 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-09-04 13:12
A friend asked me about student instruments for his grand-daughter. He is not a musician, and trying to compare the Buffet B10 and B12.
I would appreciate some brief comments on the relative merits of these two instruments.
Thanks,
Ralph
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-09-04 14:18
Get a Yamaha.
Plastic buffets are getting cheap and shoddy, for example nickel plated reinforcing rings on the tenon sockets. These readily break. They perform no reinforcing fuction. They actually SACRIFiCE strength, in a vital area, for show and cheap manufacture.
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Author: lycfmtkl
Date: 2003-09-04 16:54
I have played both buffet b12 and b10. The b12 is a very good student instrument with good sound and tone. The b10 is a light version of the b12 and is a bit lighter in weight and it is constructed to suit the young player to reduce the strain on the right thumb. I find there is no obvious difference in tone color of the two models. But I felt that the key work of the b12 is much better than the b10.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-09-04 17:20
I shan't answer the question either.
The better clarinet is the one the teacher prefers (which might be the Yamaha, for all I know). Presumably the grand-daughter will be having lessons. Why not ask the teacher's opinion before buying anything? Otherwise you risk the teacher blaming problems on the "wrong" choice of instrument.
In the absence of any other advice, I suspect I'd buy the B12 in preference to the B10. It may cost a tiny bit more, but you'll probably get at least the difference back if you sell it again.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-09-04 19:08
"lycfmtkl" And David:
Thanks - this is good information.
Regards,
Ralph
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-04 20:06
Ralph...If I remember correctly (trying to envision my students' clarinets), the B10 has Valentino pads, while the B12 has the traditional fish skin pads ...GBK
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-04 20:16
Valentino pads - Love 'em or hate 'em.
I've never been a fan of them, as I find their seating tricky to get just right (and to remain that way). Many student clarinets installed with Valentino pads have not sealed well (probably because the pads were not installed with much care). I have also found that Valentino pads often have a tendency to stick to the tone holes. Another annoyance...
I prefer traditional fish skin or cork pads.
Perhaps some of the techs can be more specific on the pros and cons...GBK
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-09-04 20:41
GBK wrote:
> Perhaps some of the techs can be more specific on the pros and
> cons...GBK
I think we've had that discussion in the not-so-distant past 
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-09-05 02:24
The B12 may well be extra light. That is because it has less metal. It is the one with the shameful, shoddy, plastic reinforcing rings.
My servicing notes also say it has plastic linkages between low keys and levers. They break off easily.
Poor alignment of key cups over tone holes is common.
Poor choice of material for key corks etc.
Inherently fuzzy throat Bb, and also the B above.
Do not assume that because the name is Buffet this is a high quality student instrument.
Most teachers do not know about this sort of manufacturer cost cutting that comes back to bite the owner later.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-09-05 04:30
Well in my notes it says B12, but I am capable of mistakes.
Or it could be that only the newer ones are made in this way - of both models? I am not too familiar with the model names.
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Author: Rene
Date: 2003-09-05 06:04
The B12 is quite OK for the price (at least the one I bought 3 years ago). It does have plastic on it, but it does not fall apart as suggested here. I found it a very reliable instrument. However, make sure you service it. Even better, have it serviced right after you get it. I had to replace a pad (B/F) immediately, since it was swelling after longer playing and got untight.
I have only seen B10s (a lot of them in schools), not played them. They do not have the plastic tenon rings, so they may look better to some.
So in the end I cannot help you to compare both.
Post Edited (2003-09-05 06:06)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-09-05 11:22
Heya RalPHIE...
If your buddy is considering a new instrument for a young beginner, purchase is perhaps premature.
So many of the kids give up in the first three months.
Is the grandkid just starting out?
Springing for a rental (fixed term, not toward purchase) will be less money for a 'taste'.
I recommend rebuilt Vito/Bundy/Yamaha/Selmer plastic instruments for this purpose, as parts are readily available to recover from the upcoming first drop out of the case. (IT HAPPENS)
If the kid is insistent that the Buffet logo makes a student clarinet play better, then they've probably yet to blow a horn. The mouthpiece is probably more important for gear than the clarinet, and reeds are the real limiting factor.
*****
The B10 is an outgrowth of the B12 design in lighter weight ABS.
Accoustically they should be quite similar.
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