 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2004-09-09 10:36
I am thinking about Buffet-Festival, Leblanc-Opus II, and Yamaha-Ycl Custom.
I have had a festival for 8 years and I have loved every minute of it BUT I have heard/read that the new Buffets are not playing as well as they use to.
I have tried some Leblanc -Opus II lately and have not found a great one yet.
I have tried the Yamahas and honestly-they play incredible BUT I have heard that the metal that they use is not as good of quality. I would also like to get a clarinet with and Eb/Ab auxilary like the Festival.
I know that Yamaha has the Hamilton keys but I am afraid that I will tarnish the gold in the key work like I did on my Bay ligature.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
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Author: mystery science dieter
Date: 2004-09-09 13:45
>>>>I have had a festival for 8 years and I have loved every minute of it BUT I have heard/read that the new Buffets are not playing as well as they use to.<<<
People like to say and write stuff.
Fact: the vast majority of professional classical clarinet players play Buffet clarinets.
Now you will hear about how stupid and stubborn those professionals are for not 'noticing' all the problems of the Buffet clarinet (or for having the temerity to overcome them with their superior playing skills), the Buffet company AND, of course, the obvious superiority of whatever brand they themselves choose to play.
Here's a suggestion for those of you who usually write such things, take a Buffet clarinet to Ricardo Morales and pay him to play on it for a while. Until he hands it back, Buffet will be the best clarinet in the world. You'll know then where ALL the problems are coming from when you play on it.
Post Edited (2004-09-09 13:47)
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Author: sbbishop
Date: 2004-09-09 14:04
Brian,
Don't be put off by what people say and write.
Buying a clarinet is just like buying a car. You shop around, drive a few, and then buy what you like considering the features you get for the money you pay. You might even read some reviews and get other people's opinions on various models. Just like in cars, there is more then one brand of clarinets.
Happy hunting.
Stephen
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-09-09 14:38
I agree with Stephen. If you can get to a large music store where there are several models of professional instruments, go there and play them. If not, perhaps you can order a couple of each of the clarinets you're interested in and find out for yourself which you prefer.
If you're playing in a school or community band, the brand isn't going to make much difference. But, if you're going to be in an orchestra, you might want to think about the Buffet line because it seems to be easier to match the other players with Buffet. I've owned Buffet R-13 Festivals and Prestige and Leblanc Opus. I loved the Opus, but it was more difficult to get a good match with my partner in an international orchestra in which I played for a few years. My Buffet Prestige was wonderful--you might try one of those. I had a similar time with the Festival as with the Opus--although many of my friends say they love their Festivals. I do enjoy the extra key.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-09-09 14:40
BKmorton:
I'm not sure where you have heard about the Yamaha keywork. I have owned my SE-V now for 3 years and think that the clarinet is great. The keys definitely have different ergonomics than those of a Buffet etc, but my impressions of the quality of the keywork is that it is exceptional. From what I've read here, it would seem that you're more likely to have key plating issues with a Buffet than with a Yamaha.
I personally feel that my Yamaha is getting better with age!
MOO,
Matt
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-09 14:40
Did you actually try a new Festival? If you liked it so much I think you should just get another Festival. TRy the Yamahas too maybe you will like them better (I haven't tried any Yamahas so I can't help with that).
All those RUMORS are not based on any facts.
Good luck.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-09-09 14:58
Just try all the brands.....and listen to the clarinet, feel the clarinet ....
The one that sounds best and feels great, is the one!
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2004-09-09 14:59
Here are my 2 cents:
Get enough horns to try in one setting,
Bring your teacher or anybody with a good ear with you.
Bring a tuner.
Take 2 clarinets, check for intonation (especially the 12th low F-middle C, then thumb F to high C, and a couple scalse and arpeggios). Play something slow with wide intervals to check the flexibility of the instrument, play something fast to check the action of the keys.
Discard the instrument that you and your good friend like the least and never look at it again.
Pick a new horn and do the same A/B testing.
Don't compare more than 2 instruments at a time, it gets confusing very very fast.
Now generally accepted rumors:
Buffet horns haven't been quite the same in the past couple years.
