 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-02-24 05:08
At the moment there is a huge shortage of new Buffet Eb's in Australia, and I have the option of getting a collegue of my new teacher to select an R13 Eb for me in Chicago and my teacher trusts this person 100%. I am interested in doing this, but he says that I really should send it to the Brannens as well because apparently Buffet aren't undercutting the tone holes anymore or something, and he made out that the quality is rapidly on the decline. Is this true from other peoples perspectives?
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-24 13:28
I just purchased a couple of R-13s and they were very nice instruments. I saw no difference in them and some of the ones I bought a couple of months ago. Maybe there hasn't been enough time to tell what's going to happen with the quality of the product yet. The tone holes were undercut just as they normally are.
I don't know about Ebs.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-02-24 14:03
Hi Aussie Nick:
Just a quick story to help you decide on having a friend pick out a new Buffet Eb for you in the US
Many years ago, my friends Dave Shifrin was going to Washington to play Asst. 1st.& Eb with the orchestra. He didn't own an Eb at the time, so he asked his friend, Guy DePlus, to pick one out in Paris, and send it to the States.
Deplus did just that, but by the time the Eb arrived, Dave had decided not to take the Washington job. We were working together at the American Sym. here in NYC with Stokey, and he asked if I was interested in a new Eb. Mine was old, with bad pitch problems, so I jumped at the chance to get a new horn.
It arrived from Paris a few weeks later, beautifully packaged, with a note from DePlus. He had tried many Ebs and this one was the best.
With great anxiety, I opened the box, tried the new Eb, and fell in love.
I have played that untried little clarinet from far off Paris in at least 4 major orchestras, on countless recordings, and a dozen Broadway shows, and I still love it.
Buy the horn, if you trust the person, you may fall in love!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-24 15:16
There was some concern expressed about the continued quality of Buffet clarinets per the Boosey and Hawks buyout as I was auditioning new Buffet Prestige bass clarinets at Instrumental Musical Suppliers, DesPlaines, IL, last spring. I've not heard anything since, however, it may take some time for the "new" Buffets to hit the market. One never knows for certain what goes one behind closed corporate doors--except MS, perhaps.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2003-02-24 17:02
I bought an A clarinet from Buffet last year and it's as nice as the Bb I bought 10 years ago.
I really have not seen any differences in the quality of buffet instruments over the past 10-15 years. You just have to carefully select the horn you want.
But if you have money, the Brannens have certainly the reputation of turning a good instrument in an amazing one. Check your wallet and see what you can do!
-S
PS: J.J. Moses, I wish I could get my instrument picked by Guy Deplus. He is definitely a reference player in France and former teacher at the Paris Conservatory.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-02-24 21:34
I don't know about the tone hole issue but the teacher/colleague connection in Chicago willing to run up to Brannen's (a quick 15 minute drive north of the city) and pick out a horn for you sounds like an unbeatable deal! If it was me, living on the other side of the globe and eefer-less, a favor like that would be well worth a steak dinner with all the trimmings for the both of them .... what are you waiting for?
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-02-25 14:08
Nick,
You can email the Brannens (info@brannenwoodwinds.com) if you want to get the skinny on exactly what they do. Check their website first because it might have enough detail. I've had an Eefer, Bass, and four R13s done by them and had wonderful experiences in all cases. They polish the apple so that you can realize the full potential of the instrument. Yes, they pick up the slack where the factory may have missed something, but the magic is in everything else they do.
Also, as a side note Linda and Bill both told me last Fall that they are seeing some of the best instruments ever coming out of Buffet. They absolutely raved about the new Bass beasties.
Since it is very easy to spend other people's money, one strong vote for getting Brannenized!
Best of luck with your pending acquisition!
Mark.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-02-26 02:25
Wow- Guy Delpus- he is probably my favorite french player.
I have a recording of him playing Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie and he is just awesome.
On the actual topic- Buffets have had a serious decline in quality control since Boosey and Hawkes took over in the 70's i believe. I have test played many new R13s and let me just say that finding a good one is like finding a needle in a hay stack. I found the most uneven horns, and some pretty uniform, stable horns all stamped with the same R13 model number. Trust me, if you are buying a new Buffet ( or old for that matter) MAKE SURE the person is VERY trustworthy. Also, make sure to try out a couple before you decide which one, you can order from www.brassnwoodwind.com because they have some good test players and they should not let you down, because you have a trial period to return them( and you are right there in australia with them).
I hope I was of help to you......
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-26 19:54
I've just purchased a couple of R-13s and found them both quite nice. I'm certainly not afraid of the new ones.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-27 00:43
Just slightly off-topic here... But do the Brannens do their complete makeover service to older/'un-new' instruments? eg. My 3 year old r13 and 10 year old RC prestige A?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-02-27 02:51
Morrigan wrote:
> Would cost a LOT more than a buck Mark!!
Or a few. We call Japan pretty often . It's not all that expensive if you shop around (a buck will last me 4 minutes calling Tokyo), at least here.
Then there's email, faxes, and regular mail. But asking the "source" is always better than asking us when it comes to getting the cold, hard facts.
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Author: kenbear
Date: 2003-02-27 02:54
Morrigan,
You don't need to go offshore for a fantastic set-up. Tony Ward in Adelaide is a legend; I've misplaced his number - maybe your teacher knows of him.
k
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-02-27 04:30
Try Tony on this number: (08) 8327 0235
He did excellent work for Boosey and he did a great job of pinning my R13 too.
Dez
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2003-02-27 04:39
How much would having an overhaul done by the Brannens cost exactally ?
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2003-02-27 05:50
Just call the darn shop
http://www.brannenwoodwinds.com/
info@brannenwoodwinds.com
(847) 866-7576
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-27 06:37
Ken and Dezza
You're right! I forgot all about Tony Ward! My teacher has the number, yes. I called him last year regarding Eaton clarinets, being heavily involved in making the first few prototypes and all.
But there are things such as the 'acoustical balancing' and the Brannens own pads that win over what Mr Ward does. I'll ask my teacher more about him, he sends his clarinets there.
=] thanks guys
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-02-27 12:05
Morrigan,
The Brannens did a Buffet some time ago that I acquired from one of my teachers. It was already 20+ years old when it came into my posession.
Do email them. They are generally pretty prompt with their responses.
Mark
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-02-28 06:03
Bradley: I have tried brassnwoodwind. They only have 1 R13 Eb in stock, nickle plated. It's nothing to rave over. Like I said, for some reason the whole country is short of new Eb's
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-02-28 15:46
Ok- well I was just suggesting since I dont live in Australia but I know of BNWW.
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