 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-07-26 16:56
I was wondering if anyone knew how the Buffet R-13 compared to their Festival because I am currently playing on a Bb Festival & am looking to invest in an A clarinet but don't want to spend quite that much money since I don't do as much orchestral music as other things--I do want to invest in one though because I am the world's worst transposer.
So I guess what I'm asking is how different the two instruments are & should I cough up the extra money to buy the Festival?
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Author: Tim Sites
Date: 2001-07-26 19:23
From my own experience, the R-13 and the Festival are sufficiently different to warrant considering getting the Festival to match your Bb. The R-13 is an excellent instrument, but that's not the point. Switching between instruments that play significantly different, especially when you do not do it that often, will make playing and controlling the A difficult, even if it is an otherwise good instrument. I've played on an R-13 A for years and it is a good instrument, but I've been impressed with the tone and response of the Festival A. You will be much more satisfied with the Festival in the long run if you are comfortable with your Bb.
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2001-07-26 22:05
Jessica,
I have two different models (same brand) that I play and I would not recommend it if you can avoid it. In fact, I am currently trying to find a b-flat that is the same model as my A. I bought my horns at different times and they are both good, just different. It can be done, but I would recommend against it if that is an option. The one caveat to that is if you can't find a really good Festival, but you find a FANTASTIC R-13, you might want to consider it. I would put it to this test first....find your best setup for your b-flat. Warm up both of your horns and put your A on a stand and play your b-flat for about 45 minutes. Then quickly switch your mouthpiece (like you have about 4 bars to do it) and see how much you like how your A plays (cold with your b-flat set-up). If possible, I would recommend that you do it the other way around also.
Good luck!
Jerry McD.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-26 22:51
I have both an R-13 and a Festival and the Festival is a wonderful clarinet. If you are going to be playing the A clarinet over the years it would be a good investment to match the two. But, if you don't think you'll play the A very much, then find a good R-13 A.
The Festival has a decidedly different sound and feel. It can't be described exactly--but it is worth the extra money--unless the extra is totally out of the picture.
If you find a good one you should buy it.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-27 14:59
Oh, I meant to add that I had a Buffet Prestige Bb and a Leblanc Concerto A and that was really awkward. I finally sold the Concerto--but found it difficult to make the mental and physical adjustment between the two under concert pressure. Although I never really made any major mistakes, I always felt I didn't play my best because of the difference between the two instruments. It would have been better to have had a pair of either the Concerto or the Buffet rather than the mismatch.
However, the R-13 and the Festival might be closer related since they're both Buffets. But, when you have the extra side-key for Eb and you get used to that, it's a bit of a change to not have it. So, just weigh your options.
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2001-07-28 02:37
Is the Festival like the "best" clarinet that Buffet has? i'm not asking for opinion-what i mean is the Festival "higher up" than the R-13?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-07-28 03:10
The Festival is more expensive - as are the Prestiges, the RCs, the Elites, and probably some other combinatins. If you're implying that "better" equates to "more expensive"...
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-28 13:56
The Festival has features not found on the R-13 like metal tenon rings and silver plated keys (although silver plated keys are available on the R-13). Why don't you go to the boosey and hawkes website and read the differences? Then, it's just a matter of what you like. I think the Festival is a better instrument than the R-13 and I own both and have played dozens upon multiple dozens of R-13s and have also owned a hand-selected Prestige. I like the Festival very much---and I also like the R-13 very much. Personal preference.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-07-28 22:03
"I think the Festival is a better instrument than the R-13 and I own both and have played dozens upon multiple dozens of R-13s and have also owned a hand-selected Prestige."
Hmmm...ok...how else would one select an instrument--with one's feet? 
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-29 21:21
Hand-selected is a term generally understood among the clarinet community as one that was personally selected by an expert player--such as a professor or another expert. Mine was "hand-selected" by my clarinet professor at the Buffet factory in Paris.
I find I play better if my foot is not in my mouth at the time.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-07-30 03:43
Not meaning to perpetuate further off-topic ramblings....but.....
Brenda said:
"Hand-selected is a term generally understood among the clarinet community as one that was personally selected by an expert player--such as a professor or another expert. Mine was "hand-selected" by my clarinet professor at the Buffet factory in Paris.
I find I play better if my foot is not in my mouth at the time."
A couple (maybe three?) of responses, if I may?
1. Tsk, tsk, Brenda...lighten up get a sense of humor, would you please? My entire (earlier) reply was meant (quite clearly, in fact!) in jest.
2. Yes, I'm quite aware of things understood among the so-called "clarinet community." In fact, I guess I've been a tax-paying member of it for more years than I'd care to admit to--certainly more than you and your clarinet professor have been...combined! (Which means that I'm simply getting old, eh?)
3. The term "expert" is relative. When I was in high school, I was an "expert." Now, I don't bother thinking about such labels....I just keep on practicing.
Who knows--maybe someday I'll be an "expert!"
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-31 13:40
Well Larry, I've played clarinet for 40 years---41 this September. And, my clarinet professor has probably logged almost as many---so, are you about what--90 something? I also buy and sell clarinets to serious-minded players and play an enormous number of different instruments each day. In fact, that is what I spend my day doing--hand-selecting instruments.
As for the sense of humor--I just found the comment out of left field for the tone of the discussion and quite an unusual remark to add to the information concerning the Festival and the R-13.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2001-07-31 15:03
Well, Brenda...I must admit, you have me on the age thing (although, with a combination of good luck and good genes I'll still have the ability to assemble my clarinets at age 90...maybe even play them!).
As for the sense of humor, I was simply responding to the concept--brought up in your post--of what a hand-selected instrument is in comparison to one that isn't. (Hey, once something is posted, everything is fair game, no?)
In my experience, every instrument (technically) is "hand-selected." Even if it is tried out buy a total incompetent, it would still still be hand-selected. And, of course, that, in itself, is a relative concept (hey--sort of like being an expert, right?)
You (or your professor, for that matter) might pick out--aka, hand-select--a clarinet that I might assess as totally unacceptible--and, of course, the reverse is also true. Our style and concepts of playing, our experiences as players, how we assess a particular clarinet's strenghts and weaknesses and yes, what our expectations are color the selection process.
For instance, I've noted your previous comments about the Opus--it's huge sound, etc. But my experiences and that of my colleagues are the exact opposite. While I have (in the past, anyway) admired many things about the manufacturing, design and construction of the Opus, I have never felt compelled to own and play one. I have never enjoyed playing it. In fact, I've taken longer to decide which magazines to recycle.
Am I wrong to have done that? Your selection process might very well dictate that I am, whereas I know that I am very solid in my assessment for what I want out of an instrument.
Sort of like picking out a spouse, eh? (Yes, yes, yes.....my marraige has lasted longer than all of my clarinets!)
However, don't get me started on what a serious-minded player is, OK?
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-08-01 16:35
Larry, I must apologize to you for my "brusk" attitude with the "foot in mouth" deal, etc. and yield to your position and status in the clarinet community. I'll have to admit, it took someone pointing out your position with the Detriot symphony for me to realize you really are someone who knows his stuff.
I agree with your opinion of selecting an instrument. It is a personal thing and many people do not like the Opus--but for those who do like it, like myself, they are quite passionate about it. Take Larry Combs, for instance.
But for all around nice tone and great response and beauty, the Buffet Festival is hard to beat! Actually, most people have more than one clarinet--so theoretically one could own an Opus and a Buffet along with a bank!!!
And, I've been married to the same guy for 33 years now--so I guess I'm getting pretty old.
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