 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: szyJYM
Date: 2005-06-11 18:15
When you get right down to it, would you go for a Selmer or a Buffet if you're looking for a good investment? I've got to buy my own for college next year and, new or used, I'd like to know your opinions. I've been using a nice Buffet of my teacher's for about 2 years, but Selmer has intrigued me lately. Any advice?
--Mike
Wide-eyed music student entering college this fall
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-06-11 18:25
Whichever you play better on/ feel comfortable playing.
You will have as many opinions as the number of people that are on the board. Maybe you'll play an Amati better then a Selmer or a Buffet. Personally I play a Buffet but that was mostly a monitary thing (used and a good deal)
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-06-11 18:48
Try both and also Leblanc and Yamaha. Try everything and keep an open mind. Look for good tone, intonation, key placement, wood quality, price, etc. Also, research research research. Go to www.wwbw.com and check out the specs and reviews of every model and maybe even write a list of specs on each as a reference guide. Find the ones that will fit in your price range and that have the qualities that you are looking for. If you don't need an Eb lever, don't get one, etc.
Try them all out!!!!!!!! Also, check the BBoard search engine on each of the models that you are curious in. I'm currently ready to buy a new clarinet and have been researching galore. WWBW and the BBoard search engine are the most helpful to me. Also, go to the manufactures site and check out more in depth specs on the certain models that intrigue you-often they are very detailed and may even show pictures of the cases, etc.
Good luck with getting a new clarinet and with college!!!!!!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-11 19:04
Buffet is the only good "investment".
But it may not be the best instrument for you. So don't think of it as an investment, think of it as a tool and go from there.
But I'll say again that Buffet is the only Clarinet brand in the US which would be considered an investment as that is the brand which most players seek after.
Not that it is the best out there either.
Just my opinion, but I hear a lot "I want that Buffet", not "I want that Selmer" or Yamaha......
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-06-11 19:11
I agree with David. Buffets are often sought after (even if they aren't the best). They have good resale value it seems like. Honestly, and this is just me, I've actually been looking at the Leblanc Concerto II and the Yamaha CSG's and Custom line. I'll be going to OU next Wednesday and will be trying out everything and I'll just buy whatever is best for me. I don't care if it's a Buffet, Leblanc, Yamaha, Selmer, etc. Brands don't matter to me. I just want the best clarinet for me and that is what I personally see as a good investment. I'll try to compare the Selmers to the Buffets for you though!!!
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2005-06-11 19:32
Perhaps too you should ask your college teacher. He/she might be able to steer you in a good direction.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-06-11 22:41
While I've had my Buffet for 42 years(!), I don't think of it as an investment. Its a tool, a friend, a resource.
I paid about $500 for it in '61, and its cousins sell now for $850-1300 or so. Of course, those '60's $$$ were a lot bigger than today's.
Bob Phillips
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-06-11 23:44
szyJYM,
Since you are apparently satisfied with your teacher's instrument, why don't you ask her/him to sell it to you?
You have had two years to test it and you are unlikely to have a similar opportunity again.
Regards,
Hans
Post Edited (2005-06-11 23:45)
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2005-06-12 09:40
I agree with Hans, if you've been using your teachers Buffet that you really like, I'd look into purchasing it from them. You've already learned how to play it, so if you can, I'd buy it.
Christopher Nichols
1st Infantry Division Band
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-06-12 22:40
If you know where you are going to college and you plan to study clarinet (as opposed to play in the marching band, e.g.), contact the teacher you will study with and get his/her opinion. Some are quite opinionated/inflexible. Others are more open-minded. Your future teacher may even recommend waiting so that s/he can help you with your selection. (And for goodness' sake, whatever you do, don't spray your teacher's clarinet with Lysol to clean/disinfect it before you give it back!)
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-12 22:51
You are really lucky that your teacher let you put 2 years of wear on the Clarinet.
That is fairly substantial! Keywork does wear out over time.
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Author: earlthomas
Date: 2005-06-13 02:05
I have just heard that Selmer is buying Buffet. I hope this is unfounded "hearsay".
Does anyone know if this is true?
Also, has the name of the new principal for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra been published?
Thanks for any and all input!
