 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joseph
Date: 2000-07-10 04:58
I'm upgrading to a pro-level instrument and am exploring a couple brands.
1.Selmer 10G
2.Selmer 10SII
3.Selmer Signature
4.Buffet R13,R13 Festival , R13 Prestige
5.Yamaha?(not sure on there models)
There are 2 dealers in my city.The one that deals in Selmer and Yamaha has an outstanding customer service policy(I've boughten a flute 2 clarinets and a saxaphone from them)
The one that deals in Buffet carries their full line but I've heard some horror stories about their repair shop.
Question 2. I play my clarinet constantly.I bought an entry level pro last year and have played the stuffin' out of it already.On adverage I play 2-3 hours per day in summer 4-5 in band season,so I was wondering if the models I listed are just going to wear out on me,or if I will get a lifetimes use out of it.
Question 3.How do all these models stack up?? I've played a couple of the Selmer's,and my teacher let me try her ancient R13.: ) I like them both!!This is kinda a complex issue for me,I like the Selmer's "big" "fat" sound and I Really like the sweetness of the Buffets.Which could be considered better? A sweet or rounded sound?
I talked to a lot of people with Buffet's and they all seem to like them,but I am still looking for someone who plays a pro Selmer.I would love to hear some feedback from some of those Selmer owners out there.
OH,well I've gone off rambling again.If your still awake at the end of this post please leave some feedback.
Merci,
Joe : )
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2000-07-10 07:08
Joseph wrote:
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I was wondering if the models I listed are just going to wear out on me,or if I will get a lifetimes use out of it.
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Most people think that clarinets do not wear out. They should last forever although the pads will eventually need to be replaced. There is a small minority who believe that clarinets get "blown out" after a number of years and can no longer produce a nice tone.
Be warned that when you but a wood clarinet, you won't be able to play it for five hours the first day. It is recommended that you "break it in" by playing it for a short time the first day, slightly more the next and so on. So you will need to keep your old horn until the new one is fully broken in.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-07-10 12:01
For me a part of my decision of what horn to buy was based on the advice of my private instructor. The other part of the decision came because of the church orchestra that I play in, those that have nicer horns all have Buffet R-13's. We have a very "unified" sound when we play together.
There are probably many nice horns. Just a little "food for thought."
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-07-10 13:46
You have a great opportunity in front of you - the luxury of choice. Use it to your advantage. Have the store owner roll out three horns of each brand and model that you want. Test play all of them against each other first, narrowing down to one good horn, then against the competitor's best horn. Narrow the choices down to your final candidate. Then, buy it. If you want a characteristic sound, ignore the brand and model and just go for it. In the long run, you will be happier with your own choice than someone else's choice.
Also, keep in mind that wood horns need to be broken in gently over a fairly significant time period. First day, no more than 5 minutes or so. Hold it to that limit for a week. Next week, 10 minutes. Next week 30 minutes. After about a month or so, you can play the horn for hours on end for decades.
All of the horns you mention should take the hard use (with proper care, of course) for many decades. I've personally seen pro grade horns that were used very hard like this by pros who depend on them to make a living. 8 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, year after year. Sure, the horn looks worn, and it always takes money and time to maintain it, but it still plays great.
Finally, don't let anyone tell you what to buy. It's your money, it's your choice.
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Author: Jill E.
Date: 2000-07-10 14:01
I play a Selmer Series 10 Mazzeo Model. I got it when I was a junior in high school, back in 1972. It has held up very well--in college, I played it probably at least 4 to 6 hours a day, on average. I've never had, or wanted, another clarinet.
When my daughter started college last year, we let her choose a new clarinet. She tried the R-13, a Leblanc model (I forget which), and a Yamaha (64?). She chose the R-13 and is very happy with it (it developed a crack in a joint, but the company replaced it).
So, you just have to try them out and decide which one YOU like. Find out what the company's warranties are, of course.
Good luck!
