 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Rikki
Date: 2000-02-09 14:22
I have played the clarinet through high school and then quit until about 5 years ago when I joined the worship team band at church and picked it up again. Using a plastic Vito. I have been in Community Band for 2 yrs now and want to upgrade to a better tone and wonder if I should go with an intermediate Selmer or Buffet. I don't have a lot of extra time for practicing. Yes, I play in the third-clarinet section, but we have a ball and even though we are kidded about being low achievers, we do want to improve (we just have a lot of fun at it). Anybody out there have some advice for me? Thanks. Rikki
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-09 14:36
The best thing is to try them out for yourself. However, I would recommend that you also include Leblanc and Yamaha intermediates in your trials. Each of these four is different and what suits you may differ from what suits someone else.
I recommend that you get a good mouthpiece first. Trying the various clarinets out with the mouthpieces that come with them may unfairly bias the results. Knowledgeable people on this board have indicated that the mouthpieces that come with Buffets are very poor even on their pro instruments. For Leblanc instruments, the mouthpieces on the intermediate and beginner instruments are poor. Selmer's Bundy mouthpiece is also poor although other Selmer mouthpieces are fairly good. Yamaha is reputed to come with a decent mouthpiece.
Also the third clarinet parts are important too. Melody without harmony can get just a little boring. All top notes with no bottom notes can sound thin and harsh. Just like a bridge, a band needs a firm foundation and that includes the third clarinets. So keep having fun. That's what it's all about.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mike
Date: 2000-02-09 14:43
You can get a used Buffet R-13 for around $1000 (give or take). I don't know what used Selmer Series 10's run. You can opt for a more vintage Selmer Series 9, Balanced Tone (BT) or Centered Tone (CT) for around 550 or 650 and still get a good sounding/playing instrument.
I played all of the above while I was shopping. I liked the tone of the Series 9 better than the Series 10. I liked the tone and fingering of the Buffet better than the Selmers. I should note that I played several Buffets and each sounded differently. I payed about 850 then 400 for an overhaul.
I originally had a Stuebens Model Noblet that I got for 150. With a decent mouthpiece, it sounded ok. (At least, at the time, most of the tone problems were "north of the mouthpiece".)
After all of the above, I'd say "Spring for the R13."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 2000-02-09 15:23
I'll put in a third opinion on good intermediate horns. I personally had a Yamaha YCL-52 a few years back. This particular horn did not have undercut tone holes, but I believe that today's models of the same horn do have them. Anyway, the workmanship, especially the keywork on this horn, was very much first quality and then some. This was a genuine intermediate grade horn. It was very forgiving of sloppy fingerings, less than adequate air support, less than decent embouchure, etc. It was a real joy to play and very easy to play. Because it was an intermediate, the tone was a bit bland, but intonation (tuning) was right smack dab in the center of the meter (give or take a little for my lack of expertise, of course). With a good Vandoren B45 mp and a standard metal lig, this horn was very close in performance and price with any other of the top 4 brands of equivalent clarinet (Buffet, LeBlanc, Selmer, Yamaha). I personally checked it out with a Buffet E-11 and found the Yamaha had a little a bland tone, but it was easier to play and it was a little less expensive. The bland tone, the ease of playing, and the lower price were all directly related to the straight cut tone holes versus the Buffet E-11s undercut tone holes. At the time, the horns went for a price of about $800 to $900 (brand new, US full retail). I get the WW and BW catalog mailed to me on a regular basis. The last few catalogs listed the Yamaha YCL-52 with undercut tone holes at a suggested retail price of about $900.
As mentioned in a posting above, a good used Buffet R-13 might be had for this same price. Here is a trick a college student used to fetch a premium early 1960s era R-13. She took private lessons from a master professional from a large city. The pro saw that she had great potential, so he networked with his peers to see if he could find a very good professionally selected used R-13 for her. She got what I consider one of Buffet's very best horns that had been used as a backup horn by a pro for decades. This horn was regulated (tweaked) to the max and it sounded like it. Never mind the worn looks on the horn, the college clarinet performance major could make that horn sound fantastic. So, if you have friends in the business, see what they can do for you. If you don't have connections, take the time to thoroughly research horns and test play each and every one of them yourself. It's a tedious project, but well worth it in the long run.
Lastly, I too am a second or third chair player as an adult novice. I have a premium pro grade Buffet Festival that can produce an exquisite tone and dead-on intonation, especially with a custom made pro grade mp. The church director loves to place me in second and third parts because I'm often the only person between the quiet bassoon and tuba providing the mid range harmony to the loud flute and violin's melody line. Even though I play an easy part, I'm often the "anchor" for the entire small ensemble. I keep a steady count and I consistently play in tune with a good tone. I also balance out the thumping of the very low parts with the shrillness of the very high parts.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Drew
Date: 2000-02-09 15:55
Thought I'd put my $0.02 worth in on this topic.
Select an instrument on how it works for you, don't buy a brand. In order to know how an instument will work for you, you have to play it. Try many instuments. The best known brands are Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc, Yamaha. Try to stay with one of these manufacturers.
Consider used insturments as well as new ones; both have pros and cons. New instruments are more expensive, but you have a new pads, keywork/regulation, wood body, etc., so no maintenance for a couple of years. Used instruments will be less expensive, or you can buy more instrument for the same amount of money. Depending on the instrument, you may be looking at an overhaul, pad replacement, etc. (not cheap).
Much of you decision will revolve around your budget. If you have $1000 or so, a used professional instrument and an overhaul is achievable. A $500 budget probably means a used intermediate instrument with overhaul and a few extras, or a new intermediate instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jim
Date: 2000-02-09 21:07
I would go with the intermediate buffet. But for people teasing you about being a low acheiver, who cares? Just keep practicing!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: George
Date: 2000-02-09 22:20
Rikki,
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I joined a community band after getting an "itch" to play again. I had at that time, a plastic Evette that wasn't making the grade. It really needed an overhaul. What I decided to do was to buy a Selmer CL210, an intermediate grade instrument. I took the advice of many people to try other brands out. For me, the Selmer CL210 sounded "right". I got a better tone out of it than the Buffet E-11. Buying a new intermediate is one option.
Another option is to look at used "pro" instruments. Many stores will sell these. One store offered me a Selmer 10G for 900 dollars. But I was set on a budget, so I declined.
Ebay is a good place to look for value. But be prepared to set some funds aside for overhauling a used instrument. It is almost inevitable that there needs to be some work done here and there.
The last option is the sure thing: buy a pro grade horn, if money is not an issue.
For me, I went with option 1 for two years. Even with a professional mouthpiece, the Selmer Cl210 just wasn't doing it for me anymore. So, I went with option 2, and got a LeBlanc Concerto for a good price at Ebay. The owner offered a money back policy, and it plays great.
As for third parts, I agree with Dee. I play third as well, and those parts help round out the section. Some of those parts are even more difficlt to play. (i.e crossing the break.)
It seems like you are having fun. That is the key to the whole thing.
Good luck!
George Lin
Kings Park Concert Band
Burke, VA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
