 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: R.S.
Date: 2000-03-30 22:17
I've read and heard everywhere that the selection process for a good clarinet relies solely on the users preference. So why do so many people buy Buffet rather than LeBlanc, Selmer or Yamaha. The LeBlanc/Selmer/Yamaha clarinets are quite a bit cheaper. For what it costs to buy a R13, I could possibly purchase a "better" LeBlanc or Selmer.
The reason I'm asking this is because I am in the market for a newer/better sounding clarinet. I previously played 6 years in intermediate and high school. Three years later, I have the great opportunity in playing with a 1/2 professional orchestra in a musical/opera. I am willing to spend the money to buy a better instrument, but I need some serious advice on how to go about searching for the right instrument.
The prices I've gotten so far for an R13(new)range from $1800 up to $2500. For an E13, from $1300 to $1700. I am also considering the E11 because it is half the price of the E13. If anyone can tell me the benefits of going with either of these clarinets, I would be most gracious. Also if any other brands would strike you as "comparable" then that would be appreciated as well.
Thanks.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-03-30 22:32
Actually, according to my personal online poll in which 114 people participated, 36% play Buffet instruments, and 35% played Selmer. The rest were almost evenly divided between Yamaha, Leblanc, and Other/Don't Know.
I wouldn't consider the E-series, given that you are playing in a semi-professional orchestra. Not only that, but the cost of a new intermediate-level instrument (upper end) approaches the top end of what you should be paying for a used professional-level one.
Meri
You could also look at the Patricola and the Rossi clarinets. Both are very recent manufacturers, but are known for making really good instruments at reasonable costs.
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Author: J.Butler
Date: 2000-03-30 22:32
RS,
You're right about the personal preferance. Each person on the BB has uses an instrument that suites them. I personally like the older Selmers with the big bore. I do own an R-13,however for when I play in sections that have a lot of Buffet people in them so I can blend better. While I was at the Texas Music Educators Convention I tried a lot of instruments since the manufacturers were well represented there. I was impressed by some of the offerings and not so impressed by others but here are MY choices of new instruments of what I played there:
1. Yamaha SVE
2. LeBlanc Symphonie IV
3. LeBlanc Opus
You notice I didn't even list the Selmer Signature. I wasn't too impressed by it,but they only had one there and it may not have been one of the better Signatures. I did play all of the Buffets: Prestige, Festival, RC, R-13, etc. I didn't play any of the "E" series. If you have an opportunity to be in a place like this it is great for narrowing down your selection of instruments. If you can afford it you might want to hold off and go to Clarinet Fest.
Also, there are a lot of good used pro clarinets out there to select from. Don't be in a hurry to make a decision.Try out as many clarinets as you can.
Good Luck, and keep an open mind.
J. Butler
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Author: Drew
Date: 2000-03-31 00:05
The process of selecting an instrument seems to be about as individualistic as the people selecting them!
Buffet/Selmer/Leblanc/Yamaha all make first class instruments, your task is to find which one works the best for you. An earlier post suggested to not be in a hurry, which is really good advise. Play as many different instruments as you can (not an easy task).
Some people get hung up on the Buffet "mystique." When I start to feel that way I remember when I had the chance to play my clarinet teacher's Buffet Pestige. Guess what? I didn't sound like he did, I sounded pretty much like I normally do.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-03-31 00:20
I just purchased an Selmer 10 and to me it is the best clarinet that i have played. As a result i plan on sell a Buffet e11, yahama 34 and a jean Cartier. i agree that if you can be in a place where everthing is there that would be great. Take your own mouthpiece.
Take care.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-31 03:51
R.S. wrote:
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... So why do so many people buy Buffet rather than LeBlanc, Selmer or Yamaha...
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Buffet made a significant inovation at a key point in time and was very good at marketing it. Then it becomes somewhat self-perpetuating even though others bring out competing models. Afterall, teachers and pros will naturally recommend what they themselves liked even though that preference may be based on an experience that, for them, is decades in the past.
Of course they do make good instruments so that helps that maintain a market share that they had established. However there are other excellent instruments available.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-03-31 16:05
IMHO, Buffet has given out information and advice much more freely than other manufacturers. That's good customer relations. Francois Kloc, a technician who works for Buffet in the USA, often posts to the klarinet list and has proven a very effective advocate for his company's product. I don't see other manufacturers providing this type of service -- at least not to the extent that Buffet does. In fact, some companies seem downright secretive, and fail to respond to customers' direct questions, particularly about the history of older models. Maybe the information really is lost -- but maybe some companies fear that people will come to idolize the older models, which will then compete successfully with the new ones. I think that's a wrongheaded policy, if that's what's going on. I think what really happens when companies provide lots of information is that customers come away with a sense of history, prestige and stability of this company: The new product fits into an honorable tradition that the company proudly displays.
Right now, on the klarinet e-list, people are arguing about whether new Buffets are better than vintage ones, and whether the Vintage (new replica model) is the same or worse than or better than the "vintage" (old, from the mid-1950s) model of R13. People are busily describing the specifications of each, in detail. The company really can't lose in this type of discussion! Even though some people will come down on the side of "New and Improved!" while others conclude, "They don't make 'em like they used to," the Buffet company name, associated with language evoking an image of high quality and decades of reputation, gets repeated in message after message. What great publicity -- and no spam required! The other companies could learn something from all this.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-31 16:09
I've played in many musicals and some classical orchestras using my Leblanc L7, a "medium-bore" clar., fine[to me] for each musical "character". I [and maybe Dee] prefer LeB's for all-around playing, so I suggest adding to your tryout-list, the LeB Sonata and Esprit and possibly the older LL #1176 all of which are available from most discounters at about half the Buffet pro-line [classical] cl's costs. Don
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-04-03 03:33
Well put Lelia! This is the same logic used on old Ford and Chevy trucks. Durind the gas crunch of the 70s a lot of smaller, cheaper trucks were sold by the thousands. Where are they today? Most likely made into razor blades. My old 71 chevy has 412 thousand on it and will still pass the smog test. Those old Selmer, LeBlancs, etc. are good advertising for those companies and they would be wise to capitolize on it.
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