 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gazebo Dealer
Date: 2005-07-23 01:14
I saw a few threads on this "new" line from Buffet. But nothing that would answer my questions. As a few of you may know, Buffet has introduced this new Limite line of clarinets. I even ran into Francois Kloc discussing the line several times. Sadly, each time I didn't get interested. The only visible differences in these clarinets are the logo which reads, "Limite", and that the serial numbers begin with K. I am in the market to purchase a new A-clarinet. I have been doing research around with different suppliers, i.e. Brook Mays, IMS, Weiner, and Muncy. I could care less what my clarinet says, which is the reason why I gave the Limite a toot.
I've been playing on a borrowed R13 in A for a little over a year now. It's a decent horn. I borrowed it before anyone else had been playing it. And I've been satisfied with how it's opened up. Finally, my parents have given in to the fact that I need my own A clarinet. So I've been looking around. The first new clarinet I tried was a Limite. It seemed extremely free-blowing, to the point where I didn't want a clarinet with that little resistance. But as we know, no two clarinets play exactly the same, no matter the brand. My teacher got a hold of another Limite, not at my request, he was just curious as to how these new clarinets would play. The horn comes with standard silver-plated keys. Initially, the horn was extreeeemmmely stuffy, and I noticed a difference in the keywork. My teacher told me to take the horn with me for a week, play around with it, and tell him how I liked it. Reluctantly, I did.
During that week, I gave the people at Weiner a call to place an order for a few R13's. According to Weiner all the R13's with sliver-plated keys are back-ordered. So the only thing that he could offer me in the R13-style would be the nickel-plated R13, a Greenline, or a Prestige. The base price for their nickel-plated R13's are quite good. I took him up on that offer, and he's preparing them to be shipped out. Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to get all of my wisdom teeth removed next Tuesday, two impacted, so my search will come to a brief hault next week. I will probably get Weiner Music to ship the A's on next Wednesday, so that they will arrive after I've recuped and so that I will have time to test the horns out.
This week, I continued to break in the Limite. And to my suprise, it has opened up tremendously. It's opened to the point where I like it more than the R13 A. And I've gotten compliments from numerous teachers on how good of a horn the borrowed-R13 is. I was interested as to what the Limite trully was, so I called into the Music Group's offices in CA. I was put on the phone with someone in customer services, and I asked, "What is the difference in the R13 and Limite?" The guy, his name was Cliff I think, told me that the R13 and Limite are EXACTLY the same. Both are made in France. They have the same bore size. Both are made from the same material, grenadilla. They have the same keywork; I was most skeptical to this one. He said everything is the same on the horns. So I asked what the purpose of creating an identical horn was, and he told me that it was a exclusive deal with Brook Mays to sell the *limiteD production* horn to appeal to educators who had been looking for a less-expensive horn to sell to students. *The price of a Limite Bb is $1899. And the price of a Limite in A is $1995. I was skeptical to believe that these horns are the same as the R13, so I had my teacher call. He received the same answer. Today, I wasn't satisfied, and I called Brook Mays. I received pretty much the same answer, but this time I was told that the "placement of the keys, in other words, keywork, is slightly different." And that otherwise, "the horns are exactly the same." I went back for my lesson this week. And my teacher was floored by how much the A had opened up. We did a blind test of my borrowed A, his A, and the Limite. Afterwards, he suggested that I buy his A, and he would buy the Limite, and not even as a scheme just to get me excited about the horn.
While playing the Limite, I made a few notes. The horn makes for an easier switch, as far as weight is concerned, from Bb to A. Although, this can be credited to my nickel-plated R13 Bb, to the Silver-plated Limite in A. It comes with a 65 MM barrel, just like what was provided with the borrowed A. The key heigths were a bit off. But that's when an overhaul came into picture. My teacher says that it is highly suggested that after a month of breaking in whatever horn I choose, I should send the horn to the Brannens for an overhaul. This has been on my mind, as far as price goes. As the R13 will cost me roughly $2450 including a double case. As the Limite would only cost me $1995 including the same type of double case. I would end up spending roughly 500 bucks for the overhaul. And not to mention, I'd like to get a Backun barrel to replace the standard regardless whether R13 or Limite. So with the price comparisons or everything piled in, $3130 for the R13, and $2675 for the Limite. The only difference I feel is with the keywork, but with a technician's help, I am sure that can be fixed. And if the only difference in the two lines are the keywork, I can definitely deal with it. What should I do?
Does anyone else have opinions on these new horns? Or opinions as to what the people at Brook Mays and Music Group told me?
Not to mention, if I purchased the Limite, the Brannens are skeptical to the fact that the horn has a K-series number. They aren't even sure if they can work on it until I send the horn in as they have guidelines to what they can and can not work on.
Thanks so much for reading the quite lengthy post. And thanks for all suggestions in advance.
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-07-23 04:14
I'm sorry but I don't have any advice for you. I would like to say "Thank you!" for your information though. I've never tried this horn because I always thought it was a cheap imitation. Now, I think I'll go and try a couple.
I did discuss this with Brook Mays and one lady told me that the keys were German forged and that the instrument was made in Germany but it had the same exact specs as the R13 besides the keys. They said that the German keywork is stronger than the French, but who knows? One day I was calling my local music stores for the prices of their R13's and when I called 2 Brook Mays stores, both of them were pushing the Limite like it was a celebrity. I don't know if they are told to push the Limite sales or if they actually believe in their product. It would be nice for a Brook Mays employee who is a clarinet player to post on the BBoard. That would clear a lot of things up!
If you like your A Limite, then go for it! Best of luck! If the Brannens won't work on it, then I bet that someone else who is just as good will work on your clarinet. Ask around and email the other techs who are sponsors of the BBoard, they should be able to help you with your decision on the repairing aspects. Good luck again!
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Author: JW
Date: 2005-07-25 05:35
Having tried both the R13 and limite, there are definitely subtle differences, but I wouldn't say that one is better than the other (then again, I'm probably not good enough to notice too much). As mentioned, one of the obvious differences is the limite does not have the "swoopy" right hand pinkey keys with the cutouts underneath, like all current r13's should. Also as mentioned, the K in the serial number does indicate it is produced in Germany and not France.
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Author: Francois Kloc
Date: 2005-09-16 22:29
Hi,
Even though the "Limite" as a K in front of the serial number it is made at the Buffet Crampon French factory.
Musically Yours,
Francois Kloc
Director of Marketing & Artist Relations
Buffet Crampon USA,Inc.
Francois Kloc
President & CEO
Buffet Crampon USA, Inc.
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Author: Francois Kloc
Date: 2005-09-16 22:33
Hello,
I am sending this e-mail because I realized that my old information came up.
We are no longer part of the Music Group and are now called Buffet Crampon USA, Inc.
If people are interested my new e-mail address is francois.kloc@buffetcrampon.fr (the old e-mail address is still working for now)
Sorry for the confusion,
Musically Yours,
Francois Kloc
President & CEO
Buffet Crampon USA, Inc.
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Author: Avie
Date: 2005-09-18 13:19
Time will tell if the "Limite" is limited. Good luck.
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