 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-06-29 23:23
I'm looking into possibly upgrading to a better clarinet. I play a buffet r-13 (there's nothing particularly wrong with the r-13, but I have the money now, so why not see if anything better is out there?) , but I'm curious about the other models they make. These are a few of the models I'm thinking of... Prestige, Prestige RC, Elite, and Vintage. I've read all the information on these models, and it's not really that helpful. As a "non-techie" (if that's the right word), information about bore design, wall-thickness, and tone-hole position doesn't tell me a whole lot... Anyone with any of these models, please let me know your experiences, and what advantages they have over a regular R-13. Also include problems you may have had that were corrected or helped with one of these instruments (or, I suppose, problems that you DIDN'T have that arose when you got one of the abovementioned instruments).
Don (theclarinetist@yahoo.com)
PS - I'm not wondering which one is THE BEST, because this is obviously a personal opinion and not a fact (not to mention that question has been asked a zillion times already), so spare me the "it's a matter of opinion" speech = ) I'm just looking for experiences to help me narrow my choices without trying every clarinet ever made. Thanks!
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2003-06-30 00:12
May I offer a suggestion: The Texas Bandmaster's Association Convention is held in San Antonio every July. It isn't very long until it begins on July 26. All the major instrument manufacturers will be very well presented. It may be worth the time spent to drive to San Antonio on that Saturday. It would cost you a bit of time, money spent for travel expenses and parking, plus a modest amount for a day visitor's fee. You could play all the Buffet models of which you write all at one time, one place. However, you could play for yourself every Yamaha, LeBlanc, Rossi, Patricola, Buffet, Selmer, as well as other brands all in one day. You could have it all for less than $100 and come away with a lot of knoweldge freely given by the company representatives.
In addition you may likely be able to speak with people such as Clarke Fobes, Tom Ridenour, Francois Kloc, and Dave Suber. Charles Bay may also be there. I'm not sure if the vendors are listed on the web site yet, but you could check it out. I'm going for a couple of days to do the same.
jbutler
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-06-30 00:19
John,
I'm considering going up there for the very same purpose. Do they sell horns there, and are there generally good deals to be found?
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-06-30 00:35
Really? That sounds cool. I've been to the TMEA convention twice, and I played a fair amount of clarinets (Leblanc and patricola mainly) but I never saw the whole buffet line (of course, I was actively looking for them either.. just browsing).. I'll see about checking it out.
Don
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2003-06-30 02:10
Ralph G,
One can not buy direct from the manufacturer, but there are usually companies, if asked, that will make a deal for you with them. Yes, there are usually some good deals but mostly on the last day of the show (Tuesday this year). They would rather sell them than pack them up for shipping again.
Don,
Yes, Buffet usually has a full line represented. They had a large display of clarinets at the Boosey & Hawkes (now Music Group) display last February. Mr. Kloc was performing repair work there while talking with music educators and students.
jbutler
Post Edited (2003-06-30 02:55)
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-06-30 13:11
Hope to see you there! Are you exhibiting and/or doing repair work?
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2003-06-30 23:59
There are also dealers at ClarinetFest like Muncy Winds that can and will sell to you at ClarinetFest.
Gary
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-01 00:19
I wonder if your money would be better spent in 'tweaking' the clarinet you have on hand?
A few hundred dollars at JButler's shop, visiting Guy Chadash or Jimmy Yan may make a more progressive difference, maybe?
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-07-01 04:18
I actually thought about that... I've heard alot about people called the "Brannens" that do really good work. I'm also considering looking into something like that. Any experiences with them (or people like them) and what it can do to an instrument?
Don
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-07-01 12:57
Do a search for "Brannen," "Brannenize" and "Brannenizing." There's enough high praise for them to make 'em blush. Also click on the "Service" link on the right side of this page.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-01 13:09
My teacher had Guy Chadash do her work (there's a lengthy wait).
All of the experienced techs mentioned have Sterling reputations.
They are likely to take a minimally invasive approach, and change only a few things on each visit.
It could take awhile.
Unless you have an instrument built for you, adjustments to reach the level of perfection you seek will be likely needed.
It IS a good clarinet, right?
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-07-01 20:05
My r-13 is pretty good. It's having a few problems right now (but nothing that couldn't be fixed...) I realize that "if something isn't broke, you shouldn't fix it (or in this case, replace it)". I was just curious about other "better" (and by better, I mean more expensive = ) buffet models. Also, I need to buy an A clarinet soon, and I don't want to "limit" myself to only trying r-13s simply because I have a Bb r-13. What if there is a PERFECT Concerto II (I just picked a model, I have no particular affinity for that instrument) out there and I never try it because I'm saddled to R-13s? I just want to keep my options open when shopping new instruments..
Thanks for all the advice so far
DOn
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-01 23:53
The main differences between prestige model R13/RC is that the tenons have metal caps and the left had pinky Eb key. These are standard on the Festival and Vintage too I believe. The advantages are that the tenons keep their shape better and are not as subject to the vagaries of weather as well as adding some durability and stopping cracks. Some would also say these metal additions like the bell ring also help to centre the sound, remembering that many Europeans prefer no bell ring because they perceive that it stifles the sound. German model clarinets don't have bell rings but Austrian models do, go figure. Another down side is an increase in weight of the instrument that doesn't always suit peoples hands. There are evidently some differences in keywork although looking at a dealers list it seems that silver plated keys or nickel plated are options available on all different models. I have seen no evidence of wall thicknesses and bore size differing between standard and prestige models of the same type.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-07-03 12:01
i have bot ha r13 and a prestige r13 and the prestige has a much better sound. not that the r13 is bad, it is very good too.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-03 15:23
I've heard such fantastic stuff about selmers also. My teacher plays on a selmber Bb...he loves them...also Ricardo Morales. Certain notes that are problems on the R-13's are not problems on the selmers. I'm sure selmers have their own problems, but I've heard they're really fantastic instruments. Maybe you should look into them too. I'm going to.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-07-03 15:55
Gretchen said:
>...plays on a selmber Bb...he loves them...also Ricardo Morales...
For the time being ...GBK
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-07-06 06:50
i've played on a selmer too. the mechanism is just as good as buffet if not better (it felt strange just because i am used to buffet) but the sound of buffet is so much better! no comparison!
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