 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris2787
Date: 2013-02-26 09:44
Hey fellow Clarinetists,
So, I'm having this major internal conflict and it's killing me inside; what brand name professional clarinet should I buy?!
I currently own a Buffet E11 Bb Clarinet with a Backun Cocobolo barrel and bell, so I know for a fact that a Leblanc by Backun Symphonie or Buffet R13 would be an upgrade. I'm no professional clarinetist by any means (I'm an ER Nurse), I'm sort of a clarinet fanatic/serious player. I have the opportunity to play in some great wind ensembles and community bands on Long Island, NY.
I really love the way the Symphonie looks, but unfortunately I haven't heard it played. The R13 seems to be the most famous professional clarinet... every time I ask what clarinet someone plays I almost always (98% of the time) hear them say Buffet. I want to move away (for lack of better words) from Buffet and expand my horizons. I've always been told by my teachers ONLY BUFFET, they are the best! I'm sure there are other brands that have exceptional clarinets... (I just looked up the Backun and Moba clarinets in Cocobolo on backunmusical.com .... O M G! I want one so bad!)
I've been offered to test play a Symphonie, R13, and a few other clarinets this Saturday 3/2/2013 and I am soooooo excited. I will most definitely try out the R13 just to make sure I absolutely 100% know that I'm making the right choice. (I know the only right choice is what I like, and what type of sound I'm looking for.)
I would love to hear from people who have tried each of these instruments and their personal reviews on them. It won't make or break my decision on buying any instrument, but I like to know from other people what things to look out for so I can look, listen, and be aware when play testing them.
Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Christopher Ljucovic RN, CCMA, EMT-B
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Author: Chris2787
Date: 2013-02-26 09:54
Let me just say I absolutely love Morrie Backun's work. His clarinets look amazing, sound amazing, and if I had the money, I would most definitely buy an Artist Moba or Backun Bb Clarinet in Cocobolo (as I stated above) without a doubt. I really wish he made a professional level cocobolo clarinet that was a bit more affordable.
Well I'm headed to work. I will be checking the post throughout the day.
thanks again!
Chris L.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-02-26 16:26
Chris2787 wrote:
> So, I'm having this major internal conflict and it's killing me
> inside; what brand name professional clarinet should I buy?!
You should buy whichever clarinet you like best when you play it. Don't pay any attention to the brand name or the model. Going in for a play test with preconcieved prejudices (you say that you don't want a Buffet) is a bad idea.
Clarinet players are notoriously opinionated about equipment and if you were to ask all of us what the "best" setup is you would likely not get the same answer twice. Only you can tell what will work best for you.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2013-02-27 02:34
I agree. Don't worry about brand. Take a tuner, take a recording device if you can, and most importantly, do whatever you can to take an extra person with a good set of ears to turn around and listen to you play on the various clarinets. A blind opinion based on how you sound without them knowing the brand is the best opinion you can get.
Fwiw, I'm not a fan of buffet r13s. Just haven't found one that really really agrees with me. And I do think backun clarinets are very well made and tuned.
BUT, my personal clarinet is actually a buffet Evette and schaeffer and it has outplayed many MANY professional clarinets (despite it being a precursor to the E13, a high end student clarinet)
Alexi
Ps- if you have the cash and don't mind taking your time, I think your best bet is to find a solid used professional clarinet that sounds good, and then send it to a professional who can tune/voice it and make it even better. $500 with the Brannens, Morrie Backun, maybe Phil Muncy does it, or another tech that can do that job could transform it might surprise you in what can be brought out of an old clarinet.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-02-27 03:39
Alexi- I had a student a few years back who bought a reconditioned E+S, playing it she passed her ABRSM Grade 8, was in the finals for the NZ Woodwind Competition (and was the top clarinet 2 years running) and sucessfully audition for clarinet performance at the top NZ music school. Her new teacher commented that he thought she'd need a new clarinet, mouthpiece and barrel. She was playing the E+S with a Dan Johnston mouthpiece (the teacher had never heard of DJ so had no idea that it was an excellent 'piece) with the stock barrel.
At the end of her 1st year she still hadn't played a "new" clarinet with better intonation or more even tone quality. None of the after market barrels she had tried had fooled her into buying them.
Not all of them are that good, but if you find a good one you have a darn good clarinet!
dn
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2013-02-27 08:49
You should consider Morrie's Protege clarinet. It's a entry level pro instrument with all the great characteristics that you expect from Morrie's fine work.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-02-27 17:17
I currently play one of the Backun Symphonie clarinets, and am quite happy with it. As Peter mentioned, the new Backun Protege costs less than a new R13, and is supposed to be an EXCELLENT pro-grade instrument. It's available in either wood, too, I believe.
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: Chris2787
Date: 2013-02-27 17:31
Thank you all soooo very much for your replies. I am very interested in the Protégé. It looks great.. and it comes in cocobolo. So excited to try it... hopefully John Parrette has some in stock.
Thanks,
Chris L.
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Author: jbunnin
Date: 2013-02-27 23:11
Of course you'll have to try any clarinet think you might want for more than a few minutes in the shop, so be sure to buy with a full return privilege.
I just bought a Leblanc by Backun from Taylor Music, in Aberdeen, SD, at the most favorable price. Their stock is limited, because the LB instruments aren't being produced. I tried both the LB120 (which I bought) and the LB130 (which I liked, but didn't buy). My teacher was blown away by the LB120. He plays a Golden Age R13, and he wanted more information about where I bought the LB120, thinking he might get one.
This isn't a commercial. I just want to share my personal experience with Taylor and with the—sadly—discontinued Leblanc by Backun instruments.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2013-02-28 02:38
This is really predictable of me to say but what about the Yamaha 650? It's a really good clarinet and an amazing price.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2013-02-28 06:33
I tried a Yamaha 650 recently while looking for a new instrument for a student and was very impressed with the fit/finish, and how well it played. I didn't find it as "colorful" sounding as my CSG or previous R13, but the intonation/scale was excellent, and I'm sure throwing another barrel to change its characteristics would do the trick for anyone wanting to to play like another kind of clarinet they might be more accustomed to.
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Author: Dan Oberlin ★2017
Date: 2013-02-28 10:35
Chris,
Do you have current contact information for John Parrette?
D.O.
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Author: Chris2787
Date: 2013-02-28 16:51
Yep. I'm going upstate NY to see him Saturday and try the horns out. So beyond excited!!
Chris L.
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Author: Chris2787
Date: 2013-03-08 15:05
I bought a Buffet RC Prestige instead. It blew all the other instruments out of the water. Although I did love the sound of the Leblanc.
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