 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-03-28 20:40
Buffet has announced its brand new professional model called Tosca. We have the Musicora show in Paris these days, and it was supposed to be exhibited by WW&BW. I went to the exhibition yesterday, but only literature and tariffs were available, the diva was yet to be seen!
has anyone heard of this new model in the US or maybe at the recent Frankfurt show?
I'll try and go back to the exhibition on Monday to see if I can get my hands on the beauty. If I can do it, I'll come back here for a report.
Cheers,
Stéphane
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Author: kenbear
Date: 2003-03-28 22:32
A bit of hearsay... I was talking to someone yesterday who has a colleague who saw ( but didn't play) the instrument at the Frankfurt show. The Tosca has some extra keywork, including a low F vent mechanism (bravo!). Apparently she won't be available until late this year.
Stephane, hope you can get your mitts on one.
K
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2003-03-28 23:37
Stephane - Is the Tosca replacing an exisiting model or is another addition to the Buffet line-up ??
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Author: Peter Spriggs
Date: 2003-03-29 01:57
The Tosca is a new model of which Buffet have only made one so far. It was at NAMM. I likely won't be available for purchase until much later this year.
Peter
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Author: Keil
Date: 2003-03-29 02:06
are there any pictures anywhere of the new instrument?
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-03-29 04:27
Is this model for opera playing only? The name sounds awfully snooty and Italian...So are French clarinets being called Freedom Clarinets these days?
;)
Jean
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-03-29 05:06
Lol- much like the Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast on Air Force One... I dont think they will "change" the name though, because unlike the other two, french clarinets are actually french. I think if they wanted the boycott to affect clarinets, they would just put a ban on importing french made clarinets......
Bradley
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-03-29 10:26
Guys,
Let us stick to the subject.
As far as I could read about it, the Tosca (named after the famous Puccini's opera) would seat in between the Prestige and the Elite. It has indeed a correction key for the low F and the keywork's ergonomy has been worked on.
I have a pic from a brochure I'll try to scan and post later. More to come...
Stéphane.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-03-30 06:13
I'd definitely be interested in finding out more on this model. I am looking at buying a new pair of clarinets, and am so close to chosing LeBlanc... But maybe this new model will interest me. If anyone has any information, post here, I'm sure everyone would want to know!!
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Author: Peter Spriggs
Date: 2003-03-30 15:35
New Buffet Crampon Tosca clarinet
Tosca clarinet in A and Bb
As special highlight, Buffet Crampon presents the new professional clarinet made from grenadilla wood or Green Line. It is available as A and Bb clarinet. The Tosca clarinet has excellent sound qualities and a perfect intonation. It is tuned at 440/ 442 Hz and comes with two barrels.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-03-30 16:37
Morrigan- LeBlanc is the way to go! hehe
Maybe I will check this model out too- I was ordering a Concerto II and then eventually a mate for it, but I'll see about this one, just to make sure I dont make the wrong choice.....
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Author: larryb
Date: 2003-03-31 17:05
someone wrote:
"The name sounds awfully snooty and Italian"
Well, the name is in fact Italian; as for snooty, i don't know...
"Tosca" actually connotes a quality of passionate lack of control - not sure that's what I'm looking for in a clarinet, although I often feel like throwing myself to my death off the parapet when I can't find a good reed
Since this new clarinet isn't available yet, maybe we can help with a better name before (if) it comes onto the market.
I'd vote for the "Fidelio" - loyal, heroic, gender neutral/vague, good solid german tone quality
Or else, the "Faust" - gotta sell your soul to afford one of thes
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-04 11:27
Just to bring a post back to life...
...Any unfolding info? Any guesses or informed guesses as to price?
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-04 12:35
Another model to Buffets already too long list of top line clarinets....
