 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2000-11-24 16:36
My brother, an instrument repair tech, was given my uncle's old clarinet from my dad this year. Boy where we surprised to find out that it was a Buffet. My brother cleaned it up and we looked up the serial number. Boosey told us it was manufactured in 1936. Are these clarinets good, decent?
I compared it to my new R-13. It was a lot brighter sounding. The middle line B acts a little funny, but we can't figure out why.
Anyway, a couple of weird things... the barrell is about a good half centimeter shorter than the R-13. We compared the upper body joints, which appeared to be about the same. Measuring the lower joint, the R-13 was shorter than the old one. The bells are the same.
Total though, my clarinet is longer. Anyone know why? Would it be a high pitch horn?
Amanda Rose
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-24 17:57
There are many reasons for differences in sound between these Buffet models.
One is that if the instrument is dates to 1936, it is different from the R-13. (It is not an R-13). The Buffet R-13 model has a poly-cylindrical bore. Prior to the mid-1950's (& whatever serial numbered Buffet represents an R-13, or a variation thereof, etc) Buffet clarinets were manufactured to different specifications. I think older Buffet clarinets (particularly "pre-R13" models) are *beautiful*, so this is not a putdown by any means!
To call an instrument bright sounding can be somewhat subjective, it can depend on the player's setup at the time & other attributes, as well as what the definition of bright sound is. Much has been written about the latter, with no clearcut definition available that I have seen. Of course, its entirely possible, anything is. I hear many people say that the Buffet Festival has a brighter sound, than I hear arguments from many who own & disagree. :-)
Good luck.
mw
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-24 18:32
Amanda Rose wrote:
>
> My brother, an instrument repair tech, was given my
> uncle's old clarinet from my dad this year. Boy where we
> surprised to find out that it was a Buffet. My brother cleaned
> it up and we looked up the serial number. Boosey told us it
> was manufactured in 1936. Are these clarinets good, decent?
It should be a pretty decent instrument. Buffet has always been known for good clarinets. I believe Lelia, one of our regular posters, plays a Buffet of this vintage.
>
> I compared it to my new R-13. It was a lot brighter sounding.
> The middle line B acts a little funny, but we can't figure out
> why.
>
As mark w. has said, the design principles were different then. Also what mouthpiece are you using? This makes a difference too. As to middle line B acting funny, what do you mean?
> Anyway, a couple of weird things... the barrell is about a good
> half centimeter shorter than the R-13. We compared the upper
> body joints, which appeared to be about the same. Measuring
> the lower joint, the R-13 was shorter than the old one. The
> bells are the same.
>
> Total though, my clarinet is longer. Anyone know why? Would
> it be a high pitch horn?
If it is as late as 1936, it is very unlikely to be a high pitch horn. Plus it would most likely have been marked HP somewhere on the instrument if it were. However check it with a tuner. A high pitch horn would be around 50 cents off on the note you play. For example, play a concert Bb (C on the clarinet). It will register as either 50 cents sharp to the Bb or 50 cents flat to a C.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-11-24 23:02
I play a 1937 Buffet and love it! The barrel on mine is a tad short, too, but it plays to modern pitch. My clarinet has a wider bore than modern Buffets. If yours is also the wide bore model, then it would need to be slightly short by today's standards, because otherwise it would play flat with modern pitched (a=400) instruments. The most important factor in determining pitch is the length of the bore, but the diameter also has a (smaller) effect. I think these pre-R 13 Buffets are super clarinets. Mine has a big, mellow tone, with slightly less carrying power than a modern clarinet. For my music at home, I prefer the less-shrill quality of the old clarinet, since I don't need to compete with trumpets in a big concert hall.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-27 15:26
I have a 1938 Buffet with the same short(er) barrel. Lelia explains the situation well. I can only add that the tone is something truly special. I'm hooked. My R-13 1985) sounds rather shrill and uneven by comparison. ENJOY!!!
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