 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike Koci
Date: 2007-06-30 01:26
Hi,
I'm in my second year of college and currently playing a Buffet e12. I think I'm ready for an r13, but I'm not sure where or how to buy one. I've tried a few local stores, but the one or two r13s that they keep in stock have horrible intonation and leaking pads. Does anyone know of a good way or place to buy r13s that are intune and playable? I'm near Chicago.
Thanks for any help,
Mike
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-06-30 01:39
Walter Grabner and Rick Sayre are both in the Chicago area. Why not give them a call? Or, you're a short drive from the Woodwind and Brasswind in Indiana. Between these 3, I'd think you'd be all set.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-06-30 06:50
Try Lisa Canning. I have two instruments from her, both awesome. One's an R13 Bb and it's tuning is great. Expect to pay for what you get though!
www.lisasclarinetshop.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-06-30 10:23
Mike...I live in Joliet, send me an email. bob
Bob Draznik
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Author: jmcgann
Date: 2007-06-30 13:09
I second Walter Grabner; I bought an R13 Vintage from him last year, great setup work and excellent customer service- and a very nice guy to boot!
www.johnmcgann.com
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-06-30 15:51
I would contact Lisa. Alternative would be to try all available at the Buffet factory, if you can afford the cost of travel. Like all makes and models, there are some of artist quality , perhaps one in twenty of the same make and model.
richard smith
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-06-30 15:54
I would definitely consider Walter Grabner.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-06-30 16:49
I wholeheartedly endorse Walter Grabner's Buffets. I am currently play-testing a silver-plated R-13 that is the sweetest playing and sounding R-13 that I've played in years! And, everyone on the board knows how many of these I've owned and sold. Well, maybe not everyone, but a lot of you know. Some of that was clarinets I play-tested for others.
I needed an R-13 for an upcoming gig and was dreading the whole process of having them sent out to me 3 at a time. There is no longer a Buffet dealer in my town, so it means getting them from Woodwind and Brasswind or somewhere that I can have several sent out. That means all three go on my credit card and even when I return the non-selected ones it costs me a huge finance charge for the 3 weeks they were on there. Then the selected instrument usually always has to go to the Brannens or some other set-up people for another $500.00 of adjustment and new pads to get it into good playing condition.
So, that said, I just got tired of that and wanted something that was already set up without the additional $500.00. I emailed Walter about one of his that he got at the Oklahoma conference (it said "hand selected from 21) and he called me to find out what I needed in a clarinet. I told him I really like smooth, quiet key-action and excellent tone and intonation (who doesn't?) and we talked about spring tension, etc. Then he said he would play-test the one I asked about again and ship it out. It arrived yesterday and it is very, very nice. I'm probably going to keep it, so don't get your hopes up that it'll go back to him. But, I noticed he has a couple more.
I've used other people in the past to hand-select for me, but Walter has done the best job so far. He's a joy to work with and very honest and considerate of your time and money.
Let me recommend you get him to hand-select a mouthpiece to match as well.
P.S. (added July 1) I've just come back from a concert with the R-13 I got from Walter and it did a beautiful job. It made playing such a pleasure. KUDOS, Walter!
try this link:
http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Post Edited (2007-07-02 00:54)
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2007-07-03 03:51
I won't endorse anybody.
If you feel so confident in someone else's ability to pick an instrument for you, then go for it. Otherwise, if there is any question at all, you will be better if you can pick your own instrument. Many manufacturers' products vary little from instrument to instrument, and others may vary enormously. You will have to live with the choice.
Talk to your teacher to see if they are going instrument hunting. If not, take a trusted friend to help you play-test instruments. Both take your spare mouthpices and tuners.
Have your friend listen to your playing, and then you listen to theirs. Does the spare mouthpieces change things for either of you? What about slightly softer/harder reeds?
Come with an open mind. Yeah, I know you will only ride a Harley, but take the other stuff out for a spin, too. You might be surprised.
Play on as many instruments as you can. Take the time - it will be somewhat grueling, but also should ultimately be a fun adventure.
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-07-03 04:13
Even though you're not anywhere near DC, for the benefit of others reading this thread who may be near DC I would recommend Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center. They have good deals, good customer service and good selection. When I bought my Bb there I was able to play almost a dozen instruments before making my selection.
Steve Ballas
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-07-03 14:07
If you're near Chicago, you should give Walter a call and go by in person to his studio and play-test some.
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Author: sherman
Date: 2007-07-03 15:21
Or you could buy one of each, sometimes two of each, then rotate them endelssly, have them overhauled, then start again. What is by the way, a "Pro Clarinet"?
Post Edited (2007-07-03 19:05)
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-07-03 19:44
Hello,
The best clarinet selecting experience I've had was my last. I flew up to Canada, where John Weir had a bunch of upper joints, lower joints, barrels and bells on his new Orsi and Weir clarinets. I mixed and matched until the perfect combination was found (I prefer the Euro bore). John puts the serial number on the upper joint only, so you are free to mix and match--I'm now convinced this is the only way to truly get a "customized" clarinet. Of course, John is a top repairman, so you really get the royal treatment with tweaks as you play, when you visit his shop.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Mike Koci
Date: 2007-07-03 22:22
Thanks for all the feedback!
When I'm a little less busy I'll check out what Walter Grabner has in stock.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-07-03 22:29
"I won't endorse anybody."
The beautiful part of other people recommending and endorsing certain sellers is that their name is on the line. If others recommend a seller who themselves are known to be very meticulous about their instruments, then the burden of purchasing should fall even heavier on the seller. Walter Grabner is one of many numerous reputable sellers that would compete for your business as what most music stores SHOULD be doing. other stores or sellers will just throw you something that isn't set up the way it should.
In the music world, your name is pretty much everything that you represent.
just my 2 cents.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-07-04 15:29
Yes, I agree. I don't recommend people unless my personal experience has been excellent. I have also used Lisa Argiris (Lisa's clarinets) and had good results from her hand-selection process.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-07-05 21:18
Ben you get that much service from Orsi and Weir and a great clarinet(as good as Buffet Tosca you said once) and still they are cheaper than Buffet R-13 how can John Weir do it?
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-07-05 22:34
Perhaps the more revealing question would be, Why doesn't Buffet do it?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-07-06 01:53
Walter Grabner would be a great choice. Honest, reliable guy.
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-07-07 05:38
"Perhaps the more revealing question would be, Why doesn't Buffet do it?"
It's because they would be making less money if they did it themselves.
Think about it
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