 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: normancult
Date: 2010-08-15 19:18
Ok. Finally I am ready to buy a real bass clarinet, after saving a lot of money for more than 2 years.
That is for sure the most expensive clarinet I'll ever buy.
Here lays the nerve-wracking problem: I am pending towards the Selmer 67 but I am not 100% sure yet.
Today's scene: I have also the possibility to get a Selmer 37, a 33 or even an Buffet 1193.
And because a place that I can try more than one clarinet at the same time exists only on my dreams, I think I need some more advice like
what is in your opinion the best model and why?
where should I buy? Here in the states or in Paris?
What are the other tricks, ideas, strategies, etc that I should know??
Thanks a lot folks.
Cheers,
n.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-08-15 19:42
From Michael Lowevstern's website, about flying to Paris to buy a Low C bass:
http://earspasm.blogspot.com/2009/03/buying-bass-clarinet-in-2009.html
I play the Buffet 1193, and I love it. The key layout persuades one to feel that it is just a big soprano clarinet which has made it extremely comfortable for me to play. Love the sound, and I have no issues projecting.
I DID play a Selmer low C in grad school, but I haven't tried one side by side with my Buffet. So my post's value is mostly in providing the link above!
Good luck!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-15 21:25
I don't know what the most recent Selmer basses are like in terms of keywork, but the previous models did have some pretty heavy keywork on them in that you needed a good degree of strength to use some keys (eg. the front low D touch).
I bought a Buffet 1193 back in 2000 for the simple reason the keywork is very well balanced (having borrowed one for a week to do a show back in 1999) - and I'm not exactly a Buffet fan, but this feature won me over.
If you know anywhere that stocks both Buffet and Selmer basses, go there and try them all out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-08-16 00:08
You might certainly see if you can get to try both Selmer and Buffet. There are lots of people with lots of preferences, but only you can decide what you like. They are both excellent.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-08-16 03:52
>> And because a place that I can try more than one
>> clarinet at the same time exists only on my dreams
It sounds like you are considering buying in Paris, where you definitely should be able to try more than one, especially if you are trying at the factories. You can try scheduling with both factories at about the same time, might work. Some stores there will get several from the factory so it's the same thing really.
If you are in USA and can get to Paris, you can probably also get to one of the bigger stores in USA? Try asking them what they have. I tried several Buffets and Selmers in WWBW when I bought my bass clarinet.
After trying many new Buffets (1193) and Selmers (67) and also more than a few older Buffets (previous version of 1193 and older models) and Selmers (37s, some 33s from different years) I think no one can objectively say one is the best. A certain player might like one the best (I do) but that is not necessarily the same as what someone else would like.
Mechanically IMO the Buffet is the best with the Selmer 67 second, but that is the design. In build quality, the amount of problems I recently saw on a relatively new 67 was incredible. Other 67s I saw were better but still Buffet had much better build quality from factory on the ones I've seen (but none without any problems either). Older models like 37 and especially 33 don't have as good design IMO. They also generally feel a bit smaller with your giners when you play, to me at least (and I don't really know what 33s the ones I tried were since they kept the name but changed the model).
You can buy any of the models you mentioned and have a great bass clarinet. But to buy the one YOU want, you would have to try them.
Post Edited (2010-08-16 04:46)
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2010-08-16 15:23
I would put in a vote for the new Buffet (1193).
When I bought my bass clarinet a few years ago I compared the 1193 to the new Selmer 67. I had the luxury of having 3 Selmers and 4 Buffets to compare.
I (and my colleagues) found that all the Buffets sounded better than the Selmers.
Everyone commented that the Selmer, while still good, sounded narrower, thinner, less warm and less homogenous (with regards to uniformity of tone between registers).
The instruments were compared in the playing contexts of standard orchestra and contemporary chamber music (like Pierrot Lunaire).
If it means anything, I know quite a few people who, when having had the opportunity to try the two models side-by-side, all chose the new Buffet. It could be regional taste. It could be that the Buffets were set up better. It could be the fact that a lot of the Buffet purchasers are bass doublers (players for whom soprano clarinet is their primary instrument). Whatever the reason, everyone I know who has compared the two models (including non-clarinetists who listen while I play) prefers the Buffet.
------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich
Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
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