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Comparing my current R13 to my starting E11 France

Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-08-01 21:03

Ever since I got my R13 nearly 2 years ago, I've stop playing on my E11 France and put it in my closet, unless I perform in an outdoor gig or play in the stands for our high school football games. So I haven't compared the two for a long time.

The original E11 was made by Schreiber in Germany, and the E11 France was produced after Buffet bought the Leblanc Factory in France, and they basically told Schreiber to stop making their E11's, but continue making their B10 & B12 clarinets, as well as intermediate level oboes. [Source: https://www.kesslerandsons.com/blog/the-confusing-history-of-the-buffet-e11-clarinet/]

When I bought my R13, I tested around 10 of them, and also compared them to my E11 France. At the time, I felt the R13 was just way better as it gave me a sound with more depth, although I felt I had to use more air.

I got my E11 France out of the closet yesterday to play it, God know why. I guess I just wanted to see how much difference there was. However, after playing on both for a good amount of time, I realized that I like the sound I got on the E11 France better than my R13! Yes the R13 gives more depth to the sound, but the E11 France gives me a warmer, rounder tone. I wouldn't call it dark.

Although I still think the R13 is easier to control than the E11 France though. I just think the E11 France has a better sound, never said it was the better horn in my opinion.

What can be the explanation for this? How can a student/intermediate level clarinet produce a warmer, rounder sound than a professional level clarinet, especially of the same brand? What are some of the structural differences between the two horns that cause a big difference? When I got the E11 France is 6th grade, I think I remember them saying that the "improvements" was that the bore was slightly narrower and that there was no bell ring. The keywork feels slightly different as well.

Just a high school senior who wants to learn how instrument design can affect the sound/tone. And a curious homo sapien who wants to learn the "why/how" aspect instead of just the "wow" aspect. [cool]