 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Esteban Slutzky
Date: 2020-06-17 20:38
Hi,
I will consider myself as an advanced beginner clarinetist.
I haven't played in long time and now it's just a hobby. As my current clarinet (Armstrong 4008 20+ years old) is not in good condition I'm thinking to by a new one.
I don't want to spend a lot as as mentioned it will be just a hobby. I was thinking to get the YCL-255 or Buffet Prodige. I couldn't find anywhere a comparison or discussion between them.
I know it will be very personal but I would like to know the thoughts between those two.
Thanks in Advance
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2020-06-17 22:38
Well, I haven't played the Prodige. My daughter played the YCL-255 for a couple years before moving up. I'm sure the Prodige is a well designed horn. It's certainly gotten decent enough reviews. But there's been enough written about the inconsistency of Buffet's manufacturing that I'm not sure it would/should be a first choice. On the other hand, my daughter's experience with the Yamaha was excellent, and it surprised me. Reading a lot of people's experiences here with Yamaha clarinets, including the YCL-255s, its safe to say that their manufacturing consistency is not to be beat. I think it can be safely concluded that you couldn't go wrong there. Get the Yamaha.
Doug
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2020-06-17 22:55
Yes, much depends on how well the seller has set up the instrument. Some sellers have techs to go over the instruments and put them in playable shape (which even new instruments often need). A Prodige in tip-top shape may give a more appealing tone quality but a YCL-255 may be more ready to play out the box without additional adjustment. There is a short comparison of the YCL-255 with the Prodige (along with a third instrument, the OCL-400 from Selmer) on YouTube:
Scroll down to "Best Sudents Clarinets"
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Best+student+clarinet+comparison+ycl+250+Prodige.
This is far from the last word, but worth listening to.
Post Edited (2020-06-18 21:26)
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2020-06-17 23:20
I have a Prodige. I added a barrel and bell from Brad Behn, and that has really made it into quite a nice instrument.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-06-18 21:07
Hi Robert N - How did the bell and the barrel help? I'm getting into barrel and bell making and I'm studying weights, densities, different woods, linings of barrels. Any info would help as I finish up these designs. Thanks
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-06-18 21:43
Yamaha YCL-255 without a doubt.
Much better built and finished compared to the Buffet Prodige.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2020-06-19 00:45
Hi Bob,
The barrel and bell have helped to focus the sound, stabilize the intonation, and perhaps most importantly, it feels easier to play. Easier to play is of course difficult to quantify and different for everyone, but for me it makes the instrument feel smoother, especially when changing registers.
I selected Brad Behn's for a few reasons, one of them being the fact that they are hard rubber. I wanted to keep my plastic clarinet fully non-wood. Of course, this would not be an issue for my wooden clarinet.
I am looking forward to seeing what you do with your barrels and bells. Hopefully one day I will get to try them, along with your mouthpiece!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-06-19 06:37
Thank you Robert for taking the time to respond, your comments actually help a lot with the designs I'm working on.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2020-06-19 06:57
Hi Bob,
I'm glad I could be helpful! Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of any further help!
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2020-06-19 07:05
To get back to the original question a little bit, I think that they are both very good clarinets, and you can't really go wrong. The keywork is a little different, and the sound is a little different. They both play quite easily, so it is really a question of personal taste.
When I was looking at getting a plastic clarinet, it was as a backup for my wooden clarinet, which is a Buffet, so the decision was an easy one for me. I also got a very good deal on the Prodige, so that helped. Again, I could have just have easily ended up with a Yamaha wooden clarinet, but I got an great opportunity for a Buffet clarinet, so I went with that.
I also remember seeing a lot of people talk about the Backun Alpha clarinet and how great it is with a Backun barrel and bell. The problem with that for me is that the Backun barrel and bell are both wooden, my main reason for having a plastic clarinet is that it is not wooden, so I can use it in situations where I would not want to risk using a wooden clarinet. For that reason, I ended up with the Behn barrel and bell, which are made of hard rubber.
One other thing that I would add: if you can get your clarinet from a place that will do a good, professional level setup on it, that would be incredibly important. Sometimes we look for the cheapest deal, especially on a plastic clarinet, but I would definitely pay more for a good setup.
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Author: Esteban Slutzky
Date: 2020-06-21 19:28
Thanks all for the comments.
I think I will go with the Prodige and yes, I might go with the slightly expensive option but from a professional place.
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