 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2015-09-14 00:02
Greetings!
I'm considering upgrading my clarinet next summer and I just would like to hear what the current thoughts on this situation are. Currently I'm using a Buffet E12F and while it tunes mostly well and sounds quite good, I'm looking for something with a little more focused sound and better tuning on a few problem notes.
Do you think the Lyrique Libertas is better than the R13? Or is the R13 still the standard king?
Post Edited (2015-09-14 00:07)
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2015-09-14 00:49
I played on a very good R13 for decades. I still have it, but I play almost exclusively on my Liberitas now. It's a much different instrument. I didn't care for some of the differences at first, but after a period of adjustment I couldn't be happier.
Everyone has their own preferences and priorities, so you really need to try the instruments for yourself. You'll find lots of opinions on the Liberitas on this board if you do a search. I think it's fair to say that many find it to be a very good instrument, worthy of consideration. There are also many other professional quality instruments available. If I was buying another new instrument today I'm not sure Buffet would even make into my top 3 choices.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-09-14 05:00
If you can afford the R13, you need to get an R13. It is the standard for a reason. It works.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: gwie
Date: 2015-09-14 10:04
With the rising cost of Buffet R-13's, I've found it difficult to justify their cost especially to students who don't plan on majoring in music but still play at the level where they need a high quality professional instrument. To be sure, the majority of them play on Buffet R-13's since I'm in an area with a strong brand bias, but here are the exceptions that have found success with others:
Yamaha CSVR - This is the latest entry to the list, and I have to say they are absolutely wonderful. They have the core and projection of a Buffet R-13 with better intonation and wonderfully smooth keywork, and cost on average $1000 less. I was recommending the CSG for a long time since it is my primary horn after I sold my ("Brannenized") R-13's, but it's now at price-parity with the higher end Buffet's...the CSVR, being the new kid on the block is available at a great price now!
Yamaha YCL-650 - The quality of these coming off the line lately has been great, and the unstained grenadilla wood is very attractive. You can find them from the Yamaha dealers for under $1800, and the only complaint we had, the regular barrel feeling a bit too stuffy, is easily remedied. One of my students has a Backun MoBa in Grenadilla and he loves it...it beat out every other clarinet he tried out at the local shops at up to twice the price.
Leblanc LB210 "Bliss" - The only one of the line not to be discontinued after the collaboration with Backun, a student of mine obtained one of the generation 1 models at under $1000, silver keys, unstained grenadilla wood...and this was just an amazing clarinet. It went head-to-head with Buffet R-13's, Festivals, and a Yamaha CSV, and it won hands down in blind listening tests. The adjusting screws are really helpful, and it even comes with a Bonade ligature! You can still buy it new from places like Kessler for under $1600.
Backun Alpha - One of my younger students picked this up on sale for $600. It's the best plastic clarinet I've ever played, and I am so darned upset this wasn't in existence when *I* was in high school marching band, RAWR!!! I ended up buying one for myself for use in outdoor performances, it really is that good.
Post Edited (2015-09-14 21:04)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-09-14 11:17
I second gwie's suggestion adding the Yamaha YCL-650 to your list of instruments to audition.. A section mate of mine has one of these and it's a joy to play and very well made. Lots of R13-like ping and ring to the sound, very even response, and tuning accuracy that most R13s cannot match.
Yes, I would rather have a carefully chosen R13 versus the Yamaha, but if I had to buy a wooden clarinet and didn't have the chance to try a whole bunch before making my choice, I'd go with the YCL-650.
While the Alpha is a wonderful clarinet and my main instrument of choice, it does not try to be Buffet-like, going instead in its own unique direction. If you wanna get the R13 feel and sound, get an R13 or something very close to it--a YCL-650.
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2015-09-14 20:14
My R-13, after the Brannen's did their magic, is better than any other horn I've ever played. Keywork, intonation, clarity - smooth as silk. I also have a Libertas A and, while comparing apples and oranges, I prefer the feel of the Buffet. But they're both great instruments.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2015-09-14 20:56
Like Robert, in the post above, I love my "Brannenized" R13. Hard to do better. Now, that said... I find in reality that I'm using my Libertas more, due to type of gigs. Outdoor and theater pit jobs - no brainer - the Libertas. Totally in-tune, great sound, wonderful feel. In Chamber playing, I struggle between the R13 and my Selmer Series 10 - also "Brannenized." And lately, I grab my Leblanc Dynamic H! Puts them all to the test!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2015-09-14 23:16
Unless you're a seasoned veteran, capable of picking a particularly good R13, and/or can't afford to have it tweaked by Brannen/Grabner, etc. go for the Libertas. They are consistent, and are beautiful instruments to play - remarkably in tune, so you can concentrate on making music.
I have owned a few R13's in my day, most of the were "Brannenized", as I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I have not been a Buffet fan for about a decade or so. Yamaha, Ridenour, Backun, all put out much better instruments, IMO. As for R13 being the standard, I'm not so sure that's true anymore, if you were to poll professionals who got their jobs within the last 5-10 years. I see lots of Backun and Yamaha these days by the folks who are winning the auditions. I think the Libertas should be there, too, but the bias against non-wood instruments remains strong (for no reason).
I think Buffet is on the way out, and they have their quality control to blame. They still make some great instruments, but they also make some virtually unplayable dogs. I've had many students playing Buffets that were very sub-standard.
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2015-09-15 18:16
I was just playing on a Ridenour clarinet in A the other day. It put the R13 and old Selmer I have to shame.
Fernando
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