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Re: What is wrong with Buffet?

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-10-27 07:21

John wrote -

>Buffet did not "shove the new R13 model down our throats". That's absurd. They changed the design, minutely, and people still liked it, bought it.

It's a major bore change. It has been well documented that they wanted a larger bore to copy the Selmer's bore. They tune to 440 and below in the upper register. That is a big chance. There is no client support. They do not warranty their $500 plus NEW cases that can bend keys. Another major change. They were working on the design with - guess who? Tony Gigliotti! Surprised? You shouldn't be. Thus a major bore change, not a minor change. Did you notice all of the different 10 series Selmers? Tony wasn't happy. Look at the dates for verification.

I guess I should have used this case and after every rehearsal and every concert send the clarinet back to Florida for bent key adjustments. That would be everyday. Soon the keys would snap and break. Then use one of my other 8 sets of horns? The horn was under warranty. Does this make sense?

They Do Not Care. Fix and mend broken keys or replace or fix a bad case. OMG! Are they insane? It is a no brainer!

So I left them for a better instrument. I'm not the only one. I didn't write this thread, just commenting on it. I sold 8 sets of Buffet clarinets, not 8 clarinets, but 8 sets, in frustration. Some going back to the 1960's. The Yamaha's tune better and play better. I offered my help to Buffet for free. They didn't even respond to the offer. Yes the sound of a Yamaha and a Buffet may be a shade different, but it will not keep you out of a major orchestra? If anything you may have a better chance with a Yamaha because the A clarinets are so great. The best I've ever played on.

If people want to test 15 to 30 Buffet horns before buying one and then spend another $500 to $1000 or more fixing their new horns go for it. My loyalty is sadly gone and I'm not the only one. This thread proves it.

I'd rather test 3 Yamaha's and pick the one that fits my sound requirements. There is no longer that need to test 20 horns and hope you find something decent. Yamaha has them.

Buffet screwed up. It is that simple. With this huge thread going on and on, maybe someone at Buffet will read this and do something. They had 8 months to fix my issues and hire me for free to help them, before I became a Yamaha Artist. Needless to say I will never jump ship and leave Yamaha.

I wish Buffet well and I am thankful that we have other choices now. Also thank you Selmer for your outstanding Signature clarinet.

One last comment, if Yamaha did a better job putting their top horns in the music stores most likely Yamaha would outsell Buffet. The problem right now is it is hard to find pro line Yamaha's in music stores. So before you buy that Buffet, ask your store to order a Yamaha CSVR, just one to test. Compare it to 20 Buffets. Let me know which one you pick.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

Post Edited (2017-10-27 07:32)

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2017-10-18 02:12