 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Lethallyn
Date: 2011-09-02 00:27
Hello people! I'm new in this website and I've found nice conversations about our passion: music and clarinets.
Right now, I'm looking for a clarinet to buy as soon as possible and I need advises. One of the best clarinetist in Canada suggested me to buy a Buffet Festival. However, I don't know it. Someone knows about this kind of Buffet? and comparing with Yamahas...
I'd appreciate any suggestions!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lethallyn
Date: 2011-09-02 00:42
Ohhh I forgot to say that I've been playing for 5 years and right now I want to buy a professional clarinet. I could buy something no more than 4,500, although I found an special in Montreal where some buffets are so cheap. Festival Buffet for 3,600 dollars, Tosca for 5,000...
thanks again and waiting for advises!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2011-09-02 01:32
There are some real pros that post on this board and you'll get the best advice from them but, from my own experience (as an adult hobbyist), selecting a clarinet that works for me is really just that: what works for me.
At $4,500 Canadian (which is presently about 1 to 1 with the US dollar), all the major brands will have great instruments. The Buffet mafia tends to win the bulk of the action but, it might not be the right choice in your hands. Get into a good music store with a wide selection and test them all! You'll know when you hit the one that best lets you express your unique sound and talent.
Also, don't forget to allocate some of that money for a nice mouthpiece and barrel. Looks like you are Canadian so, don't overlook your fellow countryman's products (Backun), which are my personal favorites.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2011-09-02 01:53
FWIW, I tried a Buffet Festival at a convention a few months ago and found it the most simliar Buffet clarinet to my Yamaha CSG. Except the CSG is less expensive and better ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lethallyn
Date: 2011-09-02 02:10
Thank you! I'll check Yamaha too. And yeah, I listened about those Yamaha CSG and they looks really nice. Although I asked about Buffet Festival because some great clarinetist suggested me it. However, I'll listen more advises!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-09-02 12:26
What kind of music do you play or intend to play? Strictly classical? Jazz? Just curious cause the buffet festival, in my opinion, is more of an "all-around" clarinet. But if all I played was classical or chamber music, I'd look at something OTHER than a fstival. Just my opinion.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2011-09-02 14:43
If (new) Buffet Vintages (the model of clarinet, NOT "old" clarinets) are your interest
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=354382&t=354382
you may find that ones available to you for purchase do or don't come with left and Eb levers, despite Buffet's marketing on their web page.
A couple of weeks ago, the best we could come up in the above post regarding this level issue was that the Vintages marketed to the UK had these levers, while those marketing in the States did not.
If true, I don't know where Canada sits in Buffets marketing map of the world (UK, US, or it's own space, or "other").
Also, try the Search feature at the top of the page and type something like "R13 vs. Tosca," or Yamaha vs. Buffet."
BTW: why are these clarinets you mention on "special" sale? Back to school sale or something?
Good luck with your purchase. One opinion though: I realize that you may want this to be the last horn you ever buy, but many players find the added features beyond the R13 a waste of $. I can't speak to your financials, but can say that clarinet playing costs losts of money even after purchase of the horn. And you may want to save your money for these after purchase expenses, like reeds, lessons, repairs, accessories, and non-clarinet purchases.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2011-09-02 15:23
Try ,before buy, many of the same make and model. You will likely discover differences. A small percent of artist quality clarinets are available directly from the manufacturers. Again , try many if possible.
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-03 13:46
I tried a few "A" R13 clarinets, including the Tosca and the Vintage. They both were very good. I played several R13 horns, the key here, is about me, I liked and bought the bottom line nickel R13. ($3000) I actually had the old Vintage from the old days but didn't like it after playing the new R13. The sound of the old and the new vintage were fine, sounded great, had a different air flow feel. I don't know, for me I really enjoy the new R13's.
Pitch wise the new Vintage horn was out of tune on several of the notes, not so with the new R13, nor the vintage I owned from the late 1960's. I was a bit disapointed.
As far as the Tosca, it is a very different horn, but not for $3000 more. It has a lot of the same qualities as the R13 as far as the tone and the pitch. IMO the tosca was a shade brighter, more like the French school style. The new R13 I bought is not as bright, but not as dark as the German players look for.
An important point here - It's really becoming a fine line now, between the American, French, and German sounds, unlike 30 or more years ago. Now it seems like we may be splitting hairs. The world is finding Americans sitting in both the German and French orchestras and this is why we are starting to split hairs.
I'm buying another horn in a month or 2, a Bb. I'll try out the tosca again and measure the bore of the barrel, the upper and lower joints. I have some special measuring tools that can mesure within just a human hair. (a black hair if interested!) See whats up with the bores and the key hole designs.
Maybe I am also weird here, but the straighter the grain the better the sound. This is sooo slight, I'm not sure if it was me believing that or if I was totally wrong.
Whatever you do buy, bring a tuner. If you forget to bring one buy one for $30 or so at the store. I have a decent ear, but I couldn't ever match a tuner; not even close. Most of use know when we are sharp or flat in an orchestra setting, but not so much when you are playing alone. You can still hear the pitch, but far from what a tuner can tell you. 12th's are the hardest to tell. If the 12ths are off it could be fixed, but don't count on it.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-09-04 10:55)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lethallyn
Date: 2011-09-05 04:09
Thank you very much, I'll try as many as possible to make a decision.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
