 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Toffeeman
Date: 2017-05-25 23:50
Hi all
I am anew member so hello to you all.
I have been on a long journey staring with a wooden B&H clarinet which cracked along the upper joint. I replace this with a resin B&H before moving on to a Kholer Tenor sax.
All that was when I was at school. More recently in my 50's I have been drawn to the magic of woodwing again. i saw a second hanb B&H ABS clarinet in my local second hand shop and decided to buy it. Having little knowledge about repairs I took it to my local dealer who more or les said it is a piece of junk not worth having but sold me a Buffet mouthpiece for £5.
Next I decided to buy a new one so purchased a blue Slade clarinet which was OK in the lower register but awful in the clarion. I became aware that 1.5 reeds seem to jam up inthe upper register so changed to a 2 which was better. Not really knowing if the poor playing was down to me or the instrument I decided to buy a Bundy. This also never worked in the clarion register so eventually I purchased a Yamaha 23N. What a revelation! I had the confidence to know it was the choice of clarinet not me.
I then bought a buffet B12 more out of curiosity than anything else but this again was similar to the Yamaha but slightly better I would say as well as moving to a 2.5 reed.
Now i am more or less happy but want to know what would be the best next step? I am considering a Buffet E11 or a Yamaha 450
johnpj1000@yahoo.com
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-05-26 00:42
I vote for the 450.
E11 seems a little too "loose" and free blowing for my taste. But, I'd try both the Buffet and Yamaha.
Also, if considering a silver-plated 450, the Yamaha 650 (silver plating is standard) is only a little more ... The 650 is Yamaha's entry level pro clarinet.
If you have the money, the Yamaha CSVR or SEVR are highly praised.
Tom
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Author: Toffeeman
Date: 2017-05-26 11:00
Thanks Tom,
I am hoping there will be a big improvement in the sound quality/playability between my B12 and either the 450 or the E11
johnpj1000@yahoo.com
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Author: jthole
Date: 2017-05-26 11:29
What's wrong with the B12 and a proper mouthpiece and barrel?
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-05-26 21:00
Try as many as you can, but be sure you have them all in front of your at once (it's difficult to remember how a clarinet played for more a few minutes) ... and bring a tuner and another pair of ears. Use the same MP/reed and the "stock" barrel during your trial.
Last poster is correct ... you might tweak you barrel and MP on the B12 and see if that works for you. No point in spending much more money if you can make do with what you have.
Tom
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-26 21:47
Nothing wrong with the B12 I love it but I was wondering if the next instrument up would be even better. If i can stay with the B12 knowing that it is fine then I can save money moving up to an intermediate wooden model..what do you think?
07469847273
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-05-26 22:30
Hi, John...
If you're still using the Buffet mouthpiece sold to you by your local dealer, I strongly recommend upgrading that before searching for a new clarinet. While it isn't a horrible mouthpiece, the Yamaha 23N and Buffet B12 are capable of much higher levels of musical expression than can be realised with the plastic Buffet mouthpiece. In other words, you won't come close to tapping into the full potential of either instrument until you upgrade your mouthpiece.
Splurge on a good mouthpiece before splurging on yet another clarinet.
I'd wager good money that you'd find your Buffet B12 fitted with a Portnoy BP01 mouthpiece to be a better-sounding instrument than the Yamaha YCL-450 played with either its stock Yamaha mouthpiece or your current Buffet mouthpiece.
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-27 18:19
Thanks Ursa,
I am getting the impression that a great mouthpiece could make a big difference even more than moving to a more expensive wooden modal. I have just bid on a Vandoren B44 on e-bay.What is your view on that one?
John
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-27 19:50
I have a few questions about mouthpieces if anyone can help?
I have a Yamaha Y12 mouthpiece which has a rounded base in the apature and also a Yamaha 4c. Of the two I prefer the Y12 but I cant find any info. about it on the web. I am assuming it is an old model can anyone critique it for me. I heard that of the cheaper mouthpieces the 4c is recomended as well.
