 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: jthole
Date: 2017-06-28 17:47
Yesterday I had the chance to play a 1962's Buffet Crampon BC-20 Bes clarinet. The instrument recently had a check-up, and all pads looked and felt good (I did not perform a suction test, but everything spoke very easily). I'm in love with its tone, but intonation is slightly less good than my Buffet Crampon Continentale from 1972. The wood looks great, no cracks or repairs, with a smooth looking bore. The silver plated keywork looks less good, with a deep scratch on one of the side keys, and a bit of play in the mechanism. I don't know when the wood was oiled the last time, but it looked to be in good condition (black, shiny, smooth feel).
Here's the thing; I don't need another clarinet, but this instrument, with its full tone and big volume, would be great for jazz (which I want to get back into anyway, after having played classical only for the past years), and for taking with me on business travel. I'm not worried about the wood or the pads, but I am certain that the mechanics will need an overhaul at some point. Like I said, tuning (throat tones) is a bit sharp, even at 442 Hz, but the altissimo is to die for. Way fuller and more open than on my other clarinets. The tone across the registers is beautiful and very even, and it was very easy to go from pp to FFF without the sound getting ugly.
The seller discussed price, and we came now down to €600. I am wondering if this is a reasonable deal, or if I should let this pass. I'm not looking for a bargain really, but I also do not want to put my money into something unreasonable ;-) This is a 55 years old instrument that probably will need a full overhaul sometime in the next 3 years (my assumption), and the volume will scare my band director to death ;-) ... but it sounds great!
My heart says "buy" but my head says that it's a lot of money for an old piece of wood that certainly needs proper maintenance in the near future.
What would you do?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-06-28 19:11
If in doubt, wait for a better BC20 to come up for sale. The market has been flooded with used clarinets for some time now. There's no need to settle for an instrument with issues.
Post Edited (2017-06-28 19:12)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-06-28 20:06
I just serviced a BC20 and it was collected yesterday. I measured the barrel and it was 65.5mm.
If it's mainly the throat notes that are sharp, then they can be flattened by using a longer barrel as that will have more effect on the tuning of the notes at the top end of the instrument compared to notes nearer the bell.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2017-06-28 21:12
>> If it's mainly the throat notes that are sharp, then they can be flattened by using a longer barrel >>
...or by tuning them.
I've said this here before, but anyone involved in moving the pitch of instruments a few vibrations up or down – as we sometimes have to do with period instruments – is well aware that very many of the throat tones (G, G#, and to a lesser extent because of the Bb problem, A) are completely independent of the rest of the instrument, and can be adjusted without difficulty.
The BC20 was a good instrument, in my opinion.
Tony
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jthole
Date: 2017-06-29 00:50
Thanks all for your advice! It makes sense indeed that the throat tones can be tuned independently. The longer barrel was a solution I already thought about as well. I had a quick chat with a well known local woodwind tech (Ton Kooiman) as well, and he thought it would be worth buying.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Richie
Date: 2017-06-29 04:28
I'm assuming you're already using resonance fingerings on the throat tones, I suppose a new barrel could help, make sure you get one that will match the unique bore of the BC20; that would make a greater difference. I'd say go for it--sounds like a steal.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-06-29 06:26
You're the only person who can determine how much you need/want the instrument, but if it were me, at that price I'd buy it and deal with any issues later. Remember, it's very important to differentiate between need and want. You don't have to need something to want it. If you did, life would be boring.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ClarinettyBetty
Date: 2017-06-29 09:46
My BC20 Eb has been an excellent purchase. I have a longer barrel because the throat tones were sharp, but now it plays very well in tune.
As far as older horns are concerned, tune-ups are just part of the deal. Even many brand new horns need a trip to the repair person, so you might as well get what you want.
Best of luck to you.
-----------------------
Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc
https://gentrywoodwinds.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-06-29 10:47
On the whole, the build quality of the BC20 is far better than the majority of new Buffets. In typical Buffet style it has that crap springing on the F#/C# key, but that can be changed to springing it in the normal manner. There's no reason to have this key sprung as it is.
I do this as a matter of course on all Buffets I work on as there is plenty of room in the pillar to fit the spring and a much longer and more suitable gauge spring can be used instead of the short one that digs into the slot cut into the wood. With the longer and heavier gauge spring in place, it can be balanced much better and easier making the F#/C# key action feel better and more positive.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeroen
Date: 2017-06-30 15:57
€600 sounds like a good deal. Is it the one at Terpstra's?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jthole
Date: 2017-06-30 16:07
Jeroen wrote:
> €600 sounds like a good deal. Is it the one at Terpstra's?
Yes, played it, and agreed on €600 ... they accepted, and after having tested it today again, I have picked it up. It goes to "my" tech (Ton Kooiman) for an inspection on Monday.
So that one is not for sale anymore :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeroen
Date: 2017-06-30 17:11
Congrats! I've played it a while ago. It felt too open for me at that moment and for what I was looking for. But certainly good for jazz!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jthole
Date: 2017-06-30 17:38
Jeroen wrote:
> Congrats! I've played it a while ago. It felt too open for me
> at that moment and for what I was looking for. But certainly
> good for jazz!
I know what you mean, and "open with a big sound" was exactly what I was looking for. I already have a very good clarinet for wind band and small ensemble settings.
Edit: it works very well with my Portnoy BP02 mouthpiece.
Post Edited (2017-07-01 18:37)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
