 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clartab
Date: 2014-10-20 23:12
I'm looking to purchase an Eb clarinet, preferably a Buffet R13.
Any suggestions where to start looking? Tried ebay but very few listed.
Also how much of a difference in tone quality and key action is the Buffet E11?
Thanks.
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2014-10-20 23:54
I would start by asking university professors in the area, especially in New York. You never know what connections they have or if they have an old instrument they're willing to sell. It is how I was able to get my eb.
Keep in mind when professionals sell their old horns they have put time and love into these instruments. I feel as though I really got what I paid for. The scale and response of my eb is absolutely incredible, especially in the high altissimo.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2014-10-21 01:04
Right, you don't want to buy a cheap effer, the intonation can be such a challenge. A decent Buffet R13 Eb clarinet is going to cost you a chunk o' change.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: elmo lewis
Date: 2014-10-21 02:59
You are close to Weiner Music in Mineola. They should have many eefers to try out and they have good prices too. (www.weinermusic.com).
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Author: tims
Date: 2014-10-21 04:11
Eb clarinets are far more problematic than a Bb/A. The best Eb clarinets will give you problems far greater than anything you are likely to encounter from a good Bb/A. The compromises designers must make in designing any clarinet become very apparent when playing an Eb. Though the R13 is still the most popular Eb, it is far from a perfect instrument and you will find many professionals are willing to consider the RC, the Tosca and the Selmer, not because they think any one is better than the others, but because each solves a different set of problems better. Which problems you think are most critical to you determines which instrument you select.
I have never played an E11 Eb, but have played an E11 C, and I was not impressed. These smaller instruments are far more difficult to design and manufacture well and I would avoid anything other than professional quality Eb clarinets - it will only give you grief in the long run. If you are looking for used, you will likely find mostly the R13 and Selmer Paris. Consider only Selmer Paris models, not any Selmer USA models. Buffet RCs have just recently become popular in the US so you are more likely to find a used RCs overseas. The Tosca Eb are too new to find any that are priced much below what you would pay for a new one. Leblanc professional and Noblet Eb are abundant, but I have played many of these over the years and have yet to find one that plays well. The Eb is a difficult instrument to play, even on the best instruments, so don't burden yourself with anything but the best you can possibly afford.
I own both an R13 and an older Selmer (circa 1967) and just played today on a brand new Buffet RC owned by the Eb clarinetist of the Houston Symphony. Each plays extremely well, but each has strengths and weaknesses. The RC has an exceptional sound in the lower register (great for Bolero) and a good overall sound throughout, but it has a distinctive tone quality that some might consider less Eb like and more like a Bb. You may think this either good or bad. I liked it, but the owner was considering it only for pieces where a robust and well in tune low register was specifically needed and would otherwise opt to use his R13.
The R13 does suffer in the low registers, but is otherwise consistent throughout. I find the R13 offers more resistance than either the RC or my Selmer. I find the altissimo register does not respond as quickly and tends slight lower in pitch making fingering without venting the Eb key not an option. The playing and pitch characteristics of the R13 change considerably between different mouthpieces. I currently use a couple of expensive custom mouthpieces on my R13 after struggling in vain to find a commercial one that worked.
I have not played on the newer Selmer Recitals, but would assume from my experience with the Bb Recitals, that they are closer to a Buffet R13 than to an RC, but still with traditional Selmer tonal and pitch characteristics. I currently favor my old Selmer Eb over my R13 because it plays more freely, with more stability and better pitch in the altissimo. Like the R13, it also suffers with pitch in the lowest register and maybe slightly more so. It is not nearly as sensitive to changes in mouthpieces as my R13 and I use an unmodified Vandoren B44 with excellent results, which means that if I drop it or my dog decides to eat it, it can easily be replaced. Pre-Recital Selmers were based on the old Series 9 bore. These Selmers Eb were made for well over 30 years until they were replaced by the Recital series so there tends to be a reasonable number of these instruments out there.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-21 04:11
For my money, it's worth it to consider the Greenline utility horns. The composite material doesn't 'settle' like wood, consequently the chances of pitch irregularities cropping up after manufacture are much smaller.
By the way, key action is a function of adjusting the spring tensions to your liking. ANY horn can be regulated properly. The shape of the keys is a different story but I don't think you're talking about that.
By all means stick with the top of the line horns for an Eb clarinet. Trying to work around bad intonation is NOT worth it.
And finally a friend of mine who is quite accomplished on Eb only used Bb reeds. You can chop the length of the butt of the reed down OR purchase a Backun barrel that has a notch in the top that allows for a full length Bb reed to be affixed to you Eb mouthpiece!
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2014-10-21 05:03
I was able to find a Selmer Paris Eb from the 1970s that didn't cost too much (<$500 on that auction site).
It refurbished well and with a high quality mouthpiece it plays like a dream. You might look for one, they seem to come up quite a bit more often and quite a bit more affordably than Buffets.
Oh, and Patricola makes a very nice, reasonably priced Eb.
