 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2000-11-28 22:40
Just got home a couple hours ago w/ 3 brand new clarinets from the music store... a Selmer Omega, Yamaha 52, and a Buffet E-13. I'd like everybodys opinions on these if you wouldnt mind...
My first instinct is the Buffet. It has a darker tone to it, high notes speak easily, and it just sounds really nice. The Yamaha is a lot brighter, but the notes speak just as easily, and it sounds good too. The Selmer I eliminated after about 5 minutes of playing it, the notes don't speak for me well at all, and I just dont like the tone as well (one thing i noticed about the selmer - it's almost a brownish color.. definately not black when compared to the Yamaha and the Buffet.) So I'm definately leaning toward the Buffet, I love the tone, the price is right (on sale for $989), and i've heard *nothing* but good things about it... Everybody's opinions please???
thanx!
-Ashley-
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-11-28 23:32
This is my personal opinion, but I ALWAYS feel that you should go with your own instinct when buying an instrument. Different people have different embouchures, different mouthpieces, different resonant spaces in their heads, etc. and it all makes a difference. Chances are, if it feels good to you, it's the instrument you should play.
Having said that, I will caution you to check the particular instrument you have for tuning, especially from octave to octave. No instrument will be perfect, but if you know you tend to be sharp or flat on a particular note, and the instrument is also sharp or flat on that note, you'll endure lots of misery until you fix the problem. I've known lots of people who've struggled with tuning, only to discover that when they tried a different instrument, they were fine, and they've been nothing but frustrated with it.
So enjoy yourself! There's nothing more fun than getting a new instrument, I think...it always gives me a whole new inspiration to play. Hope all this helps!
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-11-29 00:03
Katherine has really said it well. The only thing that I would add is that most developing American players are "rewarded" for a dark tone. Think about that before you buy a horn that you describe as "a lot brighter".
NOTE: Other parts of the world do not necessarily share this value system.
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Author: mw
Date: 2000-11-29 01:12
Looking to the price --- $989 **IS** a sale price. Now, I don't know the exact amount that the catalogue stores are selling for but last I checked IMS & WW&BW were selling the E-11 for approx $600, and the E-12 I last priced at WW&BW about two years ago @ approx $900.
I have been told previously, & have also read, that the E-13 is made in Paris (the only "E" instrument made in Paris, as are all the Buffet pro models) and the other "E"'s & at least some of the "C"'s & the International are made in West Germany.
I have also inquired, & had confirmation, regarding the veracity of statement(s) that E-13's are R-13's where some component of the instrument has failed Buffet's standards for manufacture of the R-13 model. This "failure" can be as meaningless as a small blemish & speaks well of an instrument that can "befit a pro", with accompanying "student pricing".
While I believe my statements above to be true & correct, a phone call to Libertyville, IL & a request to speak with Francoise Kloc, or if Francoise is not available, Tom his most able assiatant --- can confirm my statements above ((I do not wish to mislead, but rather policies and sites of manufacture change from time to time)).
The Yamaha YCL-52 is, indeed, a lovely, quality intermediate instrument. However, for the price that the Buffet E-13 is being offered for, I think that the E-13 is a **BETTER VALUE** (e.g. a better resale value after use). This statement is te distinguishable from a statement that the E-13 is a better horn than the Yamaha YCL-52. This I canNOT say !
I am in full agreement that an important purchase such as this (does a more important one exist for a budding clarinetist???) should be accompanied by feelings that confirm that **YOU** are pleased & happy!
Best of luck,
mw
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-11-29 02:05
i checked the ww&b catalog and the price is 599 for teh buffet e 11. the cl52 you have to call.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-11-29 14:32
Ashley:
You fail to state your age, what you are planning to do after you graduate from high school (presuming this is where you are now), do you plan on majoring in music, etc. This will be important for you to consider as you purchase a new instrument. If you want it to play just for fun, perhaps through college and in a community band, etc., then keep this in mind. If you are planning some "seroous" playing (Professional, symphony, etc.) then this moight have some bearing on your choice. Should that be tyhe case get the best insgtrument hyou can affort, AND that fits YOUR playing style. Ialso tend to lean more toward that particular Buffet rather than that particular Selmer. The Yamaha does have a brighter sound, but is a lot of fun to play and it does respond well.
Good luck in your selection.
Bob Curtis
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Author: William
Date: 2000-11-29 14:44
Since I do not live in Florida, I can clearly cast my vote for (**X**) BUFFET!!!!! However, if you throw LeBlanc into the controversy, then I would have to claim "confusion" and demand that my vote be changed. It is really the courts of conductors and auditioners (and not the court of public opinion) that determines what the is "best" sounding clarinet. However, you should always pick the instrument that you will have the most pleasure in playing. Good luck in your choice and, as always, good clarineting.
( I hope this email reachs you by the Friday deadline so that my vote counts :>)
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Author: Ashley
Date: 2000-12-01 21:52
WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I didnt do it today, I did it yesterday. Wrote a check for $1043.40.But I now have my clarinet.. I got the Buffet, which turned out to not be an E-13... its an International (????). A little bit below the E-13, but still a very good horn. Anyway, my friend has had the same one for about a year and it plays wonderfully for both of us. Took it in today to get the Eb/Ab pad replaced cuz it sticked, but they just cleaned it so it didnt stick anymore (i'm pretty wary about that, I made sure that if it sticks again that they would replace it). Anyway I'm happy, unfortunately I've played so much within the last few days and especially today that i have no lip left. Practicing Bb clar for a while every day, jazz band for about 1 1/2 hours today (district jazz band contest is tomorrow, yipes), concert band for maybe a half hour, and 2 20 minute sectionals... so my lip is officially dead.
hrmm, i need to name my clarinet... my best friend suggested "Alpha" - as in, opposite of Omega (get it?!?) But I dunno.. all's i know is i got my clarinet and i'm very happy :o)
-Ashley-
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-02 03:29
Congratulations !!! Glad you got what you wanted.
By the way . . . I think the name Alpha is absolutely great.
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Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-02 04:25
((Just to note: the International is the model between the E-11 & the E-12 in Buffet's current lineup)).
Best of luck with your new horn!
mw
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