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Author: William
Date: 2000-07-10 15:17
My first clarinets weere Selmers (Bundy, Centered-Tone "pro" model, Series 9*) and I liked them all. As a college senior clarinet major, I switched to the Buffet R-13s and played them until 1993, when I switched to the Leblanc Concertos (because my old college professor and many other "pros" also switched). I have recently decided to go back to my R-13s because I am constantly trying to achieve, with my LeBlancs, that particular sound that (IMHO) only Buffet can produce. The Selmers and LeBlancs have even scales, great intonation and "big" sounds, but in the orchestra, the "Buffet" sound seems to be the most desirable (carrying power, clarity, blend with other instruments, etc). Bottom line is that Buffet (vintage R-13) is the standard by which all other clarinets are measured. The newer Selmers, LeBlancs, Yamahas, and Buffets, for that matter, have made great accoustical improvements in recent years, but they all still try to emulate and advertise how they compare to the classic vintage R-13s. Try them all and decided for yourself. (PS--if you decided to go with Selmer, the 10G in the model designed for Anthony Giollotti,legendary Principal with the Philadelphia Orchestra, based upon HIS vintage "Moennig" Buffet R-13s--good luck)
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Author: drew
Date: 2000-07-10 16:00
Some very good advise in the preceeding posts.
There are MANY people who swear by the Buffet R13. I happend to play Selmer (Selmer Paris Series 10S), but I've played new R13's and prefer the Buffet.
If possible, take your teacher along to help in the decision. Also, use the same mouthpiece/reed/ligature conbination while trying out all the new instruments.
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-07-10 18:45
I recently bought a Selmer Signature after comparing various Selmers-Buffets-Leblancs. I'm very happy with my choice - love the tone, intonation and the tone hole placement. Also, I found the adjustable thumb rest to be the best for my hand (that's important if you're going to play alot).
I learned clarinet on the Buffet R13 - it too is a great instrument, but I felt the Signature performed better overall during comparison. The Buffet Prestiges and Leblancs were too expensive for me.
All the above advise is good, except I don't understand the principle behind breaking in a horn slowly. I think that's superstition - is there any hard evidence to suggest that playing a new clarinet for more than 5 minutes a day at first will cause a problem? After all, think how many people have tried the instrument before you - you have to spend more than 5 minutes with a clarinet before you decide if you like it or not. It takes a while just to warm up.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-07-10 19:36
larry wrote:
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All the above advise is good, except I don't understand the principle behind breaking in a horn slowly. I think that's superstition - is there any hard evidence to suggest that playing a new clarinet for more than 5 minutes a day at first will cause a problem?
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Buffet recommends not playing the instrument more than 30 minutes <I>continuously</i> during the 1st month. I'll bet this break-in period is based on their own anecdotal evidence, not any hard evidence.
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 2000-07-11 15:31
I wouldn't mind gettng a hold of the R-13 Prestige with the extra E-flat trill key. I love my R-13, and if I was to move up from what I have now, it would be the Prestige. *drool* But I haven't played one yet...
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Author: HTW
Date: 2000-07-14 04:02
Breaking in is very important! I know someone who bought a beautiful new set of Buffets, and he caved into temptation and played them too much at first. They were ruined the next day, covered in cracks
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Author: HTW
Date: 2000-07-14 04:04
To me, I've always loved the Buffets and no excellent feature of the other brands has or can ever convinve me to part with the Buffet's unique tone and response. I'm just really comfortable in it and it feels good to play on. That's just my opinion though...not everyone is hooked on them
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Author: Joseph
Date: 2000-07-15 04:27
Thanks to all who responded!!(please keep writing )
On the subject of breaking in:Anyone have some insight into the task of oiling the bore of the horn? I'm in a super volitile climate and humidity can change 60% in 6-8 hours easily.I live in South Dakota,where we get 40* below zero in the winter and 100* in the summer.
Thanx,
+Joe+
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