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Author: Christopher Bush
Date: 2014-10-21 05:53
Hello Clartab,
If you want a Buffet, you might as well go to the source. Shoot Laurie Orr (laurie.orr@buffet-group.com) a message over at the Buffet NY Showroom in the city on W 36th. I'm sure that she would be happy to have you come over and play the Eb's they have.
Have fun!
Christopher Bush
Prof. of Clarinet - NYU
Princ. Clarinet - Glens Falls Symphony, Metro Chamber Orchestra
Director - NYU Composers Ensemble
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Author: Ed
Date: 2014-10-21 19:40
It is a great idea to try other brands as well, especially if you can find them used. I have a Selmer Series 9 that is a great instrument. It is outstanding in all respects and I like it much better than Buffets that I have played.
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Author: Reedman1908
Date: 2014-10-22 03:45
While I am not a professional clarinetist, the role of ear training has not been discussed as it relates to the Eb clarinet. Differences in tuning over a professional clarinet are relatively small compared to the range of pitch variation from just embouchure movement. As my improvisation and ear training improved, along with playing jazz saxophone & clarinet, my Eb clarinet intonation in a classical venue markedly improved. Matching pitch is paramount in an ensemble. While I don't consciously decide to adjust my embouchure, I am indeed making ever so slight adjustments. I hear, and I play. Sure, the reed, mouthpiece and horn are the best compromise. The ear makes it work! The mouthpiece and reed selection are selected to have pitch flexibility, which on an Eb is quite easy. I can be at A440, but if the flute section is at A442, you just have to suck it up and move your pitch.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-10-22 03:50
I bought my Eb from Clarinets Direct in England. The company came highly recommended by a BBoard member from Australia (Tony). I was extremely pleased with their service. I did receive a shock when the US Government wanted an additional $65 tax upon delivery! (Import tax) It's my understanding that Wichitaband.com is similar to Clarinets Direct in that their primary business is selling used instruments. I ended up purchasing a LeBlanc and love it. I also owned a Bundy Eb...a good place to start, but I found I needed to move on to something better.
Post Edited (2014-10-22 03:53)
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Author: clartab
Date: 2014-11-02 19:04
Roxann wrote:
> I bought my Eb from Clarinets Direct in England. The company
> came highly recommended by a BBoard member from Australia
> (Tony). I was extremely pleased with their service. I did
> receive a shock when the US Government wanted an additional $65
> tax upon delivery! (Import tax) It's my understanding that
> Wichitaband.com is similar to Clarinets Direct in that their
> primary business is selling used instruments. I ended up
> purchasing a LeBlanc and love it. I also owned a Bundy Eb...a
> good place to start, but I found I needed to move on to
> something better.
>
>
> Post Edited (2014-10-22 03:53)
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Author: clartab
Date: 2014-11-02 19:08
clartab wrote:
> Roxann wrote:
>
> > I bought my Eb from Clarinets Direct in England. The company
> > came highly recommended by a BBoard member from Australia
> > (Tony). I was extremely pleased with their service. I did
> > receive a shock when the US Government wanted an additional
> $65
> > tax upon delivery! (Import tax) It's my understanding that
> > Wichitaband.com is similar to Clarinets Direct in that their
> > primary business is selling used instruments. I ended up
> > purchasing a LeBlanc and love it. I also owned a Bundy
> Eb...a
> > good place to start, but I found I needed to move on to
> > something better.
> >
>
> >
> > Post Edited (2014-10-22 03:53)
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Author: clartab
Date: 2014-11-02 19:15
clartab wrote:
> clartab wrote:
>
> > Roxann wrote:
> >
> > > I bought my Eb from Clarinets Direct in England. The
> company
> > > came highly recommended by a BBoard member from Australia
> > > (Tony). I was extremely pleased with their service. I did
> > > receive a shock when the US Government wanted an additional
> > $65
> > > tax upon delivery! (Import tax) It's my understanding
> that
> > > Wichitaband.com is similar to Clarinets Direct in that
> their
> > > primary business is selling used instruments. I ended up
> > > purchasing a LeBlanc and love it. I also owned a Bundy
> > Eb...a
> > > good place to start, but I found I needed to move on to
> > > something better.
> > >
> >
> > >
> > > Post Edited (2014-10-22 03:53)
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Author: clartab
Date: 2014-11-02 19:19
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.
I'm going to purchase a Buffet R13, so far only found 3....two at Weiner music and one at the Buffet showroom in Manhattan and one on ebay.
Hopefully I'll find one to my liking.
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Author: Mirko996
Date: 2014-11-02 21:51
there's a lot of clarinet, if you have some experience in clarinet is prefer buying a wood clarinet, all clarinet have the same position, change the tonality, but if you want a cheap clarinet you should buy a comet, but i disagree that, i have had a comet clarinet and was terrible.
i bought a noblet mib ( eb ) and have a great sonority, some note are declining ( is very hard, for example, do E or D Acute.
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