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 Number 1
Author: Philip Caron 
Date:   2023-02-02 02:02

Here in 2023, if money were no object, what make & model clarinet would readers want to get? I'm mainly curious about Boehm-system soprano clarinets, but other types, why not? It would also be good to know what style or genre respondents would expect to use the instrument for, i.e. solo, chamber, large ensemble, jazz, etc.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2023-02-02 06:09

I suppose I've been thinking about a Patricola Artista with gold plated keys. I played one at a show in Orlando some years ago and that sound still rings in my ears!





.............Paul Aviles



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 Re: Number 1
Author: ACCA 
Date:   2023-02-02 18:31

I'd want something that would be flexible, and work for solo work, large ensemble, or jazz.

In a dream world, with money being no object, these would be on the shortlist, however mere mortals like me will probably never get to try most of these out, so have no idea what we'd like best:

http://www.josef-oboe.com/en/clarinet-k10.html
https://www.luisrossi.com/models--options.html
https://www.schwenk-und-seggelke.de/_en/klarinetten_modell3000.php
https://www.uebel-klarinetten.de/en/en/clarinets/b%E2%99%AD%2Fa-clarinet-zenit
https://chadashclarinet.com/collections/products/products/chadash-clarinets-in-bb-a
+selmer muse
+buffet BC21

but I also have a saxophone gear habit to fund now (and a growing family  ;) so i will just have to be happy with how good my old Selmer 10G is!

best wishes

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 Re: Number 1
Author: jdbassplayer 
Date:   2023-02-02 18:47

If money were no issue probably a boxwood Buffet Legende just because I love the idea of owning a boxwood Boehm clarinet.

As for the “best” so far nothing has beat my 1967 Buffet R13 Full Boehm. Got super lucky on this thing, not only was it in mint condition but it is also one of the most resonant and responsive clarinets I’ve ever played. A music store owner apparently ordered it custom from Buffet and barely used it, even still has the original card from the factory! I like it so much I sold my Tosca (which itself is also a fantastic instrument). So far I’ve tried every model from Buffet (including the BCXXI which was honestly not great…), Selmer, Royal and most of the models from Backun and Yamaha.

-JDbassplayer

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 Re: Number 1
Author: kilo 
Date:   2023-02-02 18:58

Oh, I think a Selmer Centered Tone Omega would be my choice. My CT and my Ponte stencil eefer were stolen from me in 1970 and I still miss the CT.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: LostConn 
Date:   2023-02-03 01:17

I just purchased a new clarinet last month: a Backun Protege in cocobolo with silver keys and gold posts, and the extra Eb/Ab key. I've added this to my old Buffet C12, which is still in very good condition.

To be honest, if I were told that I could select any clarinet in the world for free, I'm not sure that I would make a different choice. I'd want to *try* the premium artist models from Backun, Buffet, Uebel, etc., but that doesn't mean I'd wish to own one. Why? Because I think a musical instrument should be well-matched to its intended use and to the personality of the player. Although clarinet was my first instrument, it's now a double, because I primarily play saxophones. I consider myself a serious amateur concert band and sax ensemble musician, but I am not a professional, and I'm certainly not a clarinet "artist." I probably would not be able to exploit the subtle enhancements of a $10k clarinet, so owning one instead of a perfectly functional entry-level pro model would be more of an ego trip than a musical journey for me. I wouldn't want my instrument to be an ostentatious prop. I'll leave the carbon fiber clarinets with gold-plated keys and solid silver register tubes to players who can make them sing. :)

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Tom H 
Date:   2023-02-03 07:01

Off topic-- I see that all the posts in each thread aren't on full display now. You must click on each post for it to come up. Did I hit a wrong button somewhere or is this a change as of today. Thanks in advance for advice.

The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.

Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2023-02-03 07:39

Under the post you'll see an option called "Flat View." That brings you back.




.............Paul Aviles

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 Re: Number 1
Author: SecondTry 
Date:   2023-02-03 07:45

Tom H wrote:

> Off topic-- I see that all the posts in each thread aren't on
> full display now. You must click on each post for it to come
> up. Did I hit a wrong button somewhere or is this a change as
> of today. Thanks in advance for advice.
>

I'll go out on a limb Tom. At some point you accidently hit a button on the forum labelled "Threaded View," which appears to be the mode that you are in.

