 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: klarenet
Date: 2008-02-19 02:51
With all the weather changes in the mid-West, my 30-something year old Buffet R-13 has developed a second crack, through a couple of the tone holes in the lower joint (first one was up by the register key). I am now toying with the idea of finding the money to do a serious upgrade (I bought this one used my freshman year of college).
I remember reading something here about somebody who handpicks Buffets and resells for a reasonable price. Alternatively, is there a good place to order a bunch brand new to choose from? I'd assume wwbw is pretty picked over by now. I'd like to get a nice horn that's going to last me for a while since I'll be doing auditions for graduate school next year.
I'd sure appreciate any advice you can give me! Thanks!
Karen
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-02-19 03:02
If you're still wanting an R13, perhaps consider a Greenline clarinet. I've got one myself and it plays like a dream. The material they're made of is supposed to resist cracking and it won't play as flat as it's wood counterpart (but alas, it still plays flat straight out of the case). The only thing with R13's these days is many (I'm guessing mostly high school musicians, as I have this problem as well) have had problems with the stock barrel that comes with it is too long and therefore quite flat. The stock barrel I believe is 66mm.
Either way, the Greenline clarinets are amazing. The only complaint I've heard is the Greenline material is heavier than wood.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2008-02-19 03:04
Lisa Argiris hand picks Buffets. I think her store is called Lisa's Clarinet Shop. Have you been humidifying the case? I've seen very few 30 year old clarinets crack.
Chris Hill
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: klarenet
Date: 2008-02-19 04:17
I don't have a fancy humidifier, but I do the orange peel thing, whether that helps or not. I have a double case for my B-flat and A, and the A has never had any problems.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-02-19 10:59
Klarenet,
You might search here or investigate personally the humistat product to stabilize the inside of the clarinet cases.
Another option in the same vein as Lisa Argiris is Walter Grabner, here are both of their websites:
Argiris
http://lisasclarinetshop.net/
Grabner
http://www.clarinetxpress.com/
I do not have the same specific pitch impressions of the R13 Greenline as BandieSF. I also do not personally own one, but I have helped students select them.
If you're auditioning for Grad school, what does your teacher suggest? If I wasn't so heavily installed in Buffet (and about to build a house) I would definitely be trying new horns!
Good luck,
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-02-20 01:51
Hi, I'm up in the North East and there's someone in Delaware that stocks a great many clarinets but that's not practical for you. Any place that has a large stock is a good place. The problem with someone else "picking out the clarinet" is that everyone does not voice the same and they probably use a different mouthpiece. I know many players that voice the throat tone lower then I do as an example. If they choose a clarinet for me I would have a problem with it. The problem isn't that the new buffets come with a 66m-barrel, many of us use 67mm, some us 65mm It depends on your mouthpiece and the way you voice. The reason so many of us change is because the standard Buffet barrels have a larger bore then many of the "custom" barrels on the market. The only way to pick a good clarinet is to try a whole bunch and not just Buffets, and try them with a tuner after you limit to three or four. Make sure they’re warmed up before you work the tuner. I have an old Buffet Bb, 40 years old, never a crack that I still use some times but bought a new Selmer Signature two years ago when trying out new Buffets, I tried the Selmer and fell in love with it. Don't limit yourself to just the Buffets, but they’re fine instruments and there are lots of them. The Greenline is a good horn but tends to be a bit brighter then the solid wood. You have to try them to know. Make sure you keep a Dampit in your case for humidity but there's no guarantee about cracking. Some clarinets will crack no matter what and some won't, none of mine ever did and I own two Bb, and A, Eb and Bass. Of course it's smart to take precautions. Good luck, ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-02-20 02:03
If you like the horn you currently have been using, why not ask to get a new joint from Buffet? If you have a tech give them the serial number of the horn, they can make a joint to the exact specifications that were in effect at the time the clarinet was originally made. Much cheaper than a new instrument, if you otherwise like the clarinet you are using.
If you want a new one, Walter Grabner is an excellent source. He hand picks clarinets to your wishes when he travels to Buffet in Jacksonville. He should be heading out again soon, as he is getting low on new instruments. One of the ones he no longer has is a lovely R13 in A with silver plated keys, which we got for our daughter around Christmas.  It has taken the place of an absolutely wretched Leblanc Symphonie III she borrowed from her high school.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jwiseman114
Date: 2008-02-20 13:48
I work at the Woodwind and Brasswind and we have a pretty good stock (about thirty of each). I wouldn't say the horns are necessarily picked over. There are a lot of new in the bunch at any given time (i.e. never played from factory). I do strongly suggest that you drive in for the day and play them yourself. R13s do tend to be inconsistent. We also keep them in a humidity room.
As far as your clarinet is concerned I would suggest that you don't give up on it. Cracks are very repairable, even when they go through tone holes. It is rare for an older clarinet to crack out of the blue. Most cracks happen in the first year of a horns life while the wood is still adjusting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-02-20 14:42
, Select one from the factory, at the factory, after trying all, but at least 20. Very few of any make and model, are of artist quality, and even those should be gone over by an expert technician.
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
