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Re: Should I get an R13?

Author: TomS
Date: 2017-06-12 02:08

Although I have not played many traditional wooden R13s lately, I suspect you can find some that have a similar resistance to the greenline versions. I think most of the resistance differences are minor bore variations and pad height adjustments. The bore steps in the greenline are very apparent visually, the Libertas and Yamaha 650 are polished very smooth ... It's almost like the R13 bore was polished before the final bore steps (near the top of the top joint) were machined, with possibly a little additional polishing to blend everything. I think polishing the bore could be risky if not well regulated, you could certainly polish the bore out of spec. ...

The Libertas is more free blowing than the R13 ... the Yamaha 650 is a more free blowing than the Libertas. The 650 has slightly more "weight" in the sound, as an average, over the Libertas, especially in the lower register, this might be that wood is heavier/denser than hard rubber. The R13 has even more "weight" but comparatively "stuffy" ... but, a nice continuity of blowing from note to note but not as smooth over the break as the others, especially the Libertas.

Tuning wise, not sure ... my 650 has quite sharp throat tones, but a longer barrel fixes this with few bad artifacts with the rest of the notes ... almost like the instrument is about 1-1.25mm short. The Libertas probably has the best overall tuning ... but honestly, the others are pretty good too ... slightly gobsmacked that the R13 is better than expected.

Frankly, (and I hate to admit this), one reason I picked up an R13/greenline is so that others (in the better ensembles) won't look at me askance. It's my immediate ticket to acceptance and the Buffet Brotherhood. And, I wanted a base line to compare other makes and models.

Just buy one of each ... problem solved! Libertas/CSVR/R13 greenline ... they all have personality and are fun to play.

Tom

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Should I get an R13? new

GenEric

2017-06-11 11:53