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 Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: moolatte 
Date:   2009-12-29 04:26

Due to the fact that I'll never be able to afford my own R13 (Even an E11 seems like it won't happen), is a B12 good instrument to perform on? How you guys can, I'll never know. Unrelated story, but my lesson teacher said she got a 1950s R13 for $200. Though there were cracks in it, which she got fixed and she says it played well.

I'm borrowing an R13 for area auditions, and I love it. But I'd like to not be such a leech and own my own half-decent instrument.

If that's all too complicated to comprehend, my question is: Does a B12 give a nice sound, better than an old Normandy 4 would?



Post Edited (2009-12-29 04:32)

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: JJAlbrecht 
Date:   2009-12-29 11:54

Not really. I have worked with students playing B12 horns They were decent for a beginner plastic instrument, but I would think your Normandy is probably better. Best way to tell is go to a music store and tyy one out.

Look at the Ridenour. You won't regret it.

Jeff

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2009-12-29 13:09

IMO the B12 is overpriced. My old Vito 7820 (VSP France) would run circles around a B12, at a fraction of the cost. So would probably a Normandy.

Don't forget - it's the player, not the instrument...

--
Ben

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: BobD 
Date:   2009-12-29 14:10

After I acquired my first R13 I thought that a B12 would be a good back up instrument....based on how good the R13 was.....so I bought one. Guess what...it wasn't up to my expectations of what a Buffet instrument should be. I sold it. In my opinion....if you can't afford an R13 have your Normandy serviced properly.

Bob Draznik

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: Bluesparkle 
Date:   2009-12-29 18:52

A used B12 is what I got my son when he was a beginner in 6th grade. It has served him well through middle school, and now two years of marching band, but it is not his concert instrument. If you like Buffet clarinets and would settle for an E-11 if it were affordable, then you might want to look at the C-13 (also called the International) Buffet model. It may be a pretty good compromise, and you can find these in good used condition, although it's not an R-13.

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: GBK 
Date:   2009-12-29 19:04

I've always thought that Buffet should be a bit ashamed for the quality of the B12. It's a flimsy, cheap intrument with very soft keywork, poor tenon corks and rarely plays adequately out of the box.

...GBK

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: samohan245 
Date:   2009-12-29 21:49

yes, ive played on one a few times and i couldn't seem to get a single note that was in-tune the whole time i played it.

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2009-12-29 22:26

Just keep an eye out for a used wooden pro level clarinet worthy of a complete rebuild - you'll get much more of a clarinet in that than with a new plastic one.

Cracks can always be repaired.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Buffet B12 - Your personal opinion
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2009-12-30 04:34

Maybe now that the B12 is not made by Schreiber anymore quality will improve (or not).

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