 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Liesel
Date: 2000-12-21 22:31
Hi, I'm in 11th grade right now, and I'm going to be a music education major in college, I'd like to teach K-12 and continue playing for enjoyment. I bought my clarinet in 6th grade, it's a plastic Yamaha student horn. I'm going to buy a new clarinet and I want to use it in college and after. Most everyone has told me to buy a Buffect R-13 because I'll love it and it's the best horn you can buy. Before I start looking, does anyone have any suggestions for me? My mouthpiece is a Vanduran B-45 and I'm using Rico/Rico Royal 3 to 3 1/2 reeds. I guess that could affect my testing of horns. Anyway, I would really appreciate general or specific advice on anything for buying myself a new clarinet. Thanks.
Liesel
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-21 23:23
The R-13 is probably not "the best" clarinet available today, but it is extremely good and widely available used. The used market is perhaps one of its greatest advantages for someone like yourself that wants a pro horn but doesn't necessarily want a career in performance. Another advantage is that they are widely accepted in ensembles from bands to orchestras and your sound will blend well with those around you. Some LeBlanc's and Selmers are great also - just not as widely available in the used market.
If I had $1600 to spend on a "new" horn, I'd buy a good used horn for about $900 (or less if it obviously needed attention); have a top grade overhaul for about $375; and put the rest in a pro mouthpiece and barrel from a custom maker like some of our sponsors. Your horn would then have had more individual, professional evaluation and work done on it than the vast majority of new instruments and it would most likely play like it. I think I'm envious.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-21 23:31
What Fred said.
The horn has a substantial impact on playability, but less tonally than the mouthpiece.
You may find that your Vandy B45 stutters a little on its new home.
Me, I wouldn't even consider a new horn... they're just too expensive for what you actually get.
Mine is a thirty-year old Evette Master model that flat out plays any of the new horns available in my area (Upstate New York).
Check out what Richard Butler has to offer, he does great work and really seems to do well by other sneezers.
Dave Spiegelthal is a good dude, also.
If you must look at the newest stuff, the R-13 is the tonal standard but the new Selmer Signature is supposedly a killer horn, too.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-12-22 00:40
My ideal setting: Rossi.
Second setting:Internatinal Musical Supplier's Greg Smith selected R-13 with
Greg Smith mouthpiece and Chadash barrel.
Reed:Alexander classic for both.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-22 02:05
There is no one best horn. Look into all the major makers. These are Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer, and Yamaha. All of them make very good pro level instruments. As others have stated, the used market can be a good deal if you know what to look for and evaluate the amount of work that will be required (if any). Because they are extremely popular, the used Buffets generally go for higher prices than the others. However the others are equally fine horns. Find one that suits you and your pocket book.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-22 02:30
Do take your present mp and reed when you test drive a new horn. That takes care of two out of three variables.
Bob
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Author: Erin
Date: 2000-12-23 04:06
When I got my R13 about three years ago, I was playing a B45 mouthpiece too, but with V12 #3 reeds. Definitely take your current mouthpiece setup when you go to try horns, working with a setup you're not used to won't help you decide. If you need to change mouthpieces or reeds (which you probably will as you "grow into" the pro horn), it will happen more naturally later. For example, I went through a Genussa mouthpiece since I bought the R13 and now play a customized Johnston, with the reed strength upped to 3.5.
In regards to what brand of horn is best, I personally prefer Buffet, but you can only find out what's best for you by trying different things.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2001-01-01 20:14
Well first of all here is my little speel... In my opinion when dealing with professional clarinets there is no big 4... there is only the big 3 (Buffet, LeBlanc, and Selmer). The R-13 isnt top of the line, but it is the standard probobly. I personally own an R-13 Vintage, which I love. The top of the line would probobly be the $6000 LeBlanc, I forget the name (Its either the Concerto or the Opus or something like that), which plays absolutly wonderful, it better for the price. I personally didn't like the Selmer Soprano clarinets (I swear by my old Selmer Series 9 Contra-Alto Clarinet that I played in High School though, I loved that old rosewood hunk of junk). I would suggest maybe getting better quality reeds, maybe some Lurie's or some Grand Concerts.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-01-01 22:33
Well, Robert, there'd be a few professionals who'd disagree with your dropping of Yamaha, including one of the clarinetists of the Chicago Symphony.
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