Leblanc key work gets out of adjustment a bit faster than Buffets
Selmer (esp. signature) are quite resistant but if you can blow through them, they sound amazing.
Yamaha are just like Buffet with better quality control, yet somehow fewer people play them. Is something missing in their sound or is it just cultural influence?
Best of luck!
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: mystery science dieter
Date: 2004-09-09 18:22
>>>Now generally accepted rumors:
Buffet horns haven't been quite the same in the past couple years.
Leblanc key work gets out of adjustment a bit faster than Buffets
Selmer (esp. signature) are quite resistant but if you can blow through them, they sound amazing.
Yamaha are just like Buffet with better quality control, yet somehow fewer people play them. Is something missing in their sound or is it just cultural influence?<<<
See what I mean?
What is a 'generally accepted rumor?'
Post Edited (2004-09-09 18:24)
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-09-09 18:31
Why are you thinking about a new clarinet? You have a Festival that you are happy with and it is only 8 years old. That instrument should be good for decades yet if properly maintained.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2004-09-09 20:29
mystery science dieter wrote:
>>What is a 'generally accepted rumor?'<<
Things that keep popping up on this board, things I hear from people I know and trust playing and repairing these instruments. They are not facts just things I hear.
As many people have said on this board many times, you should shop around and not stick to one brand just because. Trust your ear.
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: LeOpus1190s
Date: 2004-09-10 01:39
Selmer Signatures are amazing. Don't exclude those in your selection of horns you try out.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-09-10 04:10
I'm with Dee here. What's wrong with an 8-year old clarinet?
My R13 is only a year younger than I am...it's from 1969 and I love it and have loved it since 1983 when I got it used...Maybe it's just my familiarity with the horn, and the fact that changes are so subtle that it's hard to notice on a day-by-day basis...
Katrina
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-09-10 06:22
You can always let them change te keywork and keep the body of your old festival...... but then again, maybe you just want something new
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-10 08:00
bkmorton wrote: "I have had a festival for 8 years"
I might have misunderstood but I thought he 'had' it which means he doesn't have it anymore.
Anyway, I can only agree with whoever asid you should try as many as possible. I'd say try at least 15 clarinets, and if possible not less than 8 or so from each brand (although the stores might not have that many).
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-09-10 08:42
Clarnibass wrote: "I might have misunderstood but I thought he 'had' it which means he doesn't have it anymore."
Maybe you're right...just wanted the mention the possibility, people do forget that one often..... But if he sold or lost the clarinet for what unfortunate reason, than I still stand by my previous post:
Just try all the brands.....and listen to the clarinet, feel the clarinet ....
The one that sounds best and feels great, is the one!
;)
Post Edited (2004-09-10 08:43)
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2004-09-10 10:45
Thank you all for your help.
I do still have my Festival. I really would like a new clarinet because this one has had 2 cracks in it, keywork is not as nice as the new clarinets, I continue to have it repaired but it is a "needy" clarinet, and I just want to get a new one.
I understand the process in buying a clarinet BUT I wanted to get your oppinions on the rumors I heard. I can try them out but I want to get a review on what owners of new Festivals, Leblancs, or Yamahas have. Kind of like consumer Reports for music.
I would not get a car if I heard that there is a consistant problem with something and I feel clarinets are the same way.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-09-10 11:46
I really think that you've to try them yourself and be open minded...but if you really want to know..
I begin with my personal favorite....:
Leblanc OpusII....I just love the sound and the keywork. I've selected mine out of 16 clarinets, in the factory, and am very happy with it I've to admit that they where not all so great....but that's with all the brands I believe. Still very happy with it, I bought it 14 weeks ago.....
I also tried some Buffet Festivals....Beautiful sound and projects more than the OpusII, but they really need to change they're keywork I think.....It was like switching from a Ferrari to a mercedes....
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-09-10 15:32
I bought and sold 2 Festivals about 2 years ago--can't remember exactly. I bought both of them after play-testing several at the local music store. They were both very good instruments. However, when put in situations that required serious orchestral work with another clarinetist, I felt they were a bit "bright" sounding. I ended up going back to a standard R-13.
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Author: DH818
Date: 2004-09-11 01:42
[ Deleted - Please read the rules regarding advertising - GBK ]
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