 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mikal
Date: 2003-02-12 10:41
I've noticed that many clarinetist choose Buffet R-13....so what's so good about R-13?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-12 11:57
The truth is that these are well made, and were adopted as a standard by many influential teachers in the 1960's.
The desire exists in many orchestral players to blend in with an established sound.
This is not to say that other makers are under-represented amongst the top players (who often have custom work done on their horns) but that the average student will have less difficulty finding a nice sound, and good scale from most R13s.
There are LOTS of choices out there for a player searching for an instrument with a unique sound and good play characteristics.
Many players buying a professional clarinet for the first time are in their early teens and are influenced strongly by existing market share and brand recognition.
I can't tell you how many times a kid has come to try out my horns with "Buffet or Bust" on their minds.
The good news is that you can find superior Yamaha, Selmer and LeBlanc professional clarinets second hand at bargain prices.
From 10 feet away, I challenge anyone to say what you're playing!
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Author: Bazzer the Jazzer
Date: 2003-02-12 13:05
I love that statement about the 10 feet challenge, its the truth and I wish I had said it first, but it never entered my head.
Barrie
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-12 13:48
I tend to go back to my R-13 after playing the others because of the tone and the way it plays. The "plays well with others" syndrome is pretty important when you're playing in different places a lot. You never know what the other player will be using, and the R-13 is a good choice for me. I like the flexibility of the R-13. It's good for all kinds of music from classical to Klezmer.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-02-12 13:53
Amo, Amas, Amati!
Some teachers get downright snotty,
If you havent quite got the beans
To pony-up for R-13's
That's where you'll be, and where you'll stay
The magic mark--ten feet away
You won't infect your peers that way
And the 'mafia' will never hear you play.
Bob A
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2003-02-12 14:05
The R-13 is the Toyota Camry of clarinets --- a safe bet, almost everyone has one, well-made, blends in. But as pointed out above there are LOTS of other good clarinet choices out there, just as there are lots of car choices.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-12 14:33
Yes, David is right. There are lots of good clarinets out there. I've always been a Leblanc fan as well as Buffet R-13. The intonation on the Leblancs is easier for advancing players. That's why I've never understood why the teachers in our area insist on the R-13. The R-13 is an excellent upper level to professional level instrument, but for a kid (or an adult) that doesn't want to spend all their time "pitching" tones the Leblancs are a bit better.
This, of course, is merely my opinion.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-12 14:40
Synonymous Botch, great name!
I think some of what you say about Buffet R-13s is true.
But, in the 40+ years I've been playing Buffets and other clarinets, I can tell the difference between the different makes.
Simply, sitting next to a fine player who is playing a Buffet R-13, then hearing him (or her) months later on a fine Yamaha or new Selmer, I immediately hear a big difference. Sometimes better, sometimes not, but a definite difference.
Many of us grew up playing and enjoying the Buffet "sweetest sound" clarinets, but there are now other fine new instruments. It doesn't mean that the Buffet R-13 is now inferior, it just means there are now other fine instruments to choose from.
I don't work for Buffet, and I've been approached to become an "Artist/Promotor" for their horns. But I've always refused, I just like the Buffet R-13 with no strings attached. When, and if, I find a better clarinet, I'll buy and play it. So far, in the hundreds of clarinets I've played, purchased, and tried out for students, Buffet R-13s work the best. Enough said.
JJM
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Author: Frank
Date: 2003-02-12 14:56
I don't play an R-13, or for that matter an old MarkVI tenor because I think you'll like them....I play them because I like 'em
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Author: Mark Sloss
Date: 2003-02-12 16:37
Because when the Buffet mafia says something's good, you don't argue or you get your reeds broken. I'm from Jersey, so I know.
Find clarinet players you enjoy listening to, and find out what they play. Those that choose the R13 do so because it provides them the easiest path to what they are trying to achieve as clarinetists. Doesn't make them superior, just makes them the right tools for those players and fits the aesthetic expectations of their audiences.
Mikal, go try 'em. Try some Selmers. Try some Leblancs. Have somebody good that you respect play them for you. Decide for yourself.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-02-12 21:06
My advice ... don't take risks, don't try the others, take the path all the sheep tread and buy an R-13 you'll have a grief free life.
