Author: kuteclar
Date: 2007-09-14 04:26
Well, if you've read the blurbs on the C12 online, then you know approximately where they fit into the scheme of things - supposedly right below the R13, above the E13 and C13. So, it's either a high intermediate (the highest Buffet intermediate) or a low professional model. I tend to feel it is a high intermediate, but a very good one at that.
Now, I might be repetitive with info I've found on this board, so I apologize. I believe it was only a couple hundred cheaper than the R13 throughout it's production, so it's very close. I have been told that it was the "band" version of Buffet...I thought this was a bit goofy, but it does have a very nice, stable, solid, tone. So when it's marked "Conservatoire" model, maybe that has gotten twisted.
I should blurb in here that my 1993 R13 has a bright, maybe I should say brilliant, ringing sound to it. It has cork pads on top, and maybe leather on the bottom - with some gortex to eliminate clunking noises.
Now, knowing that every instrument will sound different, I can give you what mine sounds like. The C12 has a robust, full sound; I feel that it lacks the "ring" that both my R13 and R13 Prestige give me. The tuning is very stable, but it tends to run a bit flat overall, even though it has a 66 barrel. Well, it looks 66 in a quick comparison to my R13 Moennig 66. The high notes are good - I have to say that my Prestige is gorgeous and clear on top! But for the $, the sound is really nice. The most I can say is that it lacks a bit of ring. I recently bought an E12 1983 for my cousin, and this instrument I would consider more mellow and a bit sweeter than anything I have - also lacking the ringing tones I have in the R13s, but still nice. The new E12 I recently tried out was shockingly good - it had the ring, but lacked some of the power. I would consider my C12 a great deal for the money, and would be a fantastic clarinet in high school or studying in college, but probably not enough if you will be a performance major.
The keywork feels very solid and springy, not like an intermediate instrument - but I did have about $225 done in repairs....and got some free corks put in the top tenon. So, it is not quite as springy, but I'm sure that's due to age, wear, and that I didn't have a complete overhaul done to put it in as tip top shape as my others. So, mine cost around $600-625 total, and I believe it was definitely worth it. I bought it originally to "save" my R13 from having to play in Park Band outside...although I've been using it for these sit down concerts for about 8 summers, with zero cracks or problems. I bought the C12 as a backup....along with a Vito V40....and my Yamaha 26. So, for $300, I would say it is completely worth it, even if you have to put $300 into repairs. If the WOOD is in great shape, most everything else can be repaired. Bends, pads, case. It depends where you're at in your playing - and where you want to go. If you're looking at E11s and C12, go for the C12! I had trouble with extremes in dynamics, developing musicality on it, and it was just not as nice a sound.
Overall, the wood grain is quite nice, but has a spot of "knots?" or um, swirlies? Very small, but I can see them if I look closely - so the wood quality probably didn't quite meet the R13 standards. It was Made in France, so the number should pop up the instrument's information in the Buffet website - which, now, makes me think that they are more of a low end professional, since the Buffet site only lists those instruments Made in France, and thus above the K (D, B) models. Hmmm.
I bought mine off E***. Yup. I figured as long as there were no cracks, I could it fixed up. They are quite tricky to find. I'm glad I got mine when I did! So at $300 - I'd grab it!! Also, though, find out how dry it is. You might have quite a long break in period, or re-humidifying period before it's truly playable without cracking possibilities. If it's been in use, there shouldn't be as many problems.
I can't imagine anyone above 8th grade having smaller hands than I have, and I find no problems on any of the Buffet Bb/A clarinets!
Since production stopped in 1992, the only place to buy them is...to get lucky. I'd guess the best bet is an auction, other than searching Craig's list or other used item sales. I bought mine earlier this summer, and was waiting to buy one for my cousin, and gave up not long ago because I saw one go through E*** and the wood looked pretty rough.
OK, I've mumbled for long enough. Did I answer anything? It's a nice horn.
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