 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rob v.
Date: 2008-04-23 13:44
Recently, I had the opportunity to purchase three brand new bass clarinets for my school band program.
I purchased
(1) Buffet Prestige 1193
(2) Buffet 1180-2-0
Did I make a wise decision on my purchase, compared to selmer's and leblanc's?
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Author: William
Date: 2008-04-23 16:49
You purchased wisely--the newer Buffets are wonderful clarinets.
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Author: Jkelly32562
Date: 2008-04-23 22:26
I would say you are lucky and have made a great choice. Most schools in my area use resonite basses because of money. I own an 1180-2, and I love it but I would reccommend some clear finger nail polish over the screw heads, I have to adjust mine weekly, the seem just to work themselves out. (Generally it is the top pad on the lower joint, the b natural to b flat and f natural to f sharp.) Wonderful Horns!
Jonathan Kelly
jkelly32562@troy.edu
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-04-24 02:22
Did you specifically need 3, or was that just a rough amount? My school got two Selmer 67's, for probably about the same price, but you know what you need better than I do.
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Author: rob v.
Date: 2008-04-24 14:48
I purchased the (2) 1180's becuase I felt they were the best for the price range (aprox $5,000). My head director said spend 6 more grand, so I thought the 1193 was the best for the price range/overall. Personally, I've never really looked outside buffet.
But recently we had a clinician saying that we should purchase leblanc bass-clarinets for projection and intonation.
I just hope im not going to regret my decision purchasing these instruments.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-04-24 14:57
Re the need for frequent adjustment, I was told when I bought my 1193-2 in Des Plaines, IL that keeping it in top working order would be a "constant nightmare" (Lisa A, the store owner). However, my bass--which gets moderate use--has gone for almost three years now without a trip to my local repairperson. Maybe it the lack of constant, everyday use, that I take good care of it and am ultra calreful during assembly/disassembly, or that I am just plain lucky to own a "good one". Whatever & FWIW, I just wanted to report that my Buffet low C Prestige is relatively hassel-free regarding keys going out of sync. Recommendation: simply handel your's with care, swab it (& the neck) every time and enjoy.
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2008-04-24 15:08
I've played two low-C Leblancs (one 9 years old and the other 5 years old). In my opinion the 9-year old one is far better, but they both have intonation problems as well as needing frequent adjustment.
I have limited experience with the Buffets, but what experience I've had has been very positive. When I can afford my own I plan to buy a low-C Buffet.
Steve
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-24 15:19
I've never had any regulation issues with my low C Buffet bass after having spent time setting it up myself, and it's a pretty sturdy bass - though as with all basses, it does need meticulous attention paid to it during assembly and dismantling to prevent anything getting bent.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2008-04-24 16:00
I consider the 1180s to be garbage. The register key is on the body instead of the neck, so it gets a terrible tone on high notes. $5,000 for a beginner instrument is a serious waste of money. But you're not alone - many of the band directors in the area where I teach have also sunk thousands of dollars into these high priced beginner instruments, thinking that somehow a Buffet label makes cheap instruments with bad register key placement immune to the laws of physics.
Better would have been to buy two 1193s. And if you need another horn or two, pick up some used Bundys for a few hundred dollars apiece on Ebay - they play just as well as the 1180s for 1/10 the price.
As for Buffet vs. Selmer - the 1193s and Selmer 67s are both incredible basses - the best I've ever played. I slightly prefer the Selmers, but it's a push. Professionally, I only have played Buffet and Selmer basses - all others are a pretty big step down, including LeBlanc (this is not true of LeBlanc soprano clarinets, which are quite good).
Post Edited (2008-04-24 16:03)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-04-24 16:37
They are better than many out there. The 1180 I had the opportunity to play a few years back was uneven and badly out of tune. You may have better luck.
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Author: rob v.
Date: 2008-04-24 18:09
I had to choose from the following
Selmer 65 (Aprox $5,800)
Selmer? BBC1430 (not sure if this is selmer) (aprox $2,100)
Buffet 1180-2-0 (Aprox $2,100)
1183-2-0 (aprox $5,800)
1193-2-0 (Aprox 6,000)
These instruments were the only ones listed on our School District Bid List.
I purchased (2) 1180's because we needed quantity rather than quality. And purchased (1) 1193 for quality.
Out of what was to choose from. Were these good choices?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-04-24 18:36
Hello Rob,
I own the 1193 as many above. Regardless of many anecdotal experiences I can give I think you need to allay your fears.
You made the decision. Those above love the 1193 (& the Selmer 65), and there are some stated concerns above about the 1180's. BTW...did you buy 1180's or 1183's? For some there will be a difference.
In student hands any of these instruments are going to need attention throughout their lifespans. Just don't put the 1193 in the hands of anyone who can't be trusted (regardless of their ability!).
All clarinets have issues! Your concern is admirable, but I don't think you wasted your school systems' money.
I would advise you check how much latitude the joints have to move within the case. I had to add a small wooden piece to keep my 1193 from moving too much when in motion.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: William
Date: 2008-04-24 18:47
When I was picking out my Buffet1193-2, I was give an 1180 "just to try". Even though it had been "Bannenized", it played quite badly--tone quality and response, particularly in the upper register. Really, not any better than the Bundy Resonite bass that I was playing at that time. All seven of the 1193's that I tried were infinitly better than the 1180, which at that time, I thought was just one bad one. No that I hear from others regarding the Buffet 1180s, I just thought I would share my brief experiance FWI W.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-04-24 19:32
The models 1183 and 1193 from Buffet and the models 65 and 67 from Selmer are all excellent. No difference other than low Eb or low C.
The Buffet 1180 is ok but not great. I've only tried one a long time ago so I don't really remember very good. Sounds like you got especially good price for them.
For a "student" model bass clarinet I hear the Yamaha 221 is very good. I think it's about $1,700 and many good bass clarinetists told me it's a good instrument. I am supposed to try it in a couple of weeks to check it for a friend so I'll finally find out myself.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-24 21:18
Also consider the Jupiter bass which comes in at less than the cost of the Yamaha 221 - I think it may be based on the same design.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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