 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: aminor
Date: 2007-07-10 14:40
Hi, I'm confused about something and your expertise would be so greatly appreciated. Why would Buffet make an R-13 with an inferior mouthpiece and barrel? I have just purchased an R-13 - 1976 and now I am supposed to buy a VanDoren mouthpiece and some other barrel? Why is this? The clarinet plays beautifully as is. All the different piece requirements seems a little bit too complicated for me. Does Buffet really put out inferior mouthpieces on purpose? Thank you.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-07-10 15:34
The assumption with a pro-line clarinet like the R13 is that the purchaser already has a pro-line mouthpiece with which he has "bonded." Mouthpieces are a very personal choice and definitely NOT a one-size-fits-all item.
I don't see anything wrong with Buffet's barrels, though, myself. Some folks are just "gadget hounds" but again, if a different barrel gives you exactly what you're looking for as far as sound, then go for it.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-07-10 15:51
If they work well for you, use them. They are not inferior as in "pure junk", but in some players' opinions not absolute "top of the line". Many players have definite personal preferences on mouthpieces, and to a lesser degree on barrels, and even bells. They are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on these items. The ones that come with the instruments work, they just might not work as well as some of the custom brands. The call is yours, definitely a personal thing.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-10 16:41
It's not really economical to supply a top quality mouthpiece with a clarinet if the player already uses one of their own choice, and the supplied one is just cast aside.
Though there are still several companies that supply their pro clarinets with a good quality mouthpiece that never gets used.
Why do you regard Buffet barrels as inferior?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2007-07-10 17:04
I believe we clarinetists have been asking that quesiton for years. The answer can best be explained in dollars and cents. Buffet is aware that most players buying the R13 will likely already have a mouthpiece they prefer or buy something different. Since they cannot please all players with one "good" universal mouthpiece, they choose to save money and put in the plastic Schreiber mouthpiece.
There was some talk recently about removing the mouthpieces altogether since only a handful of buyers actually use them (for something other than a door stop).
Scott Kurtzweil
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-07-10 17:11
By the time someone selects an R13 or higher grade of instrument, manufacturers assume that you have already settled on an optimum mouthpiece for your physical characteristics and playing style.
Look at most quality mouthpiece manufacturers. Or even Vandoren, for that matter. ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif) Notice how many different models and facings these folks offer? Each one is slightly different, and different players will either love, hate or be indifferent to any given mouthpiece. That Buffet even bothers to include a mouthpiece is interesting. For a beginner model, maybe. But past the E-series, there really is no good reason to include one.
Jeff
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Author: aminor
Date: 2007-07-10 17:16
Thank you everyone, that clears up my question. But I played all through high school and college and won gold medals all on a wood LeBlanc Dynamique with the mouthpiece that came with it. The top joint cracked which is why I decided to buy the r-13.
Chris, I wasn't clear...I don't consider Buffet barrels to be inferior, I was wondering why everything I read on the web talks about replacing the mouthpiece and barrel.
One more question...What kind of professional mouthpiece should I get for my Buffet R-13?
Thank you!
Kathleen
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-07-10 17:42
Kathleen, as mentioned above, mouthpiece selection is a very personal thing. It is difficult for us to recommed one to someone we do not know, have never heard, and are unfamiliar with.
To select a mouthpiece, I would suggest that you consult a respected teacher in your area. After settling on a brand/model, you should try several of that type to see which one you like best. Frr the last two mouthpieces I selected, I picked the first one out of six variants the maker sent to me, and each one was disctinctly different. On the mouthpiece I currently use, Walter Grabner sent me two diffferent mouthpieces with slightly different facings. Both were very good, but I liked one better than the other. My choices in mouthpieces are immaterial, as they might not reflect what is good for you.
Jeff
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-07-10 21:01
Yeah, what JJ said. And I wouldn't go barrel hunting until after you get a nice mouthpiece and get used to it for awhile. Hey, you might even be satisfied with the barrel after all.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-07-11 02:16
I wonder if original gear rejection syndrome is far more highlighted in this forum than it actually occurs in real life, especially in countries where individuals typically have insufficient wealth to have GAS.
"...That Buffet even bothers to include a mouthpiece is interesting."
This sort of makes me think of the notion of tidy casual shirts being sold without the buttons, or without the collar, in case somebody has a different preference. Hmm.
Some people get fussier and fussier until they are satisfied with nothing. Others get more and more versatile, and become able to perform magnificently on anything.
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