 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2001-04-17 05:54
I have been put in charge of finding, trialing, and testing new Eb clarients for my university. I am strongly leaning towards the buffet line of Eb's. They have their new line out that comes apart in the middle. I'm not leaning toeards this model because of that feature(not that it isn't pretty nifty) but I have heard many good things about that horn.
my question is...What new brands of Eb are out there that are widely used and played in orchestras and bands. I'm looking for professional line horns.
I'm leaning towards the Buffet Prestige and R-13 prestige(not that i know of much diference between the two horns) and possiby the leblanc opus or concerto mdel Ebs(but I have NEVER heard, seen, or heard mentioned anyonnne playing a leblanc Eb) I'm just looking for Ideas on the Leblanc.
WHAT ARE YOUR RECCOMENDATIONS??????
Aaron
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-04-17 07:42
I got a Patricola Eb not long ago that I'm happy with. I heard alot of bad things about the Buffet Eb's but then again, it's personal preference I guess.
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Author: Kai
Date: 2001-04-17 08:48
I don't have much experience with Eb clarinets but I do play on one Yamaha pro-model on loan and I think it's really great.
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Author: Jo
Date: 2001-04-17 13:48
I am using a University owned older Buffet R13 and I love it.
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Author: Bart Hendrix
Date: 2001-04-17 14:27
It has been over thirty years since I played Eb regularly, so I am not familiar with the current models. However, the Eb I played in college was a LeBlanc with a center joint and I absolutely loved it. I doubt they have gone downhill much in the following years.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-17 14:43
A few "pros" that I know (in particular, one who has played with the NY Philmarmonic) say that they prefer Selmer and LeBlanc Ebs because they sound "less like holloween." However, I'll bet that if a pro player played a bunch of Eb clarinets behind a screen, audition style, the seasoned listner would not be able to tell the difference in tone qualities between the highest priced pro-line effer and the average Selmer Bundy Resonite student model instrument. Therefore, IMHO, it is most important to choose your Eb clarinet for it's intonation and eveness of scale--and have the best mp/reed set-up you can find. I own a pro-line Yamaha that has a good sound and is relatively in tune. (mp is a Selmer HS**) I also own a Selmer Bundy that sounds the same as my Yamaha--it just isn't quite as well "in tune." The cost diff. between the two--about $2000.00!!!!!! Good luck with your choicies, maybe someone else has better advice than mine--Good Clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-04-17 15:44
I currently play a Buffet R-13 RC and love it. Intonation is much better than the Noblet I played in college and the bundy in high school. I just tired several plastic selmers and thought they were crap.. intonation was all over the place and the key action was difficult for me.
Blake
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-17 17:49
Blake:
I agree with you completely about the key action and intonation issues, I was just proposing that tone qualities are pretty much the same for all Eb's irregardless of cost and material they are made from. For the record: never played a Buffet effer, like my Yamaha and going by what other real good clarinet players have told me. Good clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-17 19:37
Aaron -
Rod Baltimore at International Music in New York has a consigned used Buffet RC in like-new condition. I played it about a month ago and thought it was excellent. The RC model corrects some of the intonation problems of the R-13, which is particularly important on Eb. You'll pay less than the new price, but not a lot less. If you're near New York, you should try it out.
I would avoid the older Leblanc models, which for me have had intonation problems. I haven't played the Opus or Concerto Ebs, but they should be good.
The best Selmers are from the 1950s. There was one on eBay last week that didn't sell at a bid of $500. I e-mailed the owner, who said he wanted $1000 for it. Particularly with an Eb, you should never get one without a return option, since you don't know about the intonation. I'd avoid the current Selmer models unless there is a Concerto Eb available.
Yamaha is certainly a possibility. John Bruce Yeh in the Chicago Symphony plays a Yamaha Eb. If you know him, or know someone who knows him, perhaps he could pick one out for you.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2001-04-18 05:55
Personally, i prefer vintage Selmer Eb's. Mine is a Series 9 from 1965. Have also played a Selmer from the 50's, and one from the 70's. Liked them both well too. But didn't like the older one as much as mine. And the one from the 70's was my high schools.
As for currently available new models, i love the Patricola. It has the best intonation and a wonderfully rich tone. AND it costs a heck of alot less than the Buffets.
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Author: Lindy
Date: 2001-04-19 11:49
Is there a web site for patricola?
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-04-20 20:29
Eb Clarinets are a love & hate sort of thing. I have played one for about 7 years in addition to my Bb. I have a little Normandy wooden Eb, and its sounds as good as any Eb is going to sound. (IMHO) I paid 450 used in 1994. I could have bought a buffet or leblanc, but I just honestly could not see a difference. I like the Eb, but many people regard them as the kazoo of the clarinet family. ( Even though the Ab piccolo clarinet is even smaller. )
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