 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-08-26 15:44
hi, after figuring out the subject of R-13 vs. prestige, i have more questions before i buy an A clarinet.
after suffering from cracks on all my clarinet (weather here is terrible for clarinets), iwas thinking about getting a buffet greenline clarinet.
does anyone know if the extra none wood material makes a difference? i'm affraid that it would make the sound bad or anything like that. also do you know if it really helps stopping cracks.
also i'd like to know what is the differece between R-13 and RC. i know there is something different in the bell but what difference should i see (or hear) when i play them?
about the elite model. what is the difference between this and the other 2 models? also, it is thinner so it's probably bad to get it because of the crack problem here right?
i might also try leblancs, but i have a very good experience with buffet.
thank you.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-08-26 16:06
Cracking??? I own thirteen Buffet, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha clarinets, live in the upper midwest where temps vary from -13F to +93F (today, and humid!!), and have never had any problem with cracking. I use my "main" clarinets out of doors as well as in and carry them from warm storage through near freezing conditions to play concerts, just like the "guys" in the CSO do walking up and down Michigan Ave in winter, and have never experianced any problem other than the usual seasonal changes in tuning. I do take care to swab my instruments as well as wipe the joint sockets to prevent absortion of moisture and "gunk" build-up, so maybe that helps. However, I really believe that clarinets are predisposed to cracking from the time of manufacture, and that we can do little--beyond routine TLC--to prevent that from happening. So, no cracks so far (40 yrs of playing)--guess I'm lucky, which is often better than being "good".
As for Greenlines, I've only played on Buffet Bb models, but I can tell you that I liked them very much. The A clarinet may be a different story, however.
RC versus R13?? I think that the difference is in the RC's customized tapering in the upper joint and barrel. Personally, I have never played an RC that I liked--they all sound "tubby" to me, but that is just my ears. You need to choose the sound and response that you like. If the climate is as severe in your neck of the woods as you say, perhaps Buffet's Greenline is the model for you--but you still must find "the one" that plays best (as they will all seem a bit different). Hope this helps, good luck.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-08-26 16:16
If it means anything at all (and perhaps it doesn't), you can find top name professionals (and some lesser names) playing every different Buffet model, in every conceivable performing venue.
The sound - The tuning - The sound - The tuning
Look for all of the above factors in your selection.
You can't live in fear of a clarinet cracking. As William said, if it is predisposed to crack, all the babying won't prevent the inevitable.
If you are unlucky enough to get a crack, the world does not come to an end, as most cracks can be repaired to the point of being almost invisible.
Of course, prudent measures to lessen the chance of cracking (as outlined above) are always wise.
I have 12 R-13's (all manufactured between 1967 and 1986), and never had a crack.
Out of superstition, I probably will not look for Buffet #13 ...GBK
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-08-26 17:54
"Cracking??? I own thirteen Buffet, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha clarinets, live in the upper midwest where temps vary from -13F to +93F (today, and humid!!), and have never had any problem with cracking."
tempeture changing is a factor but here it's the same and it's also VERY dry! that's what causing the cracks. the repairman who fixed my cracks said he never had this problem (because he lives in a very humid city) but he just came back from bulgaria and got a crack there. dry air will cause it more than tempeture, here we have both :-(
my question is, does the greenline really crack less than the other models?
and do you thikn the elite model (because it's thinner) can crack easily?
by the way, why don't i see famous players with elite, only with R-13 and RC?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-08-26 18:57
The Greenline clarinets will not crack as they are molded and machined from a composite wood/other material. I think they sound an iota different than the wood equivalents but they are certainly fine instruments.
Mr. Fobes wrote that it seemed to him that some persons cracked every clarinet they had and other persons never cracked a clarinet.
The late Mr. Neilsen who had a shop in Chicago still run by his nice wife wrote that he thought that a lot of cracks were caused by people blowing body temperature air into a cold instrument causing stresses due to differential temperatures from the bore to the outside of the clarinet. It was also noted that there seem to be more cracks in the top ends of the instruments than the bottom ends.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-08-27 00:18
There were some reports on this board about weak tenons on a Greenline that break easily. I'm not aware if Buffet fixed this problem or not yet.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-08-27 03:31
Bill Brannen told me a few years back that the first greenlines had the weak tenons, but that they had since corrected the problem. If I remember correctly, he also said that the greenline, because it is made of such hard material, can withstand a lot of acoustical balancing easier than a regular clarinet.
I have played many greenlines and I think they are ok. Like any clarinet , you have to sift through a lot of them. One of the best clarinets I ever played, including all models, was a greenline serviced by the Brannens. Omigod!! You just would not have belived it! Of course this may have been a spectacular clarinet anyway, with or without the Brannens.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-08-27 11:29
one last question if anyone knows. how do they add the fiber to the wood? i'm sure they don't break the wood and add the fiber with glue.
thanks.
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-08-27 13:08
Give it up - take the blindfold test and buy the one that you liked best.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-08-28 13:33
Tenons and sockets on clarinets are inherently weak areas and susceptible to mishandling by inexperienced or careless players. Some of the molded "plastic" horns have had problems such as the "Reso" types. Even a weak and potentially crackable tenon can survive proper handling.
Anyone who expects all Greenline clarinets to be unbreakable is being unrealistic.......just as those who expect all wood clarinets to be uncrackable. This is not meant as a condemnation of the product(s).
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