As for my buffet mouthpieces both are the same but Buffet dont put a model number on their mouthpieces so how do you know which model you have?
Finally does anyone know about Bundy clarinets? I have one which does not play right despite having no leaks? I know it is a uS clarinet and would expext Selmer to be good. My impression is that it is somewhere in the range of a B&H regent is that a fair assessment?
Thanks,
John
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-05-27 21:23
Last few weeks I have had great success with the Reserve X0 and the Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds. For about the price of a Vandoren, I'd check out the Reserve. On a recent vintage R13/greenline and stock barrel, tuning is very good for me ...
Tom
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-05-27 22:45
Hi, John:
I don't have any experience with the B44. On paper, the specifications suggest that it's a middle-of-the-road choice--just what you need at this point in your playing career.
The plastic Buffet mouthpieces aren't stamped with a model number. They're often referred to as a "B12 stock mouthpiece".
The Bundy--unless it's clearly stamped with "577" near the upper joint logo--is a large-bore instrument (.590" bore) not unlike the B&H Regent/1-10 (.593" bore). Both instruments can play well if in good repair. This type of instrument has generally fallen out of favour for classical clarinet study and performance beyond the beginning stages. Still, they're fine "no worries" choices for outdoors playing. I have one of each in my studio and find the B&H to be a more refined overall choice--specifically, response between the registers is much more even than with the Bundy.
If a lessons student came to me with a Bundy, Regent, YCL-23, and B12 in good repair and asked me to pick one out to get started with, I'd select the Yamaha YCL-23. The key work on the Yamaha is tougher than that of the other three models and has a better chance of staying in regulation over the long term. The bore design is less unlike that of a modern professional clarinet versus the Bundy and Regent, and promises an easier transition to an upgraded instrument should that time ever come.
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-27 23:00
Hi Ursa,
Thank you so much for your great experience it helps a lot. So far the B12 just outshines the 23N for me in terms of the sound and overall smooth feel of the body and keys.
Having said that I have a really nice Rico 2.5 reed which plays well on both instruments so I think it is the reed I will stay with until I learn more about the instruments in general.
I am finding that the Buffet mouthpiece plays better when on the Buffet and the same with the Yamaha.
The next knowledge gap for me is the difference the barrell makes. It seem such a small part of the instrument to be so important.
Another thing I have found is that all the different models I have do not fit each other so there is no standard fit. i watched a guy on e bay use plumbers tape so I have done the same.
Thanks again!
John
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-28 01:12
My Korg tuning aid always shows the pitch to be sharp or flat on every instrument. Can I trust the tuner or is it the instrument?
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2017-05-28 01:43
If you would like to double check your tuner you could use a tuner application for your smartphone or tablet. I can recommend "Instrument tuner", it works even better than some dedicated tuners.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-05-28 01:44
Trust the tuner.
Right now, your equipment is in a state of flux. Tuning can be influenced by using too hard or too soft of a reed; mouthpiece design; the appropriateness of a given mouthpiece for a given clarinet; clarinet design; pad height above tone holes; your embouchure, air support, room temperature...
Once you've settled on a mouthpiece, reeds, and a clarinet that seem promising, you'll have to fine-tune your technique to get the most accurate tuning.
This is going to take time and effort. Relax. Rome wasn't built in a day.
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-28 14:51
does anyone know if the Vandore B44 is make from hard rubber?
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Author: toffeeman3
Date: 2017-05-28 14:59
Wow! I didnt know any of that stuff. still the journey is enjoyable
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-05-29 04:17
I have an e11. Honestly I wouldn't waste your money.
Wait till you are ready for Pro and go straight there.
The intonation on the third register isn't great on the e11.
Don't forget to consider the lyrique. Priced cheaper than the e11, but would be classed as pro.
I think the r13 and the Yamaha crsv are nicer than the lyrique. But anything under those, I feel the lyrique wins hands down
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