 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: David S.
Date: 2024-08-03 10:41
Greetings. I would appreciate information, members may have, regarding the professional level RZ Bb Clarinet. Is anybody currently playing a RZ, or has played one in the past? I am currently playing a Buffet R13, Bb, Grenadilla wood, professional model. The instrument was manufactured in Paris, November, 1964 and was hand selected by my clarinet instructor, with whom I started my clarinet studies in the music education program my freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University. The instrument served me well during my years as a freelance and solo clarinetist. At the time of purchase, the instrument was Buffet’s top model and commanded top price. Considering the investment, I made sure the instrument was maintained regularly over the years. There are no cracks whatsoever, and the mechanism responds very