 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike
Date: 2000-11-08 04:42
I am considering buying a Buffet Festival or R-13 clarinet. They both come in the newer Greenline models. I would appreciate any feedback from people who have tried the Greenline models in favor of conventional wood. Thanks.
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Author: brianp
Date: 2000-11-08 14:24
Mike,
There has been considerable and excellent discussion of this topic on the bb in the past. Try running a search and seeing what you get back. I'm sure folks will soon share their opinions here as well. Good luck.
Brian
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Author: Todd H.
Date: 2000-11-08 21:35
Mike, you really have to test play them. My son recently bought a greenline R-13 that he found to be more evenly tuned and that he thought "felt better" than the festival that he had previously thought was "the ultimate". Take your time finding a good one.
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Author: BAC
Date: 2000-11-09 14:31
Mike,
I tested a standard R-13, a greenline R-13, the Selmer Signature and the Lablanc Concerto. I found that the greenline R-13 to be more evenly tuned throughout the entire scale - if it was off it was off by a few cents. I next took the standard R13 and the greenline R13 to my teacher, and she was amazed at how nice the greenline was. Even if wood clarinets did not crack I would still have bought the greenline. So in a nut shell, it will not crack and it is evenly tuned throughout the entire scale - a no brainer for me.
I do have one complaint - the keys seem to be showing some wear, and the horn is less than one year old.
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Author: Kathy
Date: 2000-11-09 16:11
I had the same experience with key wear on my Greenline - which I've now had for about 3 years. Within 6 months, the nickel plating on the throat a-flat key had worn away at the contact point. I've seen other folks complain about this (on the Klarinet list), too. Francois Kloc of Buffet said there's nothing substandard about the plating, but with the large number of complaints I've seen about this, I dispute this claim.
After 3 years, I've gotten more visible wearing in other places contact points, like the rings. I'll probably have mine silver plated the first time I have it overhauled.
Other than that, I absolutely love my Greenline, and if/when I buy a Eb, it will also be a Greenline, assuming they are available. As a not-too-good amateur player, I'll probably never need an A clarinet, but they are already available.
Kathy
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeeszer
Date: 2000-11-10 16:04
Hello Mike,
I have had the chance to compare both Greenline and wood buffets at the buffet factory in Mantes la Ville France.
AND I was very impressed by the greenline...
The advantages of the greenline over a wood model :
- Big resistance to harsh climates and durability with years.
- all R13 greenline are pretty constant in terms of quality.... I have tried a couple of them and haven't seen massive differences as you can sometimes see with wooden clarinets (trying the same models of course).
- No it's not a plastic clarinet... greenline is as good as wood, and sometimes better.
- People say the tuning is better.... I don't believe it.
Disadvantage of greenline :
- You won't get a unique instrument as you sometimes find on wood.
But anyway... when buying an instrument... it's alwayz the same process... choose the model that suits you the best.. (ee. Buffet R13 or buffet festival)
Then try a selection of the same model (that means either R13 wood, R13 greenline, R13 prestige). When you are fixed with the one you want.... Get the dealer to adjust the springs and key heights.
- Personally I would not buy a greenline, because it's not an unique instrument.. I have been lucky to have found the rare ultimate RC which took me a year to find.. but with which I have fallen in love. Anyway...
Best wishes and good luck on finding THE baby
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