Don't go looking for the button. You won't see it while in Threaded View but you should see a button labeled "Flat View," which when you click will return you back to the flat view you seek, make the Flat View button go away, and replace it with the "Threaded View" button.

Threaded and Flat view are toggles. You are always in exactly one of these modes at a time.

Flat mode can be useful if you want to quote a post that isn't the most recent.

It's the mode I'm in right now precisely so I could quote your not last post. :)

Back to Flat View. I prefer that mode too. :)



Post Edited (2023-02-03 07:46)

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Tom H 
Date:   2023-02-03 09:37

Thanks guys. I did that a long time ago and forgot about Flat View....

The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.

Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Michael E. Shultz 
Date:   2023-02-03 15:52

If money were truly no consideration, it would be 2 custom clarinets, a Bb basset clarinet and an Eb alto clarinet also with a range down to written low C. Both would be large bore, but not so large as to adversely affect intonation, and would be made of Greenline material. The alto clarinet would have the half-hole and a true double register key setup. Both would have the Eb/Ab lever and 1 piece bodies instead of 2 piece. The alto clarinet would be designed to have a resistance between that of soprano and bass clarinets; it would not be excessively resistant.

But what I would really like to do is to redesign the entire orchestra. C=256 Hz instead of A=440 Hz (makes more sense in today's digital world), and all instruments in either the key of C or the key of F (cuts down on transposing).

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Philip Caron 
Date:   2023-02-03 17:11

Hi Michael. What is meant by "half hole" in your description?

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Michael E. Shultz 
Date:   2023-02-04 15:43

The left hand index finger key has a small vent in the middle, and the key has an extension so that you can depress it while uncovering this hole. Needed in order to play the altissimo in the lower clarinets. My Leblanc alto clarinet has it, as did the Conn bass clarinet I played in high school. The Selmer Eb contra-alto clarinet did not have this, greatly limiting my upper range.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Djudy 
Date:   2023-02-04 16:28

In Bb, A Buffet Crampon Divine. I did a clarinet camp last summer and our group director played a Divine - divinely ! Then I got to try a bunch of new Buffets later in the week and really felt the difference between it and the rest, all pro models. I can't justify the price or the break-in time for my level, but boy was that a joy to play.





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 Re: Number 1
Author: Philip Caron 
Date:   2023-02-04 19:51

Thanks, Michael. I'm now still a little confused by the following mentions of (open) half (tone) holes in the following excerpts from the S & S site. They're describing features of soprano Boehm clarinets.

"Our Model 3000 (German bore), also comes with the previously mentioned tone hole positioning, alongside further optional open half tone holes in form of resonance keys."

"Model 3000: The German bore’s larger, cylindrical parts in combinations with open half tone holes create a deeply homogenous, present and centred sound."

I didn't find an explanation on their site.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Philip Caron 
Date:   2023-02-04 20:18

Hi Djudy. Many pros and great players prefer the Divine, while others play Toscas or Legendes. Does Buffet see the different models as targeting particular niches, like European vs American, solo vs ensemble, classical vs jazz? Does that turn out to be approximately how the players of particular models are distributed? Or are there other factors?

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 Re: Number 1
Author: SecondTry 
Date:   2023-02-05 07:12

I'd like to try a clarinet that (I think there are a few) has a dedicated tone hole for the register key, that is dissimilar from the one for the [Bb4] key.

(I've been told that the placement of the one tone hole that serves double duty for both these functions is a compromise.)

I'd like my instrument to be of one piece for the upper and lower joint such that, or at least, the placement of the [C#4] / [G#5] key isn't a compromise that's high enough on the upper joint such that there's ample wood between the bottom of the tone hole and the bottom of the (2 section) clarinet...although doesn't Selmer put that hole on the tenon?

I'd like to try some Backun instruments, always being a Buffet player. In fact why not some Yamaha and Selmer too.

I hear of players leaving Buffet for Backun but not the opposite (they must exist though.)

