The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-07-12 10:21
My personal take on this is that the R13 has been around for a long time for a good reason. It is a design that renders a solid sound with reasonable intonation and the ability to play ALL dynamics (including ppppp) well.
The other Buffets are tweaks to this idea, some better some not so much. The Vintage model really is an attempt to offer a design closer to the original R13s of years past (even the pardigm has been tweaked). The Vintage is a very good instrument but it tunes slightly differently and may not be to everyone's taste. As for the Prestige, I find it to be a bit too bright and the extra Eb/Ab key just keeps getting in the way (though you can just take it off).
So, nothing wrong with the good ol' R13 and they are still the least expensive of the line. You may or may not find something you like better about the 'others.' Whether they are worth their respective price differentials is completely up to you.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2012-07-12 18:59
Jack,
Exactly where can I get a Vintage for $400.00 as a matter of fact I will take two. LOL
jmsa
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2012-07-12 19:52
I think the prices Jack mentioned were the prices above and beyond the Base R13 model.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-12 20:26
Not long ago I tested the New Vintage, but it had some tuning issues. I bought a set of the regular R-13's. I thought about playing the Tosca, but since I'm older and playing less I turned it down.
I have to say the new R-13's have a few stuffy notes, so I will be looking at some barrels. The Moenig barrel is a bit resistant for me. Maybe I need to play a few more. They are all a bit different. Moinig himself would adjust them with a reamer, because Buffet sometimes missed getting the measurements correct.
I've never played the Prestige. I hear it's pretty decent.
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Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2012-07-12 22:08
Here is a very short history of R13s:
http://www.buffetr13clarinets.com/buffet-r13-history
I have a 1959 A and a 1961 Bb; the A is an incredible instrument.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-07-13 04:19
>> Exactly where can I get a Vintage for $400.00 as a matter of fact I will take two. <<
I guess next time you need to use the command [hum][/hum] or [sarc][/sarc]. LOL and smilies just don't cut it anymore...
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-07-24 19:41
The technical differences is that the prestige features more core wood that is unstained, metal tenon rings and the Aux Eb key. Acoustically there isn't a difference from the regular r-13. They are just as inconsistent as regular r-13s so if you were test a combo batch of both, it would be a toss up as to which horn would be best.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-07-24 19:58
I would respectfully disagree with this last post only based on experience playing quite a few R13s vs. Prestige clarinets in the not too distant past (1995-2000). If on the other hand, the specifications of both have come together since then I would be willing to concede this point but there was a noticable (and consistant, predictable sound for both) back during this recent era.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: vljenewein
Date: 2012-07-26 18:17
Bob wrote:
"Not long ago I tested the New Vintage, but it had some tuning issues. I bought a set of the regular R-13's. I thought about playing the Tosca, but since I'm older and playing less I turned it down.
I have to say the new R-13's have a few stuffy notes, so I will be looking at some barrels. The Moenig barrel is a bit resistant for me. Maybe I need to play a few more. They are all a bit different. Moinig himself would adjust them with a reamer, because Buffet sometimes missed getting the measurements correct.
I've never played the Prestige. I hear it's pretty decent."
Just as a side interest I have heard that the R13s are not that great, and in fact mostly average to poor.
You mention barrels and reaming the barrel. Does the barrel diameter have a lot to do with the resulting sound? In other words, what is the preferred barrel bore diameter for best or easiest playing? What is the "correct" measurement that buffet missed?
Vernon
Jenewein Duduks Manufacturing & Research
www.duduk.us American made Duduks
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