 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: IDFocus
Date: 2015-05-22 16:44
My now retired band director is selling his 1973 Buffet R13. The serial number is 133256 and if I'm correct, the horn was put together during the golden age of the Robert Carre R13. The clarinet has a nice warm and round tone and projects very well while having spot on intonation. The key work is a little worn and torn but still functions extremely well (I am getting a complete overhaul if I purchase it). There are no cracks in the wood or tenons. Most pads are still very white with one or two having a bit of discoloration. My real question is, how do the older R13s compare to the newer ones and if I completely overhaul the horn then can it be better than newer R13s?
Post Edited (2015-05-22 16:54)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2015-05-22 16:56
IDFocus wrote:
> if I completely overhaul the horn then can it be better than newer R13s?
In what way better?
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2015-05-22 17:42
Hi
One of my clarinets is an R13 which is also in the 133xxx serial number range. It plays nicer than modern R13s that I've tried - but I've only tried a couple of those, so can't really say for sure. Back in 1973, the R13 was the top model, so equivalent to what they market as the "prestige" horns now - ie, in the 1970s they would only use the choicest bits of wood to make the R13. Nowadays, the best bits of wood (in shorter supply) are saved for the prestige models, with the corresponding premium added to the price.
Will it be better than a modern one? Not necessarily - but you'd have to try a lot of modern ones to find out. and as GBK is perhaps hinting at, better is subjective. Better for you? Again, you'd have to try out a good sample before deciding. But if you've already tried this one, or at least had a good look at it and heard it played, then it sounds like you're onto a winner. Buy it and enjoy it.
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Author: William
Date: 2015-05-22 18:44
It might be interesting to remember that back in that era, clarinetist's routinely auditioned multiple R13's in order to find the few that were truly exceptional. Not all Buffet R13 clarinets were good, in fact, only a small percentage--however, they were the instruments of choice for most professional musicians. So, your band director's R13 may or may not be "top drawer" as we used to say back in the day........try before you buy.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-05-22 21:16
The wood will most certainly be better than on a modern R13 as earlier post notes that the best wood today is reserved for the top models and especially the Tosca and Divine.
The standard modern R13 is now at least 3rd down from the top models.
Only playing it will determine how it actually works for you.
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Author: BobW
Date: 2015-05-22 22:49
I have a 1975 R 13 and a 2011 R13
I prefer the 1975 model's sound
and keywork
just my opinion
Post Edited (2015-05-22 23:12)
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-05-23 03:29
It probably won't have as much resistance as a new clarinet, especially if it has been played a lot.
I don't heed much to the wood being better argument. I see old clarinets that have nice wood and some that don't. Most of my professional customers play new instruments.
If you like the way it plays now, and it tunes well I say go for it.
Steve Ocone
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2015-05-23 04:30
The R13s of the "golden era" are not the same clarinet as modern R13 clarinets. The bore it different. I believe there are other differences. That is not to say that there aren't good modern R13 clarinets. The new off-the-shelf specimens play better in tune that their predecessors in my opinion. I like the R13 with serial numbers up to 110K.
If there is noticeable key wear, especially scalloped rings, I would not buy the clarinet. For a clarinet to have that kind of wear it had to have had the crap played out of it. Swabbing the bore after playing for decades wears the wood. It is most likely "played out".
IF you are buying for sentimental reasons, none of the above matters in my opinion.
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-05-23 04:32
Maybe, maybe not. I have a 1976 Buffet R13 that I bought from Brannen Woodwinds in Evanston, IL. They took a new R13 and did what is now referred to as "Brannenizing" or "servicing" back then which involves quite a bit of work on the instrument, but the results are amazing. They will overhaul a R13, but sometimes refuse to if they consider it "blown out." If they are willing to work on it you would end up with a better playing and sounding instrument than a new R13. It all depends on the condition of the instrument, the wood, and if they are interested in working on it. They are not out there begging for work, and do the best work around. Here is a link for what they do to a new R13 which would also apply to a overhaul. If you go with a new R13, sending it to them would improve it greatly. The best answer if you go for a new one is contact Gregory Smith. He will select one and send it to Brannen to be serviced.
http://www.brannenwoodwinds.com/
http://www.gregory-smith.com/Hand.html
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