 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2005-11-02 02:13
I am considering the purchase of a new Tosca. I would very much like feedback from those of you who either have purchased and are performing on, or have played tested the instrument. I would like to know your personal pros and cons for this model, and how you compare Tosca to Buffet's or Selmer's other top line Clarinets.
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Author: KellyA
Date: 2005-11-02 03:56
I recently purchased a Bb Tosca Greenline a few weeks ago and couldn't be more pleased. I've ordered a Chadash 66mm barrel and a Clark Fobes MP for it. Right now I'm using a Vandoren m30 with the original barrel and it sounds wonderful. At first, I was freaked out about the low f correction key. I was hitting it thinking it was the regular f and having problems finding the Ab, but that only lasted a day. I can now navigate the correction key with no problem. Some players have criticised the low f correction key saying it really doesn't make a notable difference in the sound. I found that it improves the sound greatly and gets rid of the flatness. The keywork is awesome! There are nylon contact points on some of the keys to eliminate the metal-hitting-metal sound. I've tried some selmers and leblancs and found them akward, but that's probably because I've only played buffets and I'm used to the way they feel and play. I ordered mine new from music123.com for 4,499.00 (with discount price quote). The day after it arrived I had to bring it in to the repair shop because the upper and lower joints had a very tight fit. The repairman measured the sections with a micrometer and made the necessary corrections and now the joints are smooth as butter. (that costed 45.00) Others on the forum have said this is a common problem on buffet clarinets when they are new. Overall I'm very happy with it and it plays like a dream.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-02 04:53
About two weeks ago at the world bass clarinet convention I've tried many Bb clarinets as well. Maybe it's just me, but the Tosca was my least favorite from all Buffets. The sound wasn't any better than the RC's and and RC prestiges, and Festivals, but the keywork was less comfortable to me than the other models. I've played a Buffet R13 and R13 Prestige for years, so maybe that is why the Tosca was less comfortable. Anyway, I couldn't find anything that justify the price over other top models from Buffet. I've also played Selmers and Leblancs, and although Selmers are never comfortable to me, even the Leblanc was more comfortable than the Tosca.
Another thing - I know KellyA above me had great luck with their Tosca, but I would not order a clarinet online like that. At least you should go to a store with a reasonable amount of clarinets and try several.
Llewsrac, where are you from? If you are anywhere close to France, I would go to Buffet's factory and choose the instrument there, since you'll get the biggest selection there. If you are from the USA, you can probably find a store with a big selection too.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-03 02:27
I've been trying many new instruments lately as part of a clarinetist's obligatory and never-ending search for something 'better'.
In my opinion, this is COMPLETELY different from all the other Buffet models. It's so different it might as well not even be a Buffet. To me, it's brighter, freer-blowing and the keys are INCREDIBLY comfy. I found, trying one out, that it shows up a lot of flaws in my technique. The respone and eveness are great, the keys are great, maybe the low F could come into handy in some situations but it's generally not needed.
I've tried 2 Bb's and I A and found them consistent and all of high quality. I haven't tried a Greenline. The A I tried was extraordinary and unfortunately a very ordinary student purchased it.
I am seriously considering the Tosca. Luckily I've got a BAM case because the Tosca's 'retro' case is shamefully tacky.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-03 13:29
Quote:
The A I tried was extraordinary and unfortunately a very ordinary student purchased it. Feeling a little pompous today?
US Army Japan Band
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Author: A2Clarinetist
Date: 2005-11-03 17:27
sfalexi wrote:
Quote:
Feeling a little pompous today?
Hmmm, I took that to mean that the student could afford such a clarinet but probably doesn't have the innate talent to take it where the instrument can go. I don't think that is pompous.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-11-03 18:11
At last Buffet has made an instrument that approaches the pinnacle of clarinet engineering achieved by LeBlanc thirty years ago...
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-03 19:38
Quote:
Hmmm, I took that to mean that the student could afford such a clarinet but probably doesn't have the innate talent to take it where the instrument can go. I don't think that is pompous. I just thought the comment itself could have been worded better. I understand what Morrigan was saying, but I don't agree that it should be considered "unfortunate" that an "ordinary" student purchased it. I myself don't play very well, and probably am not as good as most college level students are. Not EVEN ordinary, if you will. But I sure do love playing, and if I could afford an extraordinary instrument, you bet your @$$ that I'd buy it. But I don't see it as unfortunate, unless Morrigan meant that it was unfortunate that he wasn't able to buy it before someone else.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarinetfreak
Date: 2005-11-03 20:55
I recently tried two of the Tosca's at Marinelli's (sorry the spelling is wrong) in Delaware and I wasn't too impressed with them. The craftmanship on the horns seems to be exellent (keywork and quality of wood) but I was not not getting the sound I was looking for.
