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Differences between brands

Author: Alicia
Date: 2000-03-20 23:45

Thanks guys, for such a detailed response to my last post... now I have another question... some people recommend Yamaha and others Buffet. Is there any discernable difference for the beginner/ intermediate level clarinets? And how about mouthpieces? Is mixing and matching OK?

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RE: Differences between brands

Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-03-21 13:37

Mixing and matching of mouthpieces is not just OK, it is essential. I don't know about Yamaha, but the mouthpieces provided with Buffet instruments are generally reckoned to be poor quality. There are many good mouthpieces available independently, for example the Vandoren B45. You can get hundreds of recommendations on this discussion group, but I have yet to come across anybody who recommended using the mouthpiece that came with the Buffet instrument.

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RE: Differences between brands

Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-21 13:44

Suggest you also look at Leblanc and Selmer. They too make very fine instruments.

As Eoin has said though, mouthpieces should generally be purchased separately.

The following are generalities about the mouthpieces that come standard with clarinets. There can of course be exceptions.

Yamaha - OK
Buffet - replace mouthpiece
Leblanc - replace mouthpiece
Selmer - If mouthpiece says Bundy replace, if it doesn't say Bundy but just says Selmer it is OK

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RE: Differences between brands

Author: paul
Date: 2000-03-23 22:07

...for what it's worth, and it may not be much, having the stock mp available as a last ditch emergency back up isn't too bad an idea. True, I dearly love my custom made Borbeck 13 mp, because the playability and sound are so much better than my B45 and 5RVLyre. However, I still have the stock Buffet mp stored away somewhere. It may not be the greatest mp in the world, but at least it's better than no mp at all if some kind of dire emergency came up and I had nothing else.

So, for the folks who have only one other mp, I'd still put in my two cents worth and say keep the stock mp for an emergency. You never know when someone will walk by and knock your horn into the music stand or onto the hard ground. Most folks have another reed available and just about ready to play. Bent keys can usually get rebent back into playing shape and some nicks on the horn's body can be tolerated. However, a crack or deep nick in the tip of the mp can render it totally useless forever.

Just a point to ponder...

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