 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-29 15:29
I am a junior in high school and play in our band. I have a Buffet Evette clarinet that my mom had when she was in school years ago. A couple of weeks ago while in a parade, the bottom half came off and I had to send it in to be repaired. They told me it would cost $300 to fix but they couldn't guarantee it would last any time at all. I am now looking for another clarinet and don't know what I should be looking for. Can you please advise me which direction I should go? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Post Edited (2009-08-29 15:47)
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Author: catkeel
Date: 2009-08-29 19:13
Hi Lazygr....There are three websites that offer reconditioned or overhauled clarinets for much less than the repair cost of your instrment . They also come with a inspection period and guarantee. They are frannytoo , clarinet closet and clarinuts. They have a wide variety of brands to chose from. This is for your information only as I have no interest whatsoever in these companies.
Bob
Post Edited (2009-08-29 19:14)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-08-29 19:55
How much longer do you view yourself playing clarinet? Initially, by your description of marching in a parade, I'm assuming that you will playing the same clarinet for both indoor and outdoor performances and in what might be some rough conditions? If so, I've read great things on this bulletin board about a clarinet called the "Forte" sold by "Doctor's Products". It's more than the $300 cost of repairing, but apparantly is pretty good and if you are planning on playing into college as well, perhaps including a "prep band" type scenario, might be worth getting.
Otherwise, there are lots of clarinets that would fit the bill, and you can find them used on here or other sites. Give us some more details about your budget, expected use, stuff like that.
Alexi
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-30 03:42
Thank you all for your advice. My band teacher and I will work something out about a plastic loaner during the marching band season. Other than during the marching season, I want a really good clarinet. I think the Buffet R13 would be the one im leaning toward right now, after a FULL DAY of research. I've heard the R13 is a professional clarinet, and thats a step up from what I had (or maybe a few), which would be great. Budget-wise, probably around $600 would be great, even though as of right now i cant afford it. Obviously, it would have to be used. Have any of you heard anything bad about the R13?? If so, what??
One more thing, is it true that if Im looking at a picture of a clarinet, all the corks will be the same, lighter color if they're new??
And do you think Im asking too much by asking for a $600 Buffet R13 clarinet??
Post Edited (2009-08-30 04:08)
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2009-08-30 05:05
I would not get your hopes up for an R13 in any kind of playing condition for $600. Unfortunately to get an R13 that is of a decent quality, you will most likely need to spend somewhere in the range of $1000-$1200.
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Author: CWH
Date: 2009-08-30 12:36
I recently had a Leblanc Bliss shown to me by a very well known player and owner of a musical service Co. here in NY and to say I was impressed is an understatement. I’m considering purchasing one myself for outdoor activities.
Here is a link to read more:
http://www.leblancclarinets.com/product.php?uid=21
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-30 16:36
Thank you all again. I figured it would be too much to ask for, which is fine. I got along well with my Buffet Evette, and I know that isnt the equivalent to the R13, although I'm not exactly sure what it IS the equivalent to. So I was wondering what the equivalent to it would be. Also, what does the Leblanc Bliss compare to Buffet-wise. I don't know anything about Leblancs, and very little on Buffets. Mine was handed to me and I just went with it.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2009-08-30 16:50
For a plastic clarinet for outdoors I thiink you can't beat a Vito for the money. Can find them all the time on the auction site.
For an intermediate clarinet Ihave a Buffet E11 which you can find onlne use for probaby about what you want to pay. I like it very much. Nice tone and key action.
Leonard
Post Edited (2009-08-30 16:50)
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-30 20:53
Alright, I think I've decided to save my money and just get a brand new clarinet, because buying them used can be a risk of false advertisement and such, and I don't want to spend a pretty large portion of money to get something that doesnt even work right. I believe that the Buffet Evette was the equivalent to today's E11 about 48 years ago, or however long it was. I don't see myself playing professionally in the future, so would a brand new Buffet E13 be a good choice for me?? Is it a step up from the E11?? It would be a lot mor affordable than a new R13, and if it is a step up from the E11, thats good too. (disregaurd the budget of $600 when answering this), I just want a quality clarinet that I can keep in good condition and maybe pass down too, because my mom's clarinet worked quite well for me. And I'd be a lot less uptight about letting a new player use an R13 than an E13, since at least on eBay theyre going for half the price.
