 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: licorice_man
Date: 2005-07-08 01:40
I was at a local music store and was told my 1968 and 1974 R13s are worth as much as a 1990+ R13. The reason according to the sales staff was that the wood was aged although neither clarinet is cracked or checked.
I told him I thought the wood be less likely to crack as the the moisture content had stabilized and was likely to crack as a newe clarinet,
What are other' thoughts?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-08 02:01
In my mind the quality of the wood was definitely a consideration when I chose to stay with the older R-13's, primarily from the mid 1960's to early 1970's. Although certainly not a guarantee, a clarinet that has been crack free and stable for 30+ years has a high percentage chance of staying that way forever.
It is no secret that the length of time the wood is now aged is less than in previous generations. The jury is still out as to whether this has an effect on the sound and/or reliability of the instrument.
Although Buffet clarinets from the so-called "Golden Age" (85xxx - 120xxx) will never reach the prices of other vintage instruments (ex: Selmer saxophones), if they are maintained well and are crack free, they should hold their value well in future years.
Another point which I've posed before:
In the 50's and 60's the R13 was the top of the line Buffet clarinet. Supposedly, only the best wood was used for these instruments. Wood which was flawed or less than perfect was relegated to the lesser models.
Today, with a number of Buffet clarinets (Tosca, Prestige, etc...) at a higher price point than the standard R13, one has to wonder:
If the highest quality grenadilla billets are used for these higher priced instruments, does the R13 now get the 2nd or 3rd (or 4th) best quality grenadilla?
Buffet makes it no secret when they say that their "heartwood" now goes into their top brands. Where did it go before? My guess is that it previously (and sporadically) went into the traditional R13.
Perhaps those are the vintage R13's which everyone is holding onto...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2005-07-08 14:45
In support of GBK's comments regarding wood quality, all of my vintage--circa 67XXX to 80XXX--R13's (two Bb, one A) still play as good as they did when new. And despite the environmental hazards of our wonderful Wisconsin weather--with occassional ventures into Illinois, Minnisota and "sunny" Florida--they have never cracked. In contrast, however, my symphonic college recently bought a new set of Buffet Internationals and almost immediantly, her Bb's top joint experianced a severe crack. Must be something about that "old" wood.........................
Post Edited (2005-07-08 22:48)
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2005-07-09 16:52
I've had my Selmer MK VI alto for 45 years. It has never cracked..........
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