 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-10-21 18:44
I have been recently surveying the popularity of Buffet and Selmer clarinets, as this has been quite a discussion amongst professionals orchestral musicians. Which brand of clarinets do you prefer more? And please do say your favorite model!
Josh
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-10-21 23:53
Whichever instrument allows you to play the way you want to is the best one for you. Who cares what others have? Make your own music and try not to be (as in the old Subaru commercial) "just another pathetic sheep following the herd."
I have played pro-level Buffets, Leblancs, Yamahas and Ridenours. All have been quite good!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-22 05:05
I've always found that Selmers are not as smooth, not quite as well in tune, but have more character and a certain "rusticity" that I find missing in Buffet. I dare say, our clarinets, combine the best of both worlds.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-10-22 22:58
Lately (starting with the Recital) Selmer has been attempting to loose their reputation for being a "jazz clarinet." I thought they got pretty close with the Signature. I had in fact even dabbled with the idea of getting one the last time I felt a need to upgrade. It just didn't have quite enough 'punch' or 'oomph' (if y'all will excuse the technical terms).
The Privilege clarinets though really seem to be squarely aimed at unseating Buffet from its vaulted throne as THE symphonic clarinet. Of the six or so that I had tried, ALL had EXCEPTIONALLY even internal pitch (moving from note to note, NOT a perfect A=440..... that's up to you!). This in itself is a monumental achievement that Buffet cannot match in that one needs to try many horns to find a Buffet that will have that sort of evenness.
And then there is the firm, centered sound with plenty of room for dynamic contrast. I cannot say enough about the Privilege as a serious classical horn. Of course the physical feel of the horn (how the keys are shaped and set up) is unique to Selmer and may not be an immediate match for Buffetephites.
For my money, the Selmer Privilege could be a 'Buffet Killer' if given half the chance.
....................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-23 05:06
I have played Récital since it came out because I thought it was a good compromise between the French and German clarinet in terms of sound. The drawback is the thickness of its diameter, which slows you down technically, and its weight. The Signature I didn't like at all; not its sound and not the fact that it resists too much. The new Privilège -the latest model-I haven't tried, but a friend of mine who is one of France's top clarinetists and has always played Buffet, has and he said exactly the same thing as Paull: he was most impressed. It seems that Selmer has a winner here and the company needs it; times are hard.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-10-23 13:34
I just wish Selmer would offer large bore clarinets based on the CT or BT for players that want them as top notch old CTs and BTs are getting harder to come by.
Having played large bore Selmers, I find Buffet R13s and RCs nice, but very restrictive.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TAS
Date: 2013-10-23 18:41
Professional orchestra clarinetists overwhelmingly prefer the Buffet.
Problem is, which Buffet? Which pro model?
Going to Jacksonville FL to try as many as it takes before you find the "perfect" instrument may be worth the trip.
I agree with others that there are other very fine clarinets, Selmer being one.
TAS
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-10-24 05:22
TAS: Well, the Buffet R13 has been the staple clarinet of most orchestras for years. It is claimed to the clarinet "that will satify everything at a good cost". The RC is great too. However, me and my teacher Michael(former bass clarinettist of HK Phil) do dislike other Buffet clarinets. Michael dislikes the Tosca for he thinks it has a coarse sound, and he is not convinced about the Divine either. I dislike the entire Prestige line(Bb and bass) because of their fat, stuffy sound. There is a Divine available in the music store in town, and I'm trying it someday.
As for Selmers I haven't been able to try one yet as they aren't available here in HK. I've listened to the Recital before and it's quite nice. I am going to listen to the other models online soon. My targeted instrument is the St. Louis. Any ideas?
To digress, my favorite clarinets ever are the Wurlitzers. They are crystal clear and genuine which neither a Buffet and Selmer can do. They're also powerful to cut through the orchestra, a feat that no other German clarinets have surpassed.
Josh
Post Edited (2013-10-24 19:47)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-24 06:32
There are (used) Wurlitzer boehm-reformed clarinets from the golden age of this instrument in the Netherlands, as most professional clarinetists there have switched to Leitner-Krauss, whose tone is less beautiful but which are considered better in tune. The Selmer St. Louis is a nice instrument, but nothing extraordinary. I will try out a few of the latest Privilèges next week. Selmer has worked long and hard on them and I have been told they are a winnner.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-10-24 19:51
Mosieur Ruben,
Can you introduce the name of your clarinet company to me? I'm interested of what you make.
Josh
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-25 09:02
JL-Clarinettes. The best think to do is to get in touch with me personally
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kilo
Date: 2013-10-25 11:46
I wish Selmer would come out with a high-end composite a la GreenLine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-10-25 12:20
Better they don't considering how much trouble Greenline instruments are!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ChuChu
Date: 2013-10-26 03:01
Well beware of new Selmer-Paris clarinets as many have noticed the poor quality of the wood used on their professional instruments. The open grain pattern of the wood and the oil immersion treatment that they do make these clarinets go bad fast sooner than not. I was lucky to pick out a Signature A clarinet with a good tight grained wood and excellent sound and response that has lasted me 6 years without cracking or problems, but I was not so lucky with the Bb Signatures and they have cracked and failed quite quickly in a few months. Never buy a clarinet that is very open grained as it is doomed to fail because it will not be able to handle the moisture and they are more prone to cracking.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-26 11:30
I have just tried out the new Selmer Privilège and I wholeheartedly agree with Paul: creamy sound, focused, as well in tune as clarinet will ever get, smooth and even with just the right amount of grit. In addition to this, it is an object of great beauty. It almost hurts to admit all of this, because I work for a rival firm, albeit a tiny rival
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph
Date: 2013-10-28 17:24
A couple of questions for Ruben:
1. I also play the Recital and to date have gladly traded the extra weight for the beautiful sound that the Recital is capable of producing. Is the Privilege enough of an improvement to warrant an upgrade ? I'd like to hear your perspective.
2. You mentioned above that "times are hard". Is your comment related to general economic conditions in France and the music industry or specifically to the Henri Selmer company ?
Ralph
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: weberfan
Date: 2013-10-29 16:43
Not to skirt the OP's question, but....
I play an R-13. When I play it well, it sounds good. Other times, not so much.
Two days ago, I heard Stephen Williamson, the NY Philharmonic's new principal clarinet, perform the Mozart quintet with the Brentano String Quartet. He played his Selmer Signature. He and his clarinet were superb.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2013-10-29 20:30
Dear Ralph,
I insist that I am referring to the new Privilège by Selmer and not the one that has been around for a few years. For the sake of clarity, they should have called it "Privilège II" or something of the sort, but maybe they have. At any rate, it is a considerable improvement on the original Privilège.
To answer your two questions, Ralph:
The Recital is unique and the Privilège does not share its uniqueness. I will stick to my Recital and the clarinet we make (JL-clarinettes -la Diva). It doesn't have the warmth, roundness and softness of the Recital. Neither does it share that "open", vocal quality. The Recital is very thick-walled, has a very narrow bore and a flare that is similar to that of German clarinets (very cylindrical and only flaring out as it approaches the bell. The Selmer Signature was supposed to reproduce the qualities of the Recital without the former's drawbacks (weight, thickness), but I feel it altogether failed in doing this.
In answer to your question about hard times: Selmer was hard hit by the economic difficulties of Japan after Fukushima. Japan is one of its main customers. Most of their income comes from saxophones and they no longer have the monopoly hold on this that they formerly had. They have discontinued making bassoons, brass instruments and what not. In addition to this, hired labour charges are horrifically high in France, which makes it hard to remain competitive.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