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2003-02-12 21:14
I have a Buffet Crampon that I bought in 1969. Someone asked me if it was an R-13. I looked at the numbers, one on the upper part, one on the lower part. I did not find R13. I did however find a 13 mixed in with other numbers. This clarinet is still working just great. Last year I decided to buy a new R-13 and after six months I sold it to someone. The reason was that it felt heavier and bigger than my other Buffet. I am going to stick with my oldie but goodie until it falls apart. But at the convention coming up, I plan to look at other brands and try them out. Don't know if this is of any help to you, but it is just my personal observation. Good luck!
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-02-12 21:36
There's been a bit of talk about Buffets "playing better w/ others" than other clarinets . . . As long as you're not trying to play on something incredibly different (such as a metal clarinet or something) than everyone else, it really goes back to that statement we've heard so often: It's not the horn, it's the player. Now, different clarinets have different intonation problems, but just because everyone else in the section has the typical R-13 intonation problems doesn't mean they're right! Sure, if you have an R-13, you'll have the same intonation problems that everyone else does. Good for you. What's really important is that your section blends and that it plays in tune with the rest of the band.
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Author: Bazzer the Jazzer
Date: 2003-02-13 11:39
I have never tried an R-13, bur some clarinets have a fine reputation, when I was in my early days students where recommended to play Boosey & Hawks Regents(when they where made from wood) I had one for many years and it was a fine instrument, so a wide reputation in the field is a good indication of the quality.
Barrie
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Author: James
Date: 2003-02-13 18:03
Why the R-13? Becuase the R-13 tends to work the best for the majority of professionals, students, and amatures alike.
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Author: Classifan
Date: 2003-02-13 21:55
R-13 is nice, but how about the Buffet RC clarinet? It's popular in europe although rare in the US. I have tried Yamaha and Leblanc pro clarinets that sounded much better than any Buffets I have played, so I'm not completely sold that the R-13 is the best anywhere. Too many people are like zombies just going with what other people tell them. The leblanc espirit is a great clarinet I think at a relatively low price.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-14 12:18
My guess is that those of us 'amatures' that insist on adherence to prevailing dogma are, in fact, armatures of a marketing scheme.
In the 1930's, the same sort of notion applied to Selmer horns.
My community band has 12 clarinets included. The majority played are Buffet R13s. The conductor performed a pitch test the other night to find at least 8 variations on the selected pitch.
I tune just fine with the Buffet player next to me.
Like I said; take 3 steps back and try to prove it.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2003-02-14 21:10
In Europe and Japan (and provably in Canada), RCs are mainly sold by Buffet distributers. R-13 is a favorite of American players.
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2003-02-17 05:56
I have to say that I really have a very difficult time understanding the anti-Buffet vent at times on the BB. Many if not most of the major players in orchestras in this country play Buffet clarinets because they like them. Not because they are "sheep" or "zombies"....hahahaahaha.
These great players are sitting in these wonderful jobs through audition. So it seems that professional management and conductors like the Buffet clarinet also.
Add to this that many if not most of the University/College/Conservatory professors in N. America also like, perform on and recommend Buffet clarinets to their students.
Buffet makes a great clarinet. Buffet clarinets sound great and and I think that probably the most compelling reason professionals and top educators select them for their personal use is that it has a great "scale"...."intonation, intonation, intonation", as Hat would say.
There are other good clarinets....I've played on some. I just like the Buffet better. Call me a sheep if it makes you feel better....hahahahaha. And man, by the end of opera season, I do feel like a zombie. :-)
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Author: David Sapadin
Date: 2003-02-21 03:21
Hi all,
I used to play on Buffet but I switched to Leblanc.
I got tired of trying to adjust so much for the intonation
of the Buffet. I have found that I can play with others
and blend well with others even though they are playing
a buffet. I also like the selmer horns (recital and signature)
If I didnt love my horn so much I would probably buy a selmer.
It all depends on what you want to put up with. With Leblanc
there are like 4 or 5 notes that I am not happy with. But
I love the sound it gets. very smooth and I am the one
that puts the ring in the instrument and not the instrument for
me. Sometimes with Buffet you have to actually try to get
rid of the the thing that is the selling point of the
instrument. The Ring. And its sharpness and shrillness in the
upper register. Other than than...i love buffet lol
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