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Re: Restore my R13 or save up for new in a few years?

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-11-13 10:51

Hi Musikat

Really good questions here. The 1977 R13 I think was the early redesigned larger bore. Fellow readers can surely correct me on this one. So the question I have is what is it worth? If it's the smaller bore yes I would seriously consider redoing it.

First off I wouldn't silver plate the keys, unless you are deeply attached to the horn. If the horn was in the 1960's or late 1950's and played like a dream I'd think about nickel plating it. Here's why. This is just what I've noticed through many years. Nickel plated horns outsell silver plating. It's not the cost either. In fact some players go to great lengths to have the posts buffed out, removal of the plating, silver or nickel. Are they nuts? Well many years ago I worked at Rico and my horns were ripped off. Included were 3 Selmer Mark 6 saxes. People that buy these 1960's Mark 6 horns now do NOT want them plated. Just buffed out. They all claim the sound changes. In fact if they are replated/relacquered the price drops about $2000 and up.

I've actually been tempted to remove the silver plating on one of my Yamaha clarinets. Just to see if it made a difference. I know there will be a difference, but will the effort be of any benefit? The horns play so well the desire to tackle such a job just isn't worth it, but I may mess with the posts on the upper joint and start there. Then make a decision.

So if you keep your Buffet, go nickel or leave it alone. There is this cool guy that works for Yamaha, but also works on Buffet's. In fact I was talking with him about a month ago and he was working on Robert Marcellus's old clarinets! So if you decide to restore your horn this is the person I would go to. He is in NYC. Email me if you want to restore the Buffet. He even makes barrels so maybe he can fix some of the tuning issues.

The only thing I would ask of you is to test the latest horns. You may want to wait just 2 more months. The reason is Yamaha always introduces their latest new pro horns. Last year they came out with 2. I think they may do the same this year at the NAMM Convention. Leblanc was talking about a pro Bliss horn coming out. This is coming from the mouth Julian Bliss himself. We know each other a bit. It might be worth seeing if it shows up at NAMM.

Good luck! Oh, I played a mess of horns for about 8 months and went with the Yamaha CSVR's. Are there better horns? I don't know. The Selmer Signature was excellent, but it did not play like a Buffet, so you will need an adjustment period. Buffet topline horns are hard to find several of them to test. Your choice is therefore limited.

Not long ago someone that subs with the National Sym said my horns sounded better than Loren Kitt (sadly passed away) who played on CSVR's, I was a tad bit angry. Maybe I just have a better sound! So the Yamaha's are very good to test out. You do not have to play 10 or 15 Yamaha's. Just a few will do. They are set up ready to play a concert that night. If you have trouble finding a store that has one hit me up with an email.

I have a strong feeling Yamaha will have another pro line. CS - something at NAMM. A smaller bore compared to the SEVR series.

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

Yamaha Artist 2015

Post Edited (2017-11-13 11:20)

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