Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-08-14 04:35
At the ICA Clarinet Fest in Orlando a couple of weeks ago, I got to try both the CSVR and the SEVR. I was disappointed that they didn't have the SE Artist there, and nobody seemed to know why.
The Yamaha reps told me the SEVR has a slightly larger bore than the CSVR. The CSVR is a very even sounding instrument rather like a very good Buffet R13 but with a different kind of ring or "ping" sound. If you want the original R13 ping, I'd say you have to go up in price and get a well-selected, set-up Buffet R13 Prestige (of which there were many fine examples at the fest). If you like the sound of the CSVR, it is probably unrivaled in evenness, tuning, and response. I found the SEVR had a slightly bigger sound and a very wide dynamic range. I could not believe how easy it is to go from ppp to ffff and back on it without the tone getting shrill or breaking. The SEVR has a ping to it but, again, not the same ping you get from a good Buffet R13 Prestige. It tunes as well as the CSVR and has a very even scale, with maybe a slightly rounder sound.
One more clarinet that impressed me was the Selmer Seles Presence model. It is very different from the Signature or the Recital. Less covered sound and less resistance. Very easy to blow and control, and great focus and resonance in the sound. I suspect that with the right mouthpiece, the Presence might actually have more of the characteristic Buffet R13 ring than the Yamahas. (I know I'm going to catch flack for saying that.) Is it just as good (for about $700.00 more) as the Yamahas? I'm not sure. I need to go back somehow and play the SEVR, CSVR, Seles Presence, and a good Buffet R13 Prestige side by side to really be sure.
All four of these seem to me to be excellent clarinets, certainly way better than the typical R13 out the box these days. I didn't hear any big flaws or drawbacks in any of them. Of course, they all have some weak points--all clarinets do--but any weakness in these 4 can easily be compensated for by a good player. And, let me add that despite the enthusiasm of many here (including me) for the new Yamahas, I can easily see that many orchestral players might still prefer the sound of a well-selected, expertly set up Buffet Prestige R13 and be willing to pay more for that.
Post Edited (2017-08-31 03:24)
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
