Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-03-20 20:53
For the record I am NOT selling Yamaha's. I can't even get Yamaha to send me a few A clarinet barrels to try out. Longer barrels. I've been asking them for some barrels since August, 2016.
I'm only selling Steuer reeds at cost, no profits are made. In fact I took a hit this year on taxes. I do this to get people away from Rico and Rico using Pesticides on ALL of their reed. I don't want fellow musicians getting requiring surgeries or other complications related to pesticides. Notice I haven't raised my prices is 4 years now? The Steuer company has every year, but my prices have remained the same.
As for mouthpieces I also lost money this year having a new expensive mold made. $75,000. These may be out by the ClarinetFest time, late July and the cost will be at a non profit cost. Probably around $125 or so. I'm not sure yet, as the mold is not completed. Don't be fooled by the cost. I wouldn't spend $75,000 on a mold if I didn't think these mouthpieces would be something really, really, great. Maybe the mold won't work and I will have wasted $75,000? It's a gamble. Just as other companies take gambles and maybe make better horns now compared to Buffet.
My goals are to Make Clarinet Playing Fun, Not Expensive.
I'm a good guy, but if some of you wish to ADD things to what I write feel free to. I have to buy the Steuer reeds just like everyone else, I have to buy my mouthpieces, and I had to pay for the Yamaha's, but I did get a slight discount. Yamaha does NOT give out free horns to any of the top pros. We all still pay.
Go out and buy a set of the top $10,000 Buffet horns, it surely won't make this high school kid play with a bigger, bolder, sound. In fact his sound close up will be "Pretty," but in a hall that pretty sound probably won't carry. He might be better off playing on the new Bliss clarinets, to feel that freedom. It's no secret that I feel the same way about the $19,000 Buckun's. I hate the M series Vandoren mouthpieces because they tune flat, and the Zinner mouthpieces don't project enough. When you put these on any R13's you sound great close up, but in a hall your sound is DEAD!
I totally agree that this person was out of place saying that the Buffet's were too resistant, but lets be fair, she is right. We don't know the whole story here. Maybe the kid likes to play a bit of jazz. It can be done on Buffet's, but be honest, it is much harder. Julian Bliss plays a lot of jazz. These Blizz horns are open and he sounds very good on them. I recently played the Copland Concerto on the Yamaha and it was much easier to hit the highest notes without fear, bend the notes, and fill that dead hall, compared to any of the Buffet's I've ever owned. (In 48 years.) Even the orchestra members liked the Yamaha over the 1966 Buffet during the rehearsals. We know the newer Buffets are worse.
I repeat, I don't think Buffet clarinets are the best horns on the market anymore. Go out and try other horns. You just might change your mind and enjoying playing music even more... This happened to me and I surely hope it happens to all of you!
Bob
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2017-03-20 21:49)
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