Post Edited (2009-08-30 21:18)
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2009-08-30 22:38
Another alternative is the Ridenour Lyrique. About equal in price to the E11 last time I checked, but considered by many to be a far superior instrument. www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com if you're interested in checking them out.
JW
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-08-30 23:14
And you'd be able to use a Lyrique for marching, too, because they're hard rubber. But alot of people I've talked to who've played them say they're as good as an R13 or better, so one of those could be a very good idea.
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Author: ClarinetPlayer_18
Date: 2009-08-30 23:25
Hello, I'm 18 and I just graduated highschool, just fyi.
For marching, definitely just find any old thing you can that is plastic and plays your full range. In my marching experience, the clarinets were always flat from the cold and the rain and no one could hear us anyways.
As for nice clarinets, you could buy another cheaper student model but if you are going to play for a while i advise getting a nice one. It is definitely worth the money.
My sophomore year I got my first clarinet made of wood. It was a Buffet E-11 and it's sitting in my lap right now haha. It cost me around 1,100 to 1,200 dollars but is nice. It is an intermediate model though. If you want a professional model an R-13 is definitely a good standard. Since clarinets are relatively cheap you can usually ask your local music store to order a good selection an then even come in and try them out before you buy. R-13s run about 3,100 in my area. For myself, I plan to buy an R-13 B-flat and an R-13 A clarinet. I plan to take it further so I'm getting some professional model instruments.
If you only want to play in highschool however, the Buffet E-11 would do very nicely. I've always been 1st chair in my school on my E-11 even when other players had R-13s. It's all about the player and since I was the only one who ever practiced regularly (or at all) I did just fine on my E-11.
In summary:
student model >> E-11 (intermediate model) >> R-13 (professional)
The Buffet brand E-11 and R-13 are excellent even if you don't know a lot about instruments. They are very standard and there is a reason they sell so many. Hope this helps
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-08-31 00:07
or less than the cost of a new E11, the Ridenour Lyrique 576 BC is a far better instrument. A new one is under $1000 by a little, including a nice mouthpiece. For his same setup with his best level mouthppiece, you spend $1065. All prices are plus $20 shipping. Also, you are purchasing direct from the man wqho designed the instruments, and is one of the world's experts on how to make a good clarinet. I own one, and it's a HUGE step up from an Evette! It compares very favorably to a classic R13 from the "Golden era." The intonation on my instrument is excellent. Very nice tone, too. I get a large number of compliments, and when they fiund out I got the instrument for a little over $850 on sale a year ago, I can hear people's jaws hitting the floor.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
Jeff
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Author: xingfan1227
Date: 2009-08-31 01:16
If you want to get something new and about $1000, definitely get Ridenour Lyrique (576)!!
Like everyone else said, this is much much better than E11. Mr. Ridenour designed it very well, and have solved many acoustic problems that other (even pro model) clarinet have. Plus Mr. Ridenour will hand tune the clarinet for you, which makes it even better.
It's hard rubber and you can play it outside, too. Type Ridenour clarinet on google and find his website, then read all his articles.
You probably want to get a wood clarinet so bad, but really, like Mr. Ridenour said.. wood is not necessarily better than hard rubber.. otherwise we will all be playing wood mouthpiece now.
Anyways, I'm saying all these because I have a Ridenour Lyrique 576, as well as an R13 greenline I used to play. The Ridenour is better the R13 in almost every aspect (more in tune, much easier to play and control, fuller sound in the upper register), except the lower notes don't sound as strong as the R13. I definitely prefer the Ridenour over my R13. And, I've played quite some R13's, and the one I have is one of the better ones.
Good luck!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-08-31 01:17
Hi lazy-----, I'm late jumping into this fray. BUT from your first post, I'd recommend finding another repairman, instsructing him/her "make it playable" at a reasonable $100 +/- . Evettes are an "intermediate" cl, generally quite astisfactory for an advancing students needs. Of course if you wish for , and can afford a new cl, the advice above is comprehensive. All too often an inexperienced student can be rushed off from a cl which, if repaired , is satisfactory for at least several years. I try to help locals , where some are hard-pressed financially, to get playable used insts, at low cost. Best of luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-08-31 01:41
ClarinetPlayer_18 wrote:
> If you want a professional model an R-13 is definitely a
> good standard. Since clarinets are relatively cheap
> you can usually ask your local music store to order
> a good selection an then even come in and try
> them out before you buy.