Gratefully,
E.Thomas
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2005-06-13 08:49
>>I have just heard that Selmer is buying Buffet. I hope this is unfounded "hearsay".
Why?
In the 80s it was bought by Boosey & Hawkes. It's now part of The Music Group:
http://www.musicgroup.com/brands.asp?lang=eng
So, I wonder who is taking over whom?
Steve
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-13 14:00
There has been a big change recently and the "music group" has changed what they bought and held onto.
Grand Concert (Rico basically) Reeds have been bought by D'Addario and I'm not one bit happy about that.
They already ruined (to me they did at least) the Rico Reed/Artist
http://www.ricoreeds.com
I think it looks like crap compared to the former site.
http://www.y-m-t.co.jp/rico/art/clarinet_1.html is what it used to look like for the artists - compare it to it's current shell. (that link just is what the artist part of the site used to look like) Now they don't even include any bios!!!
Post Edited (2005-06-13 14:01)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-06-13 16:23
You'll always be able to get a good resale value in a Buffet R-13. It's also a universally known professional instrument that "plays well with others." So, if you want a great instrument, but might end up selling it later on--get the Buffet R-13.
I've been playing a lot of Yamahas lately and have been very impressed with their professional/semi pro models. Good workmanship and great tone. They've come a long way. However, their resale value isn't quite what the R-13 is. A student might have a financial "crunch" at some point in their studies--so you might need an instrument you could get your money back on should you "change your mind" about your life's path. My sons both changed their minds dozens of times during their college careers. Come to think of it, they're still doing that.
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2005-06-13 16:49
Purchase the instrument that upon recorded playback has the best tone to your ear.
When considering a new instrument purchase I recommend during the play test record a sample of each instrument back to back playing the exact same passage., using the same mouthpiece and reed. Choice a short passage that you think you sound the best playing.
Play back the tape, the best instrument will easily stand out to your ears. The tape does not lie.
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Author: szyJYM
Date: 2005-06-13 19:10
"Since you are apparently satisfied with your teacher's instrument, why don't you ask her/him to sell it to you?
You have had two years to test it and you are unlikely to have a similar opportunity again."
I do like her clarinet, and I did think about buying it off, but a few months ago I tried a freshman's rather nice Selmer, and it blew me away compared to the Buffet. Also, my teacher's was the first reasonably good clarinet I've had the pleasure of playing; prior to that I used a really gross, plastic Vito. So, yeah, it's a good one, but I think I like it mostly compared to the other ones I've tried.
"You are really lucky that your teacher let you put 2 years of wear on the Clarinet.
That is fairly substantial! Keywork does wear out over time."
Don't I know it! And I can really tell what I've done to it over the years! I'm thinking of completely redoing it before I give it back, just out of appreciation for how much she's helped me out.
"Purchase the instrument that upon recorded playback has the best tone to your ear."
That's a good idea. Wow, I didn't realize this would be such a process. It'll be worth it, if I get a really nice clarinet. I've already been thinking of talking with my future professor, once i find out who exactly it'll be. I've heard students often try to sell their instruments through their professors.
Thanks for all the tips, guys!
--Mike
Wide-eyed music student entering college this fall
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-06-14 14:55
Talking with your future professor is an excellent idea because he/she might have a real bias toward a particular brand of instrument. I have found that to be true. Then, if you walk in with his/her hated brand, you'll always hear complaints about your tone, etc. because he/she doesn't like it. Just go with what they recommend and you can get something else later on in life when you have money. Provided of course you don't end up working at a music store like my son and never have money.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-06-15 06:32
As a recent college graduate, considering what the rest of the students play (as well as the teacher) should be considered. Everyone at my school played Buffets and the two ppl I knew that played Selmers had very hard times trying to tune with other clarinets (and this was in orchestra!) The same went for bass clarinets, in my personal experience. I couldn't get a Buffet to tune together with a Selmer on certain notes, but when I got my Selmer bass back, I tuned with the other Selmer perfectly.
I liked the Selmers as well when I played them, and I prefer Selmer basses. But I dont think I can make a complete switch over to Selmers because of the popularity of Buffets amongst the masses. Now we have the main clarinet teacher playing Yamahas... now I have no idea how that works out. (He's the NSO principal)
--CG
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