insult intended but a fact of life.
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Author: Alex
Date: 2003-06-17 00:25
Hello,
My friend recently bought Luis Rossi A clarinet.May be it cost more then regular Buffet or Leblanc,but it instrument almost plays itself!If you want to "sing" with your instrument-buy Luis Rossi.Also Chadash makes great instrumnets,you can read about on his web site.
Good luck!
Alex
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-17 13:03
Someone gave Kenny Davern an expensive LeBlanc(see eBay) and he's getting rid of it because he likes his old rubber Pedler and plastic Conn better
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-06-17 23:41
Is Kenny still playing out in Arizona?
Last time I saw his horn, it was green like a ripe olive...
Bet it smells like the brand he smokes, too!
Ahh... but that sound...
Maybe you must have properly aged, de-vulcanized rubber, well smoked in order to play that well?
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