Have YOU ever tried that?
Most small music stores operate on very small inventory, keep very few instruments in stock and sell only a handful of professional level clarinets each year.
Go to a small music store, ask them to order 6 or 8 Buffet R13's for you to try and let us know what happens ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
...GBK
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Author: justme
Date: 2009-08-31 01:57
Besides the Ridenour Lyrique 576 being very playable and in tune, you won't have to worry about it cracking and going a lot out of tune due to humidity.
Another thing, You also won't have to go to a music store and try out 6 or 8, or any number of instruments trying to find one that's the most playable and in tune because it will be consistant and playable being rubber...
Just Me
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-31 04:15
Alright... well... I read about the Lyrique with my mom... and I was really interested, but she said since it was made by Ridenour, pretty much the most famous clarinet maker in the world it would be to expensive, so I never even tried to look into it.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
I am at this webiste right now. Down near the bottom, there is something that says "Prices effective as of March 1, 2008" and followed by 3 *s
Does the least expensive of the 3 come with a mouthpiece do you think?? It seems pretty obvious that it would, I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting first, so please go there and tell me what you think.
I know this seems very silly, but i bought a brand new saxophone off of Ebay, and it didnt come with a mouthpiece... and I wasnt very happy.
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2009-08-31 13:47
The $960 price for the Lyrique does not come with a mouthpiece. I actually like that Mr. Ridenour offers an option without a mouthpiece; most of us already have a mouthpiece that we prefer and wouldn't want to pay for another one that we won't use.
I can't say a lot about the mouthpieces that Mr. Ridenour makes, except that greatly I prefer my Grabner K-13 to the one that came with the Lyrique. If you're an advancing student who wants a good mouthpiece without having to pay a great deal, it's hard to go wrong with Vandoren. They really are quite consistent, and can be had for about $75. It's hard to tell without knowing what you sound like or what your current mouthpiece/reed setup is, but I bet a Vandoren 5-RV or M-13 would be a good fit for you with the Lyrique. There are many online music stores that sell these mouthpieces.
You'd come out paying a little over $1000 for the Lyrique and either of those mouthpieces, but I think you'd have a very superior setup that you would be happy with for many years.
JW
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-31 21:00
Now my band instructor is questoining the Lyrique. Hes got a lot of people researching for me as wel as I am because I really want to get the right one. He would prefer me get a wood one, and work something out for Marching season. Mostly, hes worried about me spending my money on something that isnt as good as it seems, and I dont have a good mouthpeice, so that option just causes more problems with research on them... so I think I will stick to wood. If you cant tell, Im very indecisive. Its actually quite sad how mant times I change my mind in a day... :P
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-08-31 21:02
OH MY GODNESS!!!! I CAN'T DECIDE AT ALL!!! NOW I WANT THE LYRIQUE... AND I POSTED THAT LIKE 2 SECONDS AGO!!! ugh
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Author: xingfan1227
Date: 2009-08-31 21:19
A lot of people don't know about the Ridenour clarinet. Your band instructor is probably one of them Also I assume that he's not a clarinet player and you have to know that a lot of people on this board are professional clarinet players (though I'm not one of them), so that tells you who you should listen to I can almost assure you that your band instructor will be happy with the Ridenour once you get it.
By the way, if you get the Ridenour clarinet that comes with a mouthpiece, there is no ligature. You can probably talk to Mr. Ridenour and ask for one. This is usually not a problem too most of us because we all have some types of custom ligatures.
The Ridenour mouthpiece is a pretty good mouthpiece so adding $60 is a very very good buy for such a hand finished one. However, I think it is designed for people with a correct embouchure (i.e. no biting). If you bite a lot, you will have to correct it on his mouthpiece. And it is a good idea anyways.
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Author: soybean
Date: 2009-08-31 22:06
For what it's worth, i owned the student model Lyrique and it was pretty good, but not as good as Yamaha's student ycl-250. I would see about playing the Bliss first, or just getting your Evette fixed up. It shouldn't cost more than $100 as someone here said.
Yamaha and LeBlanc make excellent clarinets and are easier to re-sell than the smaller companies instruments. Buffet is the standard for many pros but not neccesarily better than other pro clarinets. many players prefer the intonation on LeBlanc and Yamaha.
