 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Redsquirrel
Date: 2013-10-12 03:51
Hello, I'm new here to the board and I find it super helpful all the info posted here.
I've been playing clarinet for 3 years now, I'm in a beginner adult band that is super casual. As such I purchased a Vito V40 on ebay for my first 2 years of playing and was happy with that instrument and was going to use it for my third year. However, I found a Buffett clarinet at my local thrift store for $99.99. At the time all I saw was Buffet Crampon on all the joints and it was made of wood and in a really weird foe alligator skin case that looked right out of the 70s. I was taking a chance on it for worth, but I figured it was probably worth more than $100
After some research with the serial number I found out its an R13 from around the time that Can't be Traced?1965ish its in the 80000's. It does have one pin in the upper joint above the A key which looks like a really good repair because I didn't know what it was for a while and had to look really hard for the hairline crack. As far as I can tell it plays fine and sounds quite good. I feel like it sounds a lot warmer than my plastic V40. I have not got the corks repaired or pads redone. I'm a little scared to have anyone mess with it.
I'm kinda wondering what I'm dealing with here, is it valuable, should I take it in to get serviced. Are there any considerations I should to take care of it. I've never owned a wood instrument before. Any comments or questions would appreciated, I find the history of these instruments pretty interesting.
Post Edited (2013-10-12 04:37)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-10-12 12:33
Redsquirrel -
A well-pinned crack should be invisible. So should the pin. The fact that it's visible argues that maybe the job wasn't as skilfully done as it might have been. Hold the upper joint up to a light and look down it from the top. If you see no crack, that's good news.
A clarinet with a well-pinned crack should play as well as one that has never cracked.
Clark Fobes has written that Buffets in the 85000 range are "very flexible, but twelfths are wide." http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Intonation.html. Check the intonation using an electronic tuner such as the inexpensive but excellent Korg CA1 http://www.amazon.com/Korg-CA1-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B002PMHAVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1381491265&sr=1-1&keywords=korg+chromatic+tuner.
Be sure to have someone else watch the meter as you play. If you watch yourself, you'll automatically adjust. Also, set the tuner to play an A and check octaves, fourths and fifths, listening for beats. Then set the tone to C and repeat, followed by F and as many pitches as you can keep your ear fresh for.
If you have the standard Buffet barrel, which is cylindrical, you should try a reverse-conical one such as Buffet's Chadash or Moennig models, or one from the numerous barrel makers.
A 1965 R13 with a noticeable pin may bring $1000 on eBay. You got a great deal -- the kind we all look for.
By all means bring your R13 to a good repair tech, such as the ones who support this board http://test.woodwind.org/Sponsors/Service/. You will be very pleasantly surprised. You might have your Vito touched up, too.
Keep the Vito for outdoor playing and practice. If you put the mouthpiece and barrel from the Buffet on it, the difference in playing qualities will be small.
Ken Shaw
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-10-12 13:23
Ken gave you good advice. It sounds like you got a nice instrument for a great price.
The advice about intonation is correct. My R-13 is slightly newer, and my only complaint is poor intonation in the throat tones (flat). Using a Fobes 65 mm barrel and raising key heights has helped somewhat. You may or may not have this issue, but as Ken said, it is worth checking all of the pitches with a good electronic tuner after the clarinet has been warmed up.
I wouldn't hesitate to get the pads redone. With regard to the corks, just be careful if you have that done when the weather is cold and the humidity inside buildings is low. Many years ago, I had corks replaced on an old Evette under these conditions. The pressure in the middle joint from a very tight new cork against wood in the lower joint that had shrunk a bit caused a small crack at the top of the lower joint under the ring. Perhaps I'd have that kind of work done now, and I'd ask that the cork be snug, but not so tight that it's a struggle to put the parts together.
Just be careful during the cold winter when the indoor humidity is low. This is a topic that generates a lot of discussion, but I'd suggest oiling when the wood in the bore starts to have a gray dried-out look (you'll probably notice this mostly near the top of the upper joint). I usually oil about 3 to 4 times a year, and recommend a plant-based oil, such as one from Doctor's Products.
Enjoy your new clarinet!
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-10-15 01:06
Wow, great deal! Even with a pin through it, well worth the money.
My 1975 Buffet Bb is wonderful in my opinion. Only complaint is the high B and C are sharp on that era of horns.
My 1968 Buffet A is better on the high B and C, but my throat tone A is about 8 cents flat and I have to remember to lip it down.
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-10-15 04:11
>> A well-pinned crack should be invisible. So should the pin. The fact that it's visible argues that maybe the job wasn't as skilfully done as it might have been. <<
Re the crack, no matter how well the pinning is, some cracks can re-open which could make them visible (even when closed again). Cracks can vary. Some stay closed without any repairs and some will open no matter what is done to them pretty much.
Re the visible pin holes, there are good reasons to purposely not make them invisible, so a repairer can see where they are, in case some other repair is necessary in that area of the body.
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Author: rmk54
Date: 2013-10-15 12:18
My 1968 Buffet A is better on the high B and C, but my throat tone A is about 8 cents flat and I have to remember to lip it down.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston, we have a problem...
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-10-15 13:17
I know there are many ways to play the clarinet, but if your A is 8 cents flat and you're lipping it down...
...well, with my method of playing that would be why it's 8 cents flat.
Do you mean sharp?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Redsquirrel
Date: 2013-10-15 15:09
I'm not sure if this is normal, but it plays very flat until it warms up, then its almost perfectly in tune until I get up into the higher register. Any tips for improving my tone up there? I can't seem to make higher notes sound any good.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-10-15 16:31
Before going berserk with reaching certain notes, I'd have the instrument checked and if necessary serviced. Else you're just wasting your time wrestling with a suboptimal setup.
--
Ben
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Author: MSK
Date: 2013-10-15 16:32
I ran into the trouble clarinetguy describes when I had a similar bargain clarinet overhauled in the winter. I needed the overhaul in order for the instrument to be playable, but I had to get the tenon corks shaved down a little when summer came. Not really a problem. The overhaul was necessary to make the instrument playable for the 6 months leading up to summer and getting the corks shaved when summer came was a cheap, quick fix. Now that summer is over the shaved corks are still fine.
Enjoy your bargain purchase, but expect it to need a little TLC up front.
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Author: Redsquirrel
Date: 2013-10-15 17:22
Yes, I'm playing it as I found it. The corks are fine for now I think, but the pads for sure could be replaced. So, if the horn isn't perfect, I can't play higher notes that sound ok? I thought maybe it was my air or my ombouchure? I use Rico Reserve 3's. Maybe that's my problem too?
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Author: joe423
Date: 2013-10-15 18:25
Oh, yes I meant I have to lip it up. Lipping down an already flat note is not going to help the situation!
1975 Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet
1968 Buffet R13 A Clarinet
Pyne Clarion Mouthpiece
Vandoren V12 3.5 Reeds
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
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