The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bryris
Date: 2005-08-31 21:36
I have been wanting an R-13 for a long time....and that time has finally come. I will never be a professional musician, but I do see myself playing in small groups, both classical and jazz. I am upgrading from a Normandy 4 clarinet (which has worked well for a while).
Its a 1981 (#219840) Buffet Crampon R-13. Purchased it off of E-bay from a seller /w 100% feedback and 314 transactions. He described it as:
"You are bidding on this relisted absolutely beautiful Buffet Crampon R13 wooden clarinet. Made in France. Key of Bb. This clarinet is in very good condition top to bottom. No cracks or chips…had a re-pad job professionally done about 10 years ago. This clarinet was bought new in 1983 or 1984....has been well kept and is in very good condition. Serial number 219840. Pads in working condition….they all hold a seal….some may need replacement down the line...some of the plating showing its age (just cosmetic…very minor)…keys all good. Vandoren B46 mouthpiece (very good shape as well), a HIGH quality Rovner flexible ligature...bore oil and key oil included. Stand and mouthpiece cover ALSO included."
Paid $850 + 25 shipping = $875 total.
Is this a pretty good deal?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-08-31 21:40
875 for a good, needs no work R13 sounds like a good deal to me. Have you received it yet? If so, how does it sound?
Alexi
PS - Congrats on the purchase! Nothing feels better than that feeling of getting a new instrument. Especially in the hands of someone who will appreciate it.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: bryris
Date: 2005-08-31 22:14
No, i haven't received it. ust bought it, in fact. From the description, it is in great shape, but will maybe need some new pads down the road a bit. I'll have to see then /w my own eyes before I can tell how urgent the re-pad is. Even if it needs all new pads and a few adjustments....$200 bucks or so more will still be a good deal.
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Author: neil.clarinet
Date: 2005-08-31 22:21
R13 is the way to go. I have an R13 Vintage. I really like it. I also just recently got the Rovner ligature, which I find supprots the reed better than the metal double screw type.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-08-31 23:22
Welcome to This Thing Of Ours. Don't be no rat and go stoolin' to Leblanc, capiche?
/owns R-13 Bb and Leblanc A
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-08-31 23:38
Congrats on your acquisition of the R-13. I have a 1960's R-13 and it is okay, needs some work done. I hope it all turns out for you. Keep us posted as to how you like it!!
Clayton
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-09-01 02:40
Actually I was kidding. The % of R-13 owners compared to non R-13 owners I would figure is smaller due to the "other brands" and yes, the others brands are just that "other brands" have gotten a lot better and are serious candidates to the buffet monopoly.
Especially since Buffet hasn't really done much at all to improve their product while the splinter brands have.
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Author: bryris
Date: 2005-09-09 01:37
I received the clarinet today and it looks and plays very well. I am sending it to John Butler day after tomorrow to let him do a full overhaul on it. Many of the pads are shot. The wood looks good, no cracks, and the keys work very nicely without too much clatter. Overall, I am very happy. When John gets through working his magic, its going to be one sweet horn!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-10 00:07
Congrats on the purchase Bryris! I still remember how awesome of a feeling it was when I received my first "pro" horn and felt the difference between my old and my new. Quite a great feeling knowing that now my mistakes are only to be blamed on ME!!! (although in public, my mistakes are because of a bad reed )
I wouldn't mind you resurfacing this thread when it returns from JButler and how you feel it has improved. Both visually and playability. And next, comes the great mouthpiece hunt!!! Boy are you in for a good time with that new horn!!!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: bryris
Date: 2005-09-10 01:47
Thanks. I boxed it up tonight after only having it for about 28 hours, to prepare it to ship out to jbutler tomorrow. You are right though, after playing that thing for a half hour or so, going back to my Normandy 4 is kinda disappointing. The R-13 is so free blowing.....I didn't realize how hard I was having to work to play the Normandy 4.
Anyway, John is pretty busy he says, and it could be 2 to 3 weeks until my Buffet gets back. Oh well.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-09-10 11:17
So many other Clarinets are just crap compared to the R-13. Sometimes it's just a question of is the player sensitive enough to know the difference.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-14 22:25
Now I've got my 1962 R13 Eb all completely rebuilt and playing like a dream (just finished it at 10pm this evening - nearly 1h30m ago as I type this), it makes my plastic Vito Eb sound brash and toneless in comparison.
Makes it all worthwhile!
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Author: Pete
Date: 2005-09-15 00:24
Congratulations on your purchase. Just make sure you take the bore oil that came with it and deep six it. Lord only knows what kind of oil is in that bottle or how old it is. Don't take a chance with it.
You should probably do the same with the key oil.
Hope you enjoy it!
Pete
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