~Dan
(Leblanc Bliss, Buffet R13 key of A, Yamaha 250 Bb)
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Author: justme
Date: 2009-09-01 00:46
I would prefer the RCP 576BC, professional clarinet, not the Lyrique 146.
The RCP 576BC does cost more, but I think it's well worth it.
For $995 you get 2 barrrels and a hand finished mouthpiece.
For $1065 you get his Professional hand finished mouthpiece along with the two barrels.
Add shipping to both items.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Bbclarpg.html
Why would you want a wooden clarinet for marching?
With the RCP 576BC, you'll have a great clarinet that won't crack and plays very easily and in tune...
Just go to the comments page and check out the people that have bought the RCP 576BC, you'll find many pros, including Welsh National Opera Principal Clarinetist, Leslie Craven.
Just Me
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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Author: justme
Date: 2009-09-01 01:48
Another thing you could do is just get the RCP 576BC for $960 (without the mouthpiece) and get a forbes debut mouthpiece if the pro mouthpieces might be a bit much for you right now.
You can get a forbes debut mouthpiece for like $30-40 from any of the major music stores online and it's pretty much a safe bet and is usually a lot better than the stock mouthpieces that you get with a clarinet.
Just Me
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2009-09-01 02:41
It is true that a lot of people have not heard of the Ridenour clarinet. A great many band directors assume that wooden clarinets automatically sound better, which in and of itself is not necessarily true. Well-designed clarinets sound better. Most manufacturers make their best designed clarinets out of wood. The Lyrique happens to be a very well-designed clarinet made out of hard rubber.
By the way, I'm not a professional clarinetist, but I am a conservatory graduate (clarinet major) and music instructor. I actually sold my wooden clarinet after getting a Lyrique. That is just my own humble experience, however :-)
JW
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-09-01 02:59
Just to clear things up, I've been talking about the Ridenout Lyrique 576. I'm not looking for a student model... It is quite unfortunate that it doesnt come with a mouthpeice though... My band director told his freind my probelm, who then told his friend who has been playing the clarinet for 40+ years. So ill see if he can persuade my teacher into "believing in it" a little more.
If I dont end up with the Lyrique, I want a Buffet, but I dont want to spend $3000+ on an R13, so as I've said, what are your thoughts on the E13, but Im keeping the Lyrique as my number one choice right now, but to be honest, it sounds too good to be true. Is there anything bad about the Lyrique?? or is it actually as amazing as it seems??
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2009-09-01 12:08
The Lyrique comes with a mouthpiece if you want it to; saying it doesn't come with one is a bit inaccurate.
I don't find there to be anything wrong with the instrument. The worst problem seems to be the attitude of others who are unfamiliar with the instrument, which you seem to already be encountering. There is an attitude among many clarinetists that there is only one good brand of clarinet (I'm sure you can figure out which brand), and all others are inferior. Many ignore the fact that Yamaha, Selmer, Leblanc, Ridenour, and others also make outstanding instruments.
In defense of your band director, it is more and more commonplace these days that a student shows up to class with a new instrument of unfamiliar brand, questionable origins, and poor workmanship. He/she has probably experienced this several times, and doesn't want to see you unknowingly get a really bad instrument. Rest assured, the Lyrique does not fall into this category.
If you really think that the Lyrique might be the best for you, I suggest you read Mr. Ridenour's trial policy, order one, try it out, and send it back if you don't like it. You can always get another brand if you try it and don't like it.
JW
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2009-09-01 13:44
You asked about the E13. They're decent instruments--I helped a friend select one many years ago, and it was a nice instrument--but for some reason, Buffet does not sell them in the U.S. I asked a Buffet representative about this about a year ago, and I didn't really get a straight answer. I don't know the whole story, but Buffet may have discontinued them.
Just how badly damaged is the lower joint of the Evette? Did the clarinet actually break in the middle? If it did, I would consider getting a new clarinet. If it didn't, it's possible that the problem could be repaired for less than $300. I might get another opinion. Here's something else to consider: Just how strong was the connection in the middle before the lower section fell off? Some older clarinets are a little wobbly in the middle (even when the cork is good), and sometimes you can see where a little wood has worn away on the upper joint (just above where the two parts go together). If the connection in the middle is solid (you might want to ask a professional) I might try to fix up the instrument. If it isn't, it might be wise to look for something else.
