 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tanoh
Date: 2017-09-04 12:19
I recently got a job at a music store that is partnered with buffet crampon. This opens up many opportunities for me to get buffet instruments for very, very cheap. Would an Eb clarinet from buffet at a discounted price be worth it? Does anyone have any experience playing with buffet instruments? Usually I would just try out a few of the clarinets and then make a decisions but I am unable to schedule a session to test them. All suggestions help. Thank you!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-09-04 12:48
If it's an E11, R13, RC or any other Buffet Eb clarinet, then they are worth it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-09-04 16:44
Depends how well in tune it plays. I used one for years and loved it but it was from the late 50s.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: DG74
Date: 2017-09-04 18:49
I love mine. Buffet R13 - I know there's a lot of talk on this board about poor quality control from Buffet, but I found mine to be an excellent horn, with great intonation. I bought it new a couple of years ago from Woodwind & Brasswind; I had a few pads reseated for a better seal but otherwise no issues.
I used to have a vintage Leblanc LL eefer that had significant intonation issues, especially in the altissimo. The Buffet plays circles around it.
If you are interested in playing Eb and can get a discount, you're in a very lucky position. I really enjoy Eb and look for opportunities to play it; there's a learning curve, and you really have to find a good mouthpiece and reeds (I highly recommend Clark Fobes' mouthpiece).
Good luck and have fun with it!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-09-04 18:55
I have a 1962 Buffet Eb which I bought in a terrible state as it was a former school or college marching band instrument. I completely rebuilt it and it's one of the nicest and easiest playing Eb clarinets I and other players have tried. Only downside for me is it's a standard 17 key 6 ring clarinet and I prefer clarinets with extra keywork (such as the forked Eb/B and LH Ab/Eb). It plays much easier than any Noblet Eb I've tried and is head and shoulders above any Vito Eb which sound like toys by comparison.
Obviously no brand new Buffet is going to be perfect and will only have passed basic quality control before leaving the factory, so there's a lot that can be improved on.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SonicManEXE
Date: 2017-09-05 02:23
I have not ever extensively played a Buffet Eb, but I imagine an R13 or any other professional level that Buffet offers that's been set up by a reputable repair person would be great.
In high school the school board actually gave us money for new instruments because of our situation (old music suite, mold, etc.), so my band director ordered a wood, professional-level Yamaha. I played it with a B44 and V12s, and it felt somewhat comfortable. However, when I met up with a friend at another school at festival, I had my Yamaha and his school had just gotten a Selmer Recital, with left-hand Eb key and everything. We tried switching horns for a minute and we actually liked each other's better than the ones we had. It all depends on what you like and what feels comfortable to you.
Also, the university I'm at now has an old Normandy that has clearly not been in the best of hands in the possible 50+ years it could have been owned by the school. I played it with with the same B44 but V21 reeds (a more similar setup to my Bb) and I got it to sound decent, but the mpc and barrel rolled all over the joint because of how far I had to pull out. My friend who is now playing it in ensembles got a MoBa barrel and she claims it makes her much more in tune, and she certainly sounds great on the B44 that was left in it and V12s. I think it further proves my point that as long as the horn is functioning and in decent shape, it really is up to preference and the mouthpiece + reeds you use on it.
Jared
Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa, FL
Post Edited (2017-09-05 02:24)
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