Quality control is always a concern when you spread yourself thin over a bunch of models/designs....
no wonder Buffet is having economic woes...i
David Dow
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-04 17:15
Yeh, announce a new model horn so they don't talk about the organizational problems. In the meantime,hopefully, the workers continue to turn out acceptable horns and hope for an owner who is interested in improving things. [ deleted. Mark C. ]
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-06-04 17:23
[ deleted. You both may think your comments trivial and not exciting at all, but history on this BBoard has proven otherwise. Politics, even in jest, do not belong here. ]
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-06-04 19:05
This is old news. Also vaporware until produced and available for sale. I wouldn't delay a purchase waiting on this clarinet. Very few will be able to afford it and even more won't like it. Prove to me that this clarinet is worth the money.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-06-04 22:21
Does tosca bounce when she jumps off an embattlement??
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Author: Bob Schwab
Date: 2003-06-05 03:12
Larryb. [ Dammit children. If you think I'm going to have to edit it out, then PLEASE don't put it up. There are readers of the BBoard whose ages are in the single digits. Mark C. ]
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Author: Bob Schwab
Date: 2003-06-05 13:17
Sorry Mark (dad), what was I thinking?
David Dow, your remark reminded me of a quote I came across by Charles De Gaulle: "How can you be expected to govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?" Maybe the same goes for clarinet manufacturers.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-06-05 18:57
I like cheese.
I too, have heard of the Tosca about 3 months ago when my teacher mentioned it.
--Contragirl (in the US)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-05 23:10
Thanks for the pics!
But what does that extra RH little finger key actually do?
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-06-06 07:29
W00t! (for all you haxxorz out there)
That is quite interesting!!
"I find your ideas intriguing and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter."-Homer Simpson
Thanks for pictures You are now our spy for all that is clarinet!
--Contragirl
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-06 14:42
<perfectly crafted bore design> Yikes lay on the hyperbole!!
this is what the brochure says. pretty romantic hype over something that could be a piece of crap....
pretty hard to refrain from sarcasm, but I also found that the Leblanc people have too many models to pick from as well....
David Dow
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-06 15:06
This is great. Another clarinet for those who suffer from gear acquisition syndrome. When I see this new "Tosca" clarinet a few things come to mind.
1) The keys are sculpted. Perhaps this is to counter act what Leblanc has done with it's Millennium Opus, Opus II and Concerto II.
2) Buffet has recently changed management. This is a great stunt to boost sales. I will bet this clarinet will sell for over three thousand dollars.
3) It is also a brand new model clarinet so I doubt that it would have the same stability of the R-13 or any of the other models from both with many many years of adjustments and changes to further make them better. Perhaps just like with the Buffet prestige basses you could see a Tosca - 1, Tosca - 2, Tosca - X and so fourth.
4) The key work on this clarinet is new and different. Could you imagine how expensive it could be to have this clarinet worked on? It's different mechanism, new mechanism. I wonder if the Brannen's would even consider working on a clarinet like this. If so I bet there would be at least two hundred dollars added on to the cost of the overhaul.
Don't get me wrong. I think buffet clarinets are the greatest clarinets out there. I wouldn't play on anything else BUT I really doubt this is really going to be any type of revelation out of buffet. I have yet to ever see a clarinet with all of the following qualities: perfect intonation, smooth legato, beautiful tone, flawless key work
Furthermore. Even as buffet pumps out these new clarinets with new bells and whistles. At least for American professional clarinetists who play buffet. The standard R-13 has been the instrument of choice. BUT of course there are always exceptions.
- James
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-06 15:23
cyso_clarinetist wrote:
>
> Don't get me wrong. I think buffet clarinets are the greatest
> clarinets out there. I wouldn't play on anything else
This year ...
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-06 15:37
I always preferred the Festival clarinets as of late. I have an A festival that is quite nice. Far better scale than the recent R13 A's I have tried as of late(last 5 years).
David Dow
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-06-06 15:38
CNB4Now,
At the last Musicora show in Paris last March, Woodwind&Brasswind were presenting it. I was unfortunate enough (maybe not?) to miss it, but I got the brochure from them. It won't be available in France until fall (don't know about elsewhere) but you can test try it at Buffet French premises on demand.
Stéphane.