If your existing clarinet can be repaired, you might want to look for a new barrel and/or mouthpiece. There have been a lot of good barrel discussions on this board in the past. A new barrel can really improve the sound on some older instruments. I'm not saying it will work for you, but it did work for me. I'm using a Fobes barrel which I really like, although they are a little pricey.
I get the impression that you're not planning on majoring in music. Is this correct? It sounds like the Lyrique or the Leblanc Bliss might be great options for you, especially if you're on a limited budget. If your band director is opposed to the Lyrique, ask him to check out Sherman Friedland's web site: http://clarinetcorner.wordpress.com/. Friedland really knows the clarinet from a lifetime of playing in symphony orchestras and teaching on the college level,
and he is very enthusiastic about the Lyrique.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-01 19:28
If you go to the Ridenour website, to the page I gave you earlier, you will see that there are three options for buyers:
The first includes NO mouthpiece.
The second includes an intermediate-level mouthpiece.
The third includes a pro-level mouthpiece.
Two of the three options include mouthpieces. You need to read the pages more carefully.
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-09-01 21:12
I can still buy a brand new E13 off of Ebay... and I emailed Mr Ridenour and asked him a few questions about the lyrique. I only asked about mouthpeices because the first option didnt say anything about one, but I assumed it would have one, but obviously I was wrong.
My mom called to find out exactly what was wrong with my clarinet. Apparently, the $300 was for adjusting the lower keys, and fixing some minor cracks (and they must've been pretty darn minor because I never knew they were there, and I looked at it everyday) and a major crack that happened when I dropped it. Then one pad on it was bad, so they decided that I needed to replace them all.... ??? I dont know why, they werent all bad. But anyways, I asked them to subtract the pads, and It was down to about $250 but they still said even after I pay for it, the crack probably won't hold up for long... and I like the idea of getting a new clarinet, no matter how attatched I was to my Evette.
Post Edited (2009-09-01 21:22)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-09-01 22:35
FWIW, in my opinion, the offer is quite clear and you are absolutely correct in saying that the Lyrique does not come with a mouthpiece. It comes with a(n implied) coupon good for a significant discount on a Ridenour mouthpiece, if you wish to purchase one at the time you purchase the clarinet but, if you don't pay the extra price, you don't get a mouthpiece. (But, also, FWIW, most people who have gotten one will tell you that the mouthpieces that come with new Buffet clarinets are pretty much worthless.)
If you are inclined to drop your clarinet, keep in mind that, when dropped onto a hard surface, any clarinet is likely to suffer damage but hard rubber may very well shatter, especially if it's cold -- just ask anyone who's dropped their Kaspar mouthpiece onto a concrete bandstand.
jnk
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-01 23:35
I dunno, Jack.... the mouthpiece that came with my R13 in 1973 was great....... for use on my Bundy in marching band!
Jeff
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2009-09-02 01:01
I gave my Buffet mouthpiece away as an emergency replacement to a marching band student who had chipped his unmarked, calcium-encrusted mouthpiece. The Buffet mouthpiece was marginally better.
:-)
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-09-02 11:53
I dont normally drop my clarinet. It needed new cork really badly, but I didn't have enough money for it plus replacing some of the pads, and It just fell off. It's not likely I will drop a new one, but the shattering part is a good point for if I actually do. I will be in the cold, but I may see if I can use a loaner, plastic clarinet for marching band. And my Buffet mouthpeice works quite well
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-09-02 12:39
If your Evette was truly from the 1960's, it had a much better mouthpiece or, at least, mouthpiece blank, than current models do. For many years, Buffet supplied Chedeville mouthpieces with their clarinets. On the professional model, purchasers had a choice among several different facings. On the Evette & Schaeffer (E13) and wooden Evette (E10 [that was the actual designation, though it is the predecessor to the E11]), they may have been blanks that came with whatever facing Chedeville put on "unfaced" blanks. Some people find that these mouthpieces work just fine. If not, they are good rubber for refacing.
Standard cost for a tenon cork replacement was around $12-$15 the last time I checked. An ounce of prevention ...
jnk
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Author: lazygrl10101
Date: 2009-09-03 16:10
well... i needed a new one anyways... so I suppose it doesn't really matter now
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