 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 2007gl
Date: 2007-04-20 18:27
Can anyone offer any input on these two Buffet models? The R-13 seems to be the standard favorite and I've heard mixed reviews for the Tosca.
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2007-04-20 19:52
Two entirely different clarinets. I switched from R13s to Toscas a year and a half ago.
I am absolutely delighted with my Toscas, the keywork feels great for me (although many hate it) and I'm very happy with the sound which I produce on the Toscas. I'm particularly happy with my A clarinet.
The extra keys are not simply gimmicky. I am grateful for an extra g sharp/eb key, and the alternate low F key gets used all the time, not just for low Fs but to create different colours/resonance fingerings/multiphonics.
My only problem is a slightly flat altissimo register, which I've dealt with by having a barrel shortened and then adjusting elsewhere on the instrument.
Try everything of course...but the £1100 price difference is worth every penny in my opinion.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-04-20 22:37
When I was looking for Buffets I tried a few Toscas. There was one amazing A that I tried, but apart from that, I found them too bright and they felt too open, which made me wonder what they'd be like once you've blown them in.
I ended up with an R13...
Danny, do you agree or was it just the small sample that I tried?
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-04-21 05:42
I don't remember exactly how many Toscas I've tried, but I think it was total of 8. 4 Bbs and 4 As (of each 4, 2 were wood and 2 were Greenline). Some I liked more than others but they all sounded very good. I can't really make a comparison between these two models in general, but I really like both (I've played R13 for about 10 years). I didn't like the keys of the Tosca and preferred the R13 keys, but I'm sure you can get used to either one. If you have the option to try several of each model then go ahead (and consider yourself lucky).
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-04-21 07:00
I recall my teacher telling me that now when his Tosca Bb is being repaired and he's using his old R-13 that he need to use a bit more closed mouthpiece since the sound of the Tosca is more open. When I tried RC,R-13,Festival all presitge,Leblanc Opus II and Selmer Saint Louis Bb's I found that the Tosca was not worth the extra money. I found it not much different than the R-13. For me the Festival was clear winner because it was most easy to control and had lot of power. Second was the Selmer with good power and a nice pop to the sound. The Opus II was just for me WAY too resistant and I didn't like the keywork.
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Author: jcfasanar
Date: 2007-04-21 10:51
I use Toscas.
The bore and general feeling of Tosca is a development and evolution of the Festival characteristics.
It have a very sweet and "special" tone that distinguishes of other models. Very very easy to play, and have a variety of tone colors. Keywork is great for me.
Perhaps the feeling when playing it is that have less power than other models like Prestige, but projection is the same (if no better) to the audience, thanks in part to his pure and clear tone.
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Author: kev182
Date: 2007-04-21 11:55
The Tosca key work is fantastic, at least for me.
I've tried around 6 Bb Toscas, one of which was very good however.... there was something that convinced not to buy it. The sound is warm, velvety and pure but it just didn't have the same depth and ring as an R13.
The Tosca sounded great in a smaller room, in a larger hall it didn't really project and had a totally different sound.
Many people seem to be in awe of Tosca A clarinets including my teacher, though he couldn't find a suitable Bb.
Just my 2c
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2007-04-21 22:18
Morrigan,
It depends how you define 'bright'. I would hope that I produce a 'dark' sound (clips on the web link below, someone can tell me what they think I suppose!)
As for projection kev182, I find I can make a much larger sound on the Toscas than I ever could on my R13s, <tongue in cheek> though they were ten years old by the time I sold them, maybe they were 'blown out'. It seems I've been lucky with my Bb, it's almost as good as my A, but I have played a few duffers.
Not sure how the Tosca is an evolution of the Festival...I have never played a Festival I've liked, but took very well to Toscas.
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-04-22 02:47
I play a Festival Bb instrument and a Tosca A. I find the Tosca A that I have to be one of the very best A clarinets I've ever played. For me, it plays more like a Bb instrument in its resistance yet has the depth of sound that I look for in an A clarinet. The keywork for me is just fine but it's the sound that really hooked me. Big, centered and very malleable, at least for me.
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