It's funny, I can basically get any horn for free (I play in a premiere military band) and so I was going to buy the most expensive horn out there, which is the Tosca, but it didn't turn out to be the best horn for me. After trying the Tosca, Vintage, R13's, and RC's I liked the RC's the best.
Good Times!
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-11-03 21:51
Haha, say something contraversial and everyone's all over it!
I basically meant that it's unfortunate that I didn't get to buy it first and that the student who purchased it isn't a student anymore with no intention of continuing clarinet, just 'wants to play' so the instrument is basically going to waste.
I think I'll give the Tosca a miss THIS time around as it plays too similarly to my Leblancs to justify buying it. However, in future, when I encounter a snobby audition panel, I've got the option of purchasing a Tosca and sounding quite similar but be playing on a Buffet - everyone wins!
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Author: KellyA
Date: 2005-11-03 21:58
I'm new to this forum. It amazes me how opinionated players are about their equipment. Its like there is only certain manufacturers that make decent products and everything else is c#$p. My mistake: I purchased the clarinet before finding this BB, or else I would have play tested some others. I never knew there was a big difference between the same model. I am happy with it and I sound great on it. I have tried some of the pro-level leblancs as well and found it not to be the clarinet for me, mainly because it felt very different than what I was used to...an r13. I'm sure if I played the leblancs long enough I could find it's strong points, but initially it wasn't that great (for ME). In high school I played a selmer signet soloist with a selmer c85 mouthpiece. When it was time to upgrade clarinets, I tried both a pro selmer and an r13, there was a huge difference in projection, darkness, and flexibilty so I chose the r-13 for college. Having said that, I could not find a better replacement for my Eb soprano clarinet than my old beat up noblet which had perfect intonation. But I had to quit playing it because I developed a nickle allergy to the keys. So my point is that we all have different experiences, preferences, abilities, and playing styles. When making the decision to spend a small fortune on a new clarinet, decide if the clarinet your interested in is right for you.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-04 11:33
Morrigan said:
"I basically meant that it's unfortunate that I didn't get to buy it first and that the student who purchased it isn't a student anymore with no intention of continuing clarinet, just 'wants to play' so the instrument is basically going to waste."
IMO, no instrument, no matter how fancy or expensive, which is being played regularly is "going to waste". It doesn't matter if it's some person who just plays with a church or community band, just plays on their own in their house, or is in a major symphony. As long as they're playing it, that's good, and the instrument has a good home.
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Author: klarisa
Date: 2005-11-04 11:42
I think there are a lot more amateurs than pro's out there. So the majority of instruments is bought by amateurs. So we keep the factory's working and the prices affordable. Besides how many pro's would lose there job (and become amateurs) if we stopped taking lessons?
Live and let live pls.....We need one another for sure.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-11-04 13:21
I thought you might have met something more along those lines Morrigan. From all the posts in the past I've seen of yours, I just thought maybe you were having a bad day and were a little jealous that you weren't able to get it or something.
For the record, I've only tried ONE (count 'em, "One") buffet tosca. I wasn't overly impressed. While it played well, I found many others at the place that I tried it out that for me played better (and for the record, it was a selection of clarinets from Weiner music, and the ones I liked the best were the Buffet Vintage R13, followed by a Selmer Signature)
While all the clarinets there were well adjusted, the two I liked just seemed to agree with me more and give me more of a sound that I liked.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-11-04 14:32
I'd buy a Steinway concert grand from the vaunted Steinway basement if I could afford one, and the only thing I can play is Chopin's Prelude in C minor (I merely memorized it while in college). And if I got to it before Van Cliburn could buy it, well, tough nuts, Vanya.
________________
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: Irwin
Date: 2005-11-06 12:03
I tried three Toscas. All had good intonation, but certainly not better than the Prestiges which I tried at the same time. It blew perhaps a bit more freely than the Prestiges. What I didn't like was the positioning of the keys, not because they are bad, but just different from any Buffet or LeBlanc I've tried. In the end that issue was a deal breaker for me.
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