The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-05-12 22:49
One of my students, a precocious 12 year old, is, thanks to the generosity of her grandpapa, who was bowled over by her playing, in the market for a move-up clarinet. She has recently been playing on a borrowed E11, which fits her needs very nicely, with the addition of an R13 barrel, borrowed from me. Inquiry at a local emporium discloses that she can have an E12 for only about $150 more than an E11 (they claim to have 40 E12's in stock)! Although I've taught numerous students with E11's, I have absolutely no experience with the E12. Hence these questions.
1. Does the E12 come with a standard length barrel that allows it tune at c.A=440 without resorting to an aftermarket barrel?
2. Is the fit and finish of the E12 enough better that that of the E11 to make the bump-up price worthwhile?
3. When they finally move up to an R13 or equivalent, would the E12 command better resale value than an E11?
Thanks in advance for the expertise I know I'll find here.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-05-12 23:34
At age 12 and playing a E11 that gramps likes......gramps should , rather, make a donation to her college fund ......much more productive.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-05-12 23:34
The barrel of the E12 is 64.5mm, the same as the E11.
To the naked eye the E11 and E12 are twins. No external differences. The only differences (claimed by Buffet) are that the E12 is made of "selected" grenadilla wood (rather than just grenadilla wood).
The bore of the E12 (14.65mm, the same as the E11) is said, by Buffet, to be "more sophisticated"
No idea what that means... GBK
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-05-12 23:42
"No idea what that means..."
In this case it means about $150.
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."
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-05-13 02:44
i've had, i think 2 students on e12's.
i couldn't tell a difference over the e11's -
so my opinion is that Jeff is correct - the difference is about $150.
buy the e11, save the $150 for reeds; or talk gramps into a R13 now, and avoid a future upgrade
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-05-13 08:42
So, is the E12 painted black like the E11, or stained to look a bit more like stained natural grenadilla like an E13, or left unstained and polished like a Prestige?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2008-05-13 16:01
Perhaps consider the Ridenour Lyrique Pro. Costs the same as an E11, but plays as well (or better, in some respects) than an R13. Check out the website at www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com
J. Wilson
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-05-13 16:14
I would question the RH setup of the E12 as I remember it being a bigger hand spread for the bottom stack. Similar to the R13 which the E11 is tighter than.
I would advise comparing them side by side and are if they are identical.
The buffet site description doesn't actually say that they keys are interchangeable.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-05-13 16:35
I certainly wouldn't recommend a 12 year old be given an R-13 at this time. Stick to the E-11. When she's in high school and still serious about playing (in college), that's when Gramps should consider the R-13. The E-11 will still have a good resale value (perhaps the teacher could facilitate a sale for her to another student).
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Author: D
Date: 2008-05-13 20:14
If you have access to a store with lots of second hand stock and a good repair record then a blind test of a variety of instruments in the price range, both used and new, could be helpful. I happened to be in a store at the weekend where this happened. Child couldn't actually tell the difference between two instruments which were both better than what he had, but one was double the price of the other. He could hear the difference when his teacher played them, but couldn't make a difference himself. Therefore you can guess which one his mum bought!
Seriously though, if you are worried about resale, a second hand instrument with money in hand for a good service might be the answer. I agree that it is daft giving a student that age something expensive to take into school. The other students can't be trusted with other kids stuff at that age.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-05-14 15:18
Thanks to all for your valuable input. I forwarded the thread to this student's mother; I am sure she, too, is grateful for your expertise.
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