After you've heard a work by Mozart, the silence that follows, this is still by Mozart.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-06-06 19:30
The model is priced over 4.000 euros in the last buffet catalog price-list. It is cheaper than the Elite model but more expensive than all others.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-07 08:16
cyso_clarinetist: You're mostly right. Oh, but when you mention "perfect intonation, smooth legato, beautiful tone, flawless key work", are you referring to LeBlanc? LOL joking!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-06-07 19:34
cyso_clarinetist wrote:
"I have yet to ever see a clarinet with all of the following qualities: perfect intonation, smooth legato, beautiful tone, flawless key work"
I've never thought a clarinet itself could possess those qualities...I always thought the player was more the possessor of them.
Katrina
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Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-06-07 22:55
James brings up a great point with all this new mechanism stuff going on. It could be a problem. However, Scenario One:What if all of the other big clarinet brands start following this trend to compete with Buffet and Leblanc. Then custom repair people have no choice but to work on instruments such as these otherwise, face bankrupcy. Scenario Two: The mechanisms were probably helped designed by repair people just like the brannens and hopefully for Buffet's sake, will improve any of the flaws that they saw in their current models. But like everything else in this world, nothing is perfect and we'll just have to see how things turn out. Can anyone explain the "correction key"?
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
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Author: kenbear
Date: 2003-06-07 23:57
"correction key" is that extra right hand pinky key.
It operates the same mechanism as the regular low F fingering, while opening a vent which raises the pitch of that infamously flat (on buffets, at least) note.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2003-06-08 19:07
I am just super excited about this.
We have yet another instrument to try and it looks like Buffet has incorporated a number of new features in this model.
It look slike they actually addressed the problems people have been reporting with the horns.
A low F which sounds flat, a stuffy C#/G# and unfriendly (to some) keywork.
I don't know about the new bore design, but we will see.
I am also very excited about the fact that they are offering these in Greenline. I just love the concept.
It's not everyday that a new model appears on the market and we should all be excited about this...
A buffet fan and a clarinet maniac,
-Sylvain
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-06-09 12:24
......and I will be excited when a Porsche costs the same as a VW
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-09 13:55
I will be excited when reeds costs as much as a pack of gum!
David Dow
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2003-06-09 14:33
I am excited I don't have to buy a violin...
Clarinets are cheap!
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-09 16:30
D Dow wrote:
> I will be excited when reeds costs as much as a pack of gum!
Ouch! A $15 pack of gum!
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-06-09 16:38
Ed- just wait till next year since VW is bringing out the Phaethon around this time next year or so I heard. It's a W12 ultimate luxury sedan to really compete with Merc. and BMW. Let's also not forget the Toureg which is the luxury SUV they want to compete with the new Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 ( Merc. SUV is below those other 3 in standards and price ). Both models will run for a starting price of around $45,000, which is in the same range as the Porsche Cayenne and the Porsche Boxster. I hope when they come out you truly are excited.
Bradley
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Author: Stéphane
Date: 2003-06-09 16:47
I heard the Tosca had powered window and mirrors, central A/C, leather interior and boxwood inserts. And to top it up, if you are a friend of mother nature, it is available as a convertible, man this is exciting...
Stéphane.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-06-10 16:49
Well, first you need to buy a Buffet-to-USB adapter, then it will recognize that there is a new device. However, the drivers do not come standard w/ Win XP, so you have to make sure that they either came on a CD with the adapter you bought, or seach the net endlessly for the proper drivers . . . Unfortunately, most of the current drivers were originally designed to support older Buffets, and the adaptations made for the newer model are still a little buggy. Also, many users have noted crashes when trying to replace a reed with the device still plugged in.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2003-07-03 00:56
so they've vented the low "F" but have they improved throat Bb? and from the pictures it loox like there is a low "Eb" key... or is that the vented F?
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Author: Mr.Clarinetboy
Date: 2003-07-03 01:20
But if you have a Mac it will recognize the Tosca emmediately. No stinkin' drivers needed. And your Tosca won't crash (jump).
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