 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-30 23:54
Three months ago I started playing clarinet with a new rental Yamaha CL-20 plastic clarinet. It sounded nice, it had a nice feel, the key action was very good, and it was generally well made. It made me want to play a lot, which I did. I couldn’t imagine a clarinet being better. The 4C mouthpiece is very nice, but since I planned to return the clarinet, I purchased a Fobes Debut mouthpiece which (for me) is as nice as the 4C. The case is very compact, and very well made.
A couple of weeks ago, I tried some professional model clarinets, and the Buffet B-12 plastic clarinet. The B-12 felt lighter, smaller around, and I liked its wood grain finish. It sounded similar to the Yamaha, but I was using the Fobes mouthpiece.
I returned the Yamaha, and purchased a Buffet B-12. I am very disappointed. There is some slight play in the keys, and the action feels sluggish (I guess this could be adjusted). I find some of the little finger keys awkward to reach (is this my imagination?). Based on what people have said on this board, the mouthpiece should be replaced. The case is another big disappointment. It is cheaply made, compared to the Yamaha case, and the handle position makes it awkward to use the latch.
So, today I ordered a Yamaha CL-20, and I will be returning the Buffet. The prices are about the same, and with the Yamaha you get a decent mouthpiece, and a very nice case.
This is my experience, and others may have more postive experiences and opinions. . I know the Buffet B-12 is frequently recommended for beginners, but my experience make me wonder. Maybe I got an exceptional Yamaha or Buffet.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-12-01 00:03
When I first played clarinet I rented a Buffet B12. It was an okay horn, but then I got my Yamaha 20 and wondered how I had ever played on that Buffet.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-12-01 00:12
I too liked the Yamaha plastic horns, they feel nicer than the Buffet and the Vito ones. The only reason I could try them is because my neighbours were looking to purchase a clarinet for their 9-year old, and since they figured I knew something about them, they enlisted my help.(smart neighbours) Ended up trying B-12s, Yamahas, and Vitos, a Yamaha was my choice for her. And I'm going to help my 10-year-old cousin rent an instrument this weekend! (her school one is in relatively bad shape, and I've convinced her parents to rent one from a music store for her, with an option to buy)
If I ever needed to buy a marching horn, though, I would seriously consider the Yamaha. (although I don't, and probably don't really need a backup horn anyway)
Meri
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-12-01 05:46
I've noticed that the Buffet cases some of the kids at school don't even have a place to put spare reeds, cork grease or anything. What ever happened to those good ol' cases that had room for all that plus your music?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2000-12-01 14:51
As a repair tech, I have some notes as follows:
B12: Cork glue fails - dry and brittle. Keys bend very easily. Synthetic tenon cork which has too much friction and does not retain cork grease to overcome this friction. Sloppy pivot screw that wobble, making linkages unreliable. Brittle membrane on pads. Loose post. Oh dear! Not a happy list!
Yamaha. I have encountered only one small problem. Where the left hand F/C lever links to the right hand F/C key there is a silencing 'cork' . The geometry of the keys is such that the cork gets chewed off. I permanently correct this in about 10 minutes by using a much thinner, super strong material instead of the cork, and filling the resulting gap with a small sheet of silver inconspicuously soldered on the f/C key's arm to bring it closer to the lever where they meet.
It is a great clarinet. As with almost all new instruments, some adjustments are warranted.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-01 14:05
Willie wrote:
>
> I've noticed that the Buffet cases some of the kids at
> school don't even have a place to put spare reeds, cork grease
> or anything. What ever happened to those good ol' cases that
> had room for all that plus your music?
The ones with room for music are not standard cases. It is possible that the store may have substituted a better case to improve sales.
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Author: Paul Lester
Date: 2000-12-03 03:28
Bill;
I'm considering purchasing a plastic horn for outside work.
The YCL20 is listed on the Yamaha web page but the YCL24 or YCL24 II isn't listed. Just wondering what the differences are between the two horns? I can purchase a used YCL24 at a great price. But am hestitating because I'm unable to locate any info regarding the horn.
Have you or other listers run across the YCL24 in your Yamaha world?
Thanks,
Paul
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-04 11:22
Author: Paul Lester wrote:
I'm considering purchasing a plastic horn for outside work.
The YCL20 is listed on the Yamaha web page but the YCL24 or YCL24 II isn't listed. Just wondering what the differences are between the two horns? I can purchase a used YCL24 at a great price. But am hestitating because I'm unable to locate any info regarding the horn.
Have you or other listers run across the YCL24 in your Yamaha world?
-------------------------------------------------------
You can find info on the YCL-24 searching the Klarinet archives. One post stated: "Yamaha's standard models are the YCL-20 (plastic) and YCL-34 (wood). They did at one time market a YCL-24 II. Oddly enough, this was actually a Vito
with differently-sculpted trill keys! "
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