 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: carmine
Date: 2001-03-29 01:47
Hi There; I am in the market for a clarinet for my youngest child who is starting 8th grade.
Based on her skill level her teacher recommended a Buffet R13.
Yesterday I was up at a local music supply store to get my other daughters flutes repaired and the owner and repair guy told me he recommends a LeBlanc 45Eb. He feels that for a high school and college level student this is adequate and that this instrument produces as good a sound as the Buffet R13.
There is a significant price difference.
Unfortunately, since I dont play any instruments I cant evaluate this info. So I am asking for your input.
While I am hoping my children will continue to play past college I am not counting on it.
I would appreciate any info you have or could you point to a source of unbiased info.
thanks
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Author: Kim L
Date: 2001-03-29 02:45
I'd have her try the clarinets for herself, and see which she likes more. The salesperson is judging your daughter by "the grade" and not her ability. Have her try the two. I personally prefer the R-13, but then again, I have never tried any of the other models. I'd also go with her teacher's preference. If you go against the teacher, she could be in for a yelling at! The R-13 is a very high quality instrument(IMHO).
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-03-29 04:33
There is a huge difference between the sound of an R13, and the sound of a Noblet 45. If you go with the Noblet now, you'll probably need to get an R13 or similar quality instrument in a few years, and I've found Noblets to be very difficult to resell. I'd go with her teacher's recommendation. I would hate to see your daughter's progress hindered by using a lesser instrument. If I sound adament, it is because it bothers me when a salesperson undermines a teacher like that. Besides, I had to struggle with a Noblet in high school, and when I finally got an R13, my progress was much faster.
Chris
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-03-29 17:03
My experience with selling a Noblet was markedly different from that of Chris. Mine, which had just been overhauled, sold at the asking price within two days of being advertised in the paper.
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Author: kelly
Date: 2001-03-29 21:17
i'm a freshman in college this year, and i've played on an old, junky plastic conn since i started playing in the 4th grade. when i came to school last semester, my teacher had me play on an evette (made by buffet). just about a week ago i was able to test out some clarinets, and i bought an r-13. it has a beautiful sound...the notes are clear and in tune, even up through the altissimo register. i love it already. so, if you are looking to buy a quality clarinet that your daughter will play through college, i highly suggest that she at least try out an r-13. selmers are nice as well, but i prefer buffet. they are expensive instruments, but it will be well worth your money.
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-03-29 23:56
If you get the Noblet, you'll have to move up eventually anyway, so why not skip the intermediate step? If the R-13 isn't over your budget, go for it. It's a beautiful clarinet. I got my R-13 when I was in 8th grade. I progressed a great deal faster with it than I had with my old Armstrong (not bad for a plastic, I still have it as a spare, but there's really no comparison).
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Author: nick
Date: 2001-03-30 00:50
Dear Carmine,
If your daughter's teacher recommends a Buffet R13 then he/she obviously believes that your daughter possesses a lot of talent, which is great :-} The R13 is a professional quality clarinet and is priced as such. If your daughter is serious about playing the clarinet and learning for a long time then this will be a great investment. However, you might like to consider the other makers of professional horns, ie Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha. Any music shop worth its salt will let you try these instruments out for however long it takes, including trying out different mouthpiece combinations with each. See if your daughters teacher would accompany her and help her find the right instrument as they don't come cheap!!! The best of luck to both of you and happy hunting!
Nick
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-03-31 01:56
[The Buffet R-13 is not the only professional clarinet; Leblanc, Selmer & Yamaha amongst other companies also offer excellent professional clarinets. Since (IMO) the Teacher is & should _lead_ the instrument selection process, I'll limit my discussion to prescribed clarinet, the Buffet R-13.]
Instrument prices vary greatly from store to store, state to state, etc. That said, this is not a great time of the year to have inventory on hand. More instruments are sold in the late summer & fall, as opposed to other times of the year. ( HINT ! ) You have power as a consumer in your wallet.
(Not to plug, but to give an example of purchase alternatives) The Catalogue sellers should not be overlooked. I recently had Lisa Argeris of International Musical Suppliers (a catalogue seller in the Chicago (Airport) area) pick out three (3) Buffet clarinets for me. Two were R-13's & the 3rd was a Buffet Vintage R-13. I told Lisa the type of sound (characteristics) & model (silverplated keywork) I was after & she went looking. 10 days later she sent 3 clarinets. Upon receipt of the Buffet clarinets my teacher & I had a very hard time choosing among these clarinets. The prices were very competitively priced. The clarinets were all regulated nicely & I had no complaints on key corks or other sqwawks.
** Be advised that these clarinets were all subject to re-stock fees, shipping to/fro, & insurance costs which increased my overall purchase price by approx. $150.**
I am (terribly) pleased with my purchase.
[ please note: this is but an example -- there are may OTHER catalogue sellers & there are many retailers who offer instruments locally at competitive prices. As Mark Charette is apt to say "Your mileage may vary". ]
Finally, while discount pricing exists and may or may not be offered to you by a local merchant ---- the local merchant has BENEFITS that he/she can offer such as local service after the sale. Financing might be easier on a local level, depending upon a person's financial circumstances --- again the Catalogue sellers offer financing, too. This is not to say that local repair people will refuse to service a horn purchased from another dealer or catalogue seller, but is only to say that the local merchant may present more than meets the eye at first glance.
This is an important purchase. I would hope that your chaild's teacher will play a part in selection of _THE_ clarinet which is ultimately purchased.
Best of luck to you & your daughter.
mw
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-04-01 07:35
As the owner of two great R13's, I recommend them highly at about $1700 to $1900. However, I visited my 10-year old grandaughter not long ago and was quite impressed with the sound and tuning of her cheap plastic Yamaha student clarinet for not so much money. The R13 is better, but for a couple of years, the Yamaha might not be a bad idea, provided it is properly adjusted and has no leaks.
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