And while you're at it, the CG carbon fiber Backun looks really interesting.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: donald 
Date:   2023-02-05 07:51

Easy, Schwenk und Seggelke RB pair (actually, I'd like a set of 4, Eb/Bb/A/C)

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Late_returner 
Date:   2023-02-05 17:52

one of the new Peter Eatons. Preferably the wide bore

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 Re: Number 1
Author: RKing 
Date:   2023-02-05 23:43

I have owned quite a few clarinets in my life, but I always come back to my old faithful R13. It's not the best clarinet out there and I know how bad some of the new ones have been on delivery. My last "new" Buffet R13 arrived in 2015 and it took two trips to the clarinet hospital to get it to play like it should.

I still have my older R13 and it has played great for many years. If I had the money (or the talent), I would love to try a Buffet Tosca before old age further diminishes my skills.

But one of the really good players in our local community band showed up with a Selmer Recital a few weeks ago and that horn really sounds great! I have a beautiful Selmer 10B model, and the Selmer quality on it makes this new Recital model look very tempting!

Not enough time and not enough money to try them all!

Ron

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Gerwin 
Date:   2023-02-06 01:41

@Philip Caron:
As I understand it, Buffet has three bore styles for their pro clarinets:
The R13, once launched for the American market,
The RC, aimed at the European market.
Both have a poly cilindrical bore.
For the Tradition, they went back to a traditional cilindrical bore.
The Tosca, the Divine and the Legende are more expensive versions of resp. the R13, the RC and the Tradition. They have the same bore as the less expensive ones, but nice features like a low F correction key, different materials for etc.
So the Divine is a (very) expensive version of the RC.
Hope this helps. Any correction on this explanation is welcome.



Post Edited (2023-02-06 01:43)

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Fuzzy 
Date:   2023-02-06 04:27

Eddie Cantor sings, "The Only Thing I Want for Christmas" (is just to keep the things that I've got).

That's how I feel about my vintage clarinets. No amount of money (or brand names, or gizmos) would make me any happier or sound any better than I am/do now.

Fuzzy
;^)>>>

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Reese Oller 
Date:   2023-02-06 21:53

I would shoot for one of those Buffet Toscas. They seem very free blowing and big, and that's the sound I like. In terms of bass clarinets, probably a Selmer Privellege or Buffet 1193. I've heard wonderful things about them both.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Musikat 
Date:   2023-02-07 00:44

I am actually on the verge of getting the Bb I have wanted for a long time (an Uebel Superior) used for a good price.

That said, if I won the lottery I would go on a search and try a lot of the top brands and pick myself a set of either three matching clarinets (Bb, A and Eb) or the ones I liked best of any of the brands, Ideally the Bb and A would match, but the Eb would be the one that is easiest to play in tune. I don't play bass clarinet.

I would first have a trusted and well-known local tech set me up with a bunch of hand selected Buffets to try (Festivals and up. I have an R13 but haven't really explored all the various higher level pro Buffets); Then I would go visit Moe-Bleichner in Pa. to try more Uebels (Zenits are very nice, and I would also like to try a Superior II); Yamaha in NY to try the highest end models there; and (why not?) take a trip up to Canada to try those Backun Carbon fiber clarinets. If nothing else it would be fun. :)

I am an amateur but play in two community orchestras, a concert band and clarinet choir.

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 Re: Number 1
Author: Djudy 
Date:   2023-02-08 19:50

Hi Philip, Sorry but I am just an amateur player and not well enough traveled in the clarinet community to be able to answer your questions. I do know of and have talked with some French professional players regarding instruments, but it's a very individual thing. Nicolas Baldeyrou plays everything Buffet has come out with recently and obviously has some preferences (but apparently not an alto :( ) while François Sauzeau of the ONL helped Selmer design the Muse and employs it to great advantage in that marvelous hall the Ravel Auditorium. And I see a lot of Buffet Toscas in the Garde Republicaine clarinet ranks and among teachers. When I sought to buy a recent used professional level clarinet here in France, I had quite a bit of choice in the Buffet and Selmer instruments, but no R13s ! Many RC Prestiges, the model I adopted for reasons of sound color, price and previous ownership (symphony pro upgrading to a more recent model after a promotion), which is certainly due to the number of players who have prefered this model over the last 2 decades, rather than a defection from it. And Buffet has put out SO MANY Bb models in the last 10 years it makes my head spin ! As do the prices ! I follow the used instruments sales closely here and I have only seen 1 Divine for sale that I can remember, they probably change hands by word of mouth.





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