 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ashle TK
Date: 2016-05-17 22:11
I am currently looking to upgrade my clarinet. I current instrument is a yamaha 650, and the one previous to that was a 255. My teacher recommended an r13, but when I compared the r13 to a csvr and my 650, the r13 was really disappointing. The csvr was much warmer sounding and sounded much better than the pricier r13. Is that normal? I read that only about 3 in 10 r13s are really good and that the inconsistencies are characteristic of current Buffets. Seems like a lot of people recommend the r13, but why so few recommending the yamaha?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gwie
Date: 2016-05-17 22:29
In some areas there is still a strong "brand bias" despite the excellent instruments that are available from many different makers and companies. While you can't go wrong with a good Buffet R-13, the fact is that many players have found their voice on instruments from Selmer, Yamaha, Leblanc, Backun, Rossi, Eaton, Howarth, Uebel, just to name a few (there are so many others!). If you didn't have the chance to play more than one or two R-13's, I wouldn't dismiss them entirely as you might has just stumbled across a bad one.
Yamaha has come a long way in the past couple decades, and their ongoing research has contributed to some excellent instrument designs. I bought a pair of CSVR's last year and have been very impressed with their performance. The tonal characteristics are comparable to the R-13, I feel the intonation is better, the fit and finish is just superb, and at the moment they cost quite a bit less than their competition. A number of my private students selecting new instruments have chosen the CSVR over the many Buffet, Selmer, and Leblanc options available in the stores out here. They are all incredibly consistent, so despite some minor variation in feel, you don't have to try out 10-20 of them to find a "good" one.
There was a time when I would not have played anything but Buffet. Trying Yamaha's CSG model at the ClarinetFest in Vancouver nine years ago really opened my eyes to other options. They were really wonderful in sound and response, and played noticeably better than the instrument I had with me, a very good R-13 overhauled by the Brannens.
Post Edited (2016-05-17 22:30)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2016-05-18 01:12
Ridenour. Check out ridenourclarinetproducts.com LOTS of information in there. Extremely happy with my bass.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-05-18 01:26
I agree with the fact that Yamaha has come a long way in recent years. Back in the 70's they had a reputation for being "ok" Selmer knock-offs. Those days are gone. There are many top professionals playing Yamaha.
The bias toward the R13 (in particular) is that there is a tried and true result from the poly-cylindrical design. Yes, there can be some intonation inconsistencies from one R13 to another, but good ones still have a projection and resonance that are very hard to beat.
Having said that I own a pair of CSGs. It was just less work to find ones that played in tune for me.
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-05-18 02:18
I tried a CSVR about a year ago and liked it. Yamaha clarinets used to be fairly free blowing and there was not enough resistance in the altissimo. That seems to have changed. Yamaha workmanship is excellent. The unanswered question is why do you want a new clarinet?
Steve Ocone
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-05-19 09:29
Well a friend John Yeh with the Chicago Sym plays on a Yamaha, sounds great!
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ashle TK
Date: 2016-05-25 21:49
Thanks for all the input. I am mostly just curious about what is out there right now. I have been playing for just two years, but I made honor band the first time trying and plan to audition for the youth orchestra next year.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SonicManEXE
Date: 2016-05-26 05:05
I play on a 350DX (which is basically a 250 or any other typical student Yamaha, except it came with a wood barrel which I don't use anymore because of marching band and the fact that I was very sharp), and I'm slightly airy on it; in fact my open G is a nightmare.
One time half my upper joint pads fell out after a parade right before district festival, and one of my marching band techs let me borrow her Yamaha. I can't remember what it was (I think it was a 450AL), and I had the exact same airy sound problem. It was like I was playing my own instrument.
A few months ago I went to my local music store to try out their professional instruments, and I tried, IIRC, the CSVR (whichever one has the low F vent). Guess what? Same problem. I could not believe it. When I play my friend's unidentified wood Buffet with a small crack by the register key I have no airy sound issue.
Yamaha makes extremely consistent instruments, but for me that's not a good thing. Needless to say, I avoid Yamahas now. However, just because I don't personally like them doesn't mean they're bad. I've been lurking this forum long enough to know that for all the haters of one brand, there are an equal amount of haters for the brand you like. It's all personal taste. I would recommend trying to find a couple more R13s to try out because it's true that the first, second or even third time is not the charm, but if Yamaha works for you, that is awesome. I haven't picked out a new instrument yet (I'm currently in limbo between high school and college so I'm waiting to sort it out with my clarinet professors in the fall), but when I was trying them I happened to like the Buffets and even the Selmers. Basically, just try out what you can.
Good luck!
Jared
Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa, FL
Post Edited (2016-05-26 05:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Lowry
Date: 2016-05-26 05:25
It's easy for a teacher to recommend an r13, and for a student to buy one (assuming s/he has the money.) An old analogy applies -- no one got fired for buying IBM. In the case of clarinets, the teacher recommends "the best" and the student shows up for collegiate band/orchestra holding a clarinet that no one will look at and wonder why s/he got it. For years, the consensus was that "the best" was a Buffet r13. Now, even Buffet doesn't think so, as they market others costing thousands more. But there's still a cachet, well deserved, for the r13.
So it takes courage to recommend, as well as select, a different product. Fortunately, over the last 20 or so years, the level of courage required has gone down as the universe of excellent clarinets has expanded, and as the number of world-recognized pros have opted for different instruments.
Ashle, if you've only been playing two years, it's possible you don't have enough hours on the instrument to know what will be for your the best match of clarinet, mouthpiece, reeds, etc. So spending a price premium for the Buffet name may not in the long run get you the clarinet that will ultimately prove to be the best for you -- even if you could try 15 or 20 clarinets. Getting a very good clarinet which is not an r13 (and one which may prove to be excellent for you anyway) may be the best at this point.
I guess the point (or one point) I'm trying to make is that getting an r13 because it's an r13 could very well be a mistake. If, after trying it, and comparing it to many others that you've tried, you conclude that this is the best of the bunch -- buy it if your budget allows it. If it's not the best of the bunch, buy what's the best of the bunch for you.
So, take the time, try a bunch, with your teacher if you can, and select the one that plays best in tune for you, sounds the best, and which feels right ergonomically. It looks from your address that you live in the LA area, so there are probably several places you can go. Don't stop at the first store .... look (and play-test) around. And don't worry what people think. Let them judge you on how you play on a clarinet that works for you.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2016-05-26 06:08
I played a Yamaha SE A clarinet for years. Best clarinet I owned. Played a LeBlanc Ambiance Bb. Preferred both to Buffet models. Go with what you feel is the best instrument that will advance your playing.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
