 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2000-04-24 23:21
When I decided to take up the clarinet again after a couple of decades away, I leased a Yamaha student clarinet. I have no complaints about it but am now thinking of making a purchase. I will be joining the community band in my town and wonder whether I should stick with my Yamaha or try stepping "up" so to speak to an intermediate clarinet. The music store where I am leasing my Yamaha suggested the International Buffet. I would like to hear from anyone who has personal experience with this instrument and what they think. All suggestions appreciated.
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Author: Drew
Date: 2000-04-25 00:14
Since you are ready to make a commitment to joining a local community band, you should purchase your own instrument!
The Buffet International is a bit special in the sense that it is available only through music shops, not through the large mail order outfits.
I recently bought a Buffet E-11, which I believe is a bit lower priced than the "International." My E-11 is a real champ! One of the nice things about buying from a local shop is the ability to have some minor adjustments done during the warrenty period.
The "Big Four" clarinet brands are Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc and Yamaha; stick with one of these brands and you can't go wrong.
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Author: Kenny
Date: 2000-04-25 04:33
I agree with Drew about purchasing your own clarinet. There is nothing like owning the clarinet you play and developing A "relationship" with it . I too play a E-11 which I love. It has a beautiful tone and is not overly expensive. Couple it with a good mouthpiece and you'll have a great sounding instrument at an affordable price.
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-04-25 21:34
I agree with both Kenny and Drew, Buy your own instrument.
I play a buffet E-13, I believe that is similar to the international. Go to buffets web page and compare the instruments.
Good Luck,
GRaham
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Author: Justin
Date: 2000-04-27 00:53
I too am a member of the E-11 club, and am enjoying every minute of it. After my purchase, I coupled it with a Vandoren B45 mp, Vandoren V12 #2.5 reeds, and a Rovner Eddie Daniels 2 ligature, which makes for an even more beautiful instrument. I had a choice between the standard E-11 and the E-11 international. I found the following differences. The two play as similar as a natural product can, but some individual instruments of the same model just seem to "speak" better to some people than the others. The E-11 came with an adjustable metal thumb rest, while the E-11 International came with a stationary plastic one. The E-11 came in a hard case, with locks, and a small well at the back with just the right amount of space to hold the cleaning cloth, cork grease, reed protector, and two boxes of Vandoren reeds. The E-11 International came in a soft case, which has safe and well padded. It was sealed by a zipper and had an extra pocket on the outside, with space for a reed holder and some other small odds and ends on the inside of the case. And lastly, the International model was about $300 cheaper. (this was all in Canadian $) I could have gotten the international for a flat $1000. I opted instead for the $1300 standard E-11 for the following reasons:
1. I like the security the locks provide. They may seem flimsy, and they wont stp a thief, but they can be quite useful.
2. The plastic International rest, while more comfortable on my thumb, was in a bad position for my hands. I solved the comfort problem by putting a rubber fitting over my rest.
3. I believe the hard case protects better, since it carry it around a public high school and am always banging into desks, doors, other people etc..
Sadly, I may be leaving the E-11 club. If at the end of next year I decide that I want the clarinet to play an even larger role in my life I will be shelling out an insanely large sum of money for an RC Prestige, which is the sweetest little thing you have ever heard. Anyway, I hope I was helpful and good luck!
Justin Silber
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Author: Jesse
Date: 2000-04-27 05:43
But E-11's sell for only about $599, almost everywhere. Are you talking about the E-13?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-04-27 11:23
Jesse wrote:
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But E-11's sell for only about $599, almost everywhere. Are you talking about the E-13?
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Read again. That was $1000 Canadian - close to $600 USD. We have people from around the world on the list, so remember to convert the money figures into your own local currency.
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Author: Debbie
Date: 2000-04-27 17:04
This information is helping out a lot. I think I will just have to try out both of them and see which one "sings" to me.
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Author: Jesse
Date: 2000-04-27 22:20
then why is the International so much cheaper? They cost about $1000 in the US, but in Canadian money, that would be such a bargain!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-04-27 22:30
Jesse wrote:
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then why is the International so much cheaper? They cost about $1000 in the US, but in Canadian money, that would be such a bargain!
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Yup. Each place can set their own price.
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