 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Courtney
Date: 1999-03-13 17:38
I am looking at purchasing a Buffet R-13, serial number 280177. According to this website, this clarinet would have been made in 1986. My band director tells me that R-13's made more recently--as in, since some point in the 80's--are not of the same high quality as R-13's made before. Is this true? And, if so, in which year did the R-13 come down in quality? I am looking for the best. Also, the owner of the instrument is charging $1300, which I feel is a little high. The clarinet appears to be in perfect condition and plays like a charm. Any advice on what it's worth and whether there's anything to what my director says would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Courtney
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Author: Courtney
Date: 1999-03-13 17:41
By the way, the clarinet comes with a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece and a Bonade inverted ligature. They are included in the $1300 price and might increase the overall value.
Courtney
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Author: Frank
Date: 1999-03-13 18:40
I play a Buffet made in the 90s. It is fine. However, each machine has to be tried and tested by the prospective player. The price seems a bit high - maybe $100-200 too high - especially if it is not silver-plated, but I will defer to others on this. You should have some one who is very experienced on these instruments look at it, if you have the chance.
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Author: Meredith
Date: 1999-03-13 21:12
I got my brand new Buffet R-13, silver plated, for $2000. It plays like a charm. I have played on an older buffet (my teacher's) but I don't know when it was made. Late 70's early 80's I would guess. I didn't notice any significant differences but I can't really compare b/c her's has been abused when she has loaned it out to other students. If I were her, I would not let students borrow my horn, especially those that she knows are not very responsible but that is just me.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 1999-03-13 23:06
How it plays is the test. Buffet has made gradual improvements over the years, but as far as I know there are people happily playing R13s from every year.
However, I think the price is much too high. You could almost buy a new one for that much. I wouldn't pay more than $1,000 for an instrument of that age. (I paid $800 for my son's 1983 model three years ago.)
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-03-14 05:38
I agree that the price is a little bit "up there." Just $300 more and you could get a new R13. But, if you're in love of the sound, you should bargain. Does the seller really know clarinets? Oh, a 5RV ($55) and a Bonade inverted ($15) shouldn't set you back $300 extra dollars on the horn! That's what I payed for them!
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-03-15 02:52
Actually, the average running price for a good R-13 from any year that's been used is around $1000 to $1100 (without silverplated keys)
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-03-15 07:29
That's why I'm saying that the horn in question should be worth a $1000, not $1300. I'm also saying that the new one would cost about $1600+. That's all :o)
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-03-15 19:25
Recent R-13's from the 1990s are reasonably well designed and assembled. Because Buffet uses computer controlled equipment, statistically speaking you will find that a 1990s era R-13 is better than a 1960s era horn. However, there are always exceptions.
The quoted price is too high for the proposed horn. IMHO
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Author: Raphael T. Bernard
Date: 1999-03-15 23:16
Anything that has as many manufacturing variables as a Clarinet is going to promote small differences in every horn. There is no way to make two wooden Clarinets EXACTLY the same, except with the replicators on "Star Trek". I'll bet there are 50's era "Intermediate" clarinets that will play better than some modern R-13 "Elites", and vice-versa. Out of every year, there are going to be good Clarinets, and there are going to be GREAT Clarinets, but you have to find them. The only thing you can do is go somewhere that you can surround yourself with 50 Clarinets, and play them ALL. There will be one in that bunch that will "sing" to you, and that will be the one that is meant for you.
Good Luck!
Raphael
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-03-16 00:05
Raphael T. Bernard wrote:
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The only thing you can do is go somewhere that you can surround yourself with 50 Clarinets, and play them ALL. There will be one in that bunch that will "sing" to you, and that will be the one that is meant for you.
Oh have I wished for that day! <sigh>
-Albert
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Author: Raphael T. Bernard
Date: 1999-03-16 00:18
Me too! I live in the SC outback! I've never seen more than 20 Buffets at one time, and they were all attached to All-State Clarinetists. The only person I know that did this is:
Terry wrote: (http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=2530)
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"In 1969 or 1970 I had a chance to play a shipment of clarinets. 25 R-13s and 25 Evettes. After 3 hours I was down to two horns which I could not tell apart, one Evette and one R-13. I bought the wood Evette. It didn't have as good of finish as the R-13 but man could it play! I have had several guys try to buy it from me over the years (one even calls it "the gold standard") but I wouldn't part with it." "Oh, yes value? I got that Evette new for $250. I'm ashamed to say what the R-13 cost."
Oh have I wished for that day!
-Raphael
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Author: Terry
Date: 1999-03-16 14:52
I pick up that newly re-padded 50's R-13 tomorrow. Even if it doesn't play wonderfully I just may use it to entice my daughter to return my Evette!
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