 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-06-07 01:40
For those who are able to try out current models and compare them, I was wondering what the readers thought might be the "best" Buffet Bb clarinet currently in production.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-06-07 01:43
. . . how embarrassing. BUffet, not BEffet.
. . . Old age and long hours . . .
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-06-07 01:56
The FESTIVAL or PRESTIGE or a finely selected R-13.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2001-06-07 02:06
I've never cared for the sound of the Festivals. And if i remember right, the Prestige has the same bore and tuning specs as the R-13, just has the alt. Eb key and silver keys standard and unstained wood.
I personally love the new Vintage horns. But truely, if you have the money, the best bet is to buy a clarinet set up by Brannen or Tim Clark (did my A), or Rick Sayre (if he does pre-setup horns).
Daniel
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-06-07 02:31
Love the festival but if price is no objection then th prestige, I'm all for it!!
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Author: Jonathan
Date: 2001-06-07 05:10
Festivals Rule!!!!!!!!! My Bb - hand picked from the factory is a superb clarinet - the best I've ever played in my life. A matching A was picked at the same time but the people at Buffet sold it off to someone. GRRRR!!!! Anyway they (people at buffet) picked out (supposedly) three of the best A festivals for me and sent them out to Australia - I'm currently trying them - all three are very good, one is absolutely fantastic and i have to make a decision as to whether I think a better one could be at the factory or not. The DG was also a favourite but they don't make them any more. Next was Vintage, RC, Elite, R13 Prestige, RC Prestige, R13 in that order. (For my taste and setup - which both are probably going to be different from yours and everyone elses)
Sara - I believe that Festivals (which are part of the prestige instrument line i believe) RC Prestiges, R13 Prestiges, and Vintages (aslo prestige line) should all cost the same price.
Also the reason I picked Festival was that i found it and the Vintages (and DG's when they were around) had a more adaptable tone colour than the RCs and Elite. Also I like the extra side Eb key. :-)
Jonathan Farquhar
When it comes down to it all Prestige models and RC and R13 are great, its just what works for you that matters. Also you will always get bad clarinets in all models so you should try out quite a few of every model before you make a judgement.
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-06-07 05:23
Whats the difference between all of these models? Like the Prestige and Vintage?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-06-07 05:29
I know which Buffet Model (or Leblanc, Yamaha, Rossi, Eaton, etc.) is the best ---- it's the one that sounds the BEST when YOU PLAY IT !
Regards,
mw
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Author: Mindy
Date: 2001-06-07 13:03
MW-----that is soooo true 
I like the reg. R-13 but I have never played on anything else so I can't really answer this question. NOw I have heard some bad things about the greenline it is a pretty bad instrument. But that is what I heard.
Mindy
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-06-07 15:06
The REAL vintage clarinets are great if you find a good one. My teacher dissagrees strongly but I don't care.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2001-06-07 18:59
Allow me to spend my two cents worth and give my opinion. Having played on a Prestige, Festival, Greenline, Vintage, and a regular R13... i found that i absolutely adored the Prestige and Vintage. The Prestige had a heavier sound to me and the Vintage a sweeter sound. Upon talking to my private teacher who plays on a Vintage and trying his i prefered his Vintage to the Prestige i played. The moral of the story is... it's hard to say which is best, you have to try them all and see what works for you. I currently play on a Regular R13 and i absolutely love her! I'm going to Vincent Marinelli to get my A and i'm looking forward to it being a regular R13 just like my Bb. I see no need at this point in investing in the Eb key. I've learned so many ways to work past the difficult passage without it Now that i've digressed... i guess my final answer is the Vintage!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-07 21:17
I've only heard good things about the greenline. In fact, I had thought about buying one for outdoor concerts (we do a lot of them) and heard that Ricardo Morales is playing a greenline Festival.
But, I've owned several R-13s and one Prestige and hated the R-13 and the Prestige and swore off Buffets all together until I played a half dozen at my friend's music store about a month ago. I found one R-13 that was crystal clear with the Bb key (usually fuzzy) and had excellent intonation and a beautiful sound very much like my favorite Opus. He made me a good deal and now I'm eating my words about Buffet. I'm going to have it Brannenized because that's a really, really good thing to do. So, yes there are good Buffets out there. I highly advise going somewhere where you can play several before deciding.
And, Jonathan, if you've found a FANTASTIC Festival you'd better quit while you're ahead. The grass is always greener on the other side, you know. I've found a lot of disappointment in constantly seeking after a "better" clarinet. When you find one you like, no matter what kind it is, take it to heart and play it.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-06-08 05:51
Going back to the differences between the different models:
RC and Prestige RC's have a different shape in the bell for a different tone color. (I've never played one, so I don't know if it's an advantage or not).
R-13 and Prestige R-13 are practically the same instrument except: Standard silver plated keys, Eb/Ab lever, "premium" quality wood, and Gore-tex pads. The same specs are true for the RC and Prestige RC.
The Vintage goes back to the 'original' R-13 made in the 1950's. Some say they were the best ever made. I don't know and I never tried the Vintage clarinet. I've heard nothing but good things about it.
The Festival is nearly identical to the Prestige R-13. The bore is in the same "family" and there's really no real difference in the specs. I've heard that the register tube is placed 1mm higher, but I don't know for sure. I posted on the boosey website for information on the differences.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
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Author: Carl L
Date: 2001-06-08 14:07
O.K., I'm just getting back to the clarinet after fifteen years...but I DO play the tuba (over 35 years) in both polka and Dixieland groups and spend summers pickin' a banjo and bowing a fiddle for various Bluegrass groups. My point is I've been around varied musicians and instruments for a long time. Years ago I played tuba exclusively in a Dixieland band down in Florida. The clarinet player (he passed away last year, regretably) had the best chops and coolest sound of any horn player I'd played along side. We got into the "best horn" controversy and he said, "Hey, I play whatever ax sound good to me." He was currently playing a horn that you couldn't read the name, it was so beat up. A long-wided way of saying it's whatever horn fits you best. By the way, try finding as left-handed banjo if you want a real experience. Or hump a 65 pound sousaphone around Disneyland in 95% weather. You clarinet people (which I am proud to number myself as part of) should be grateful your horn is portable and light. You all have a great day...and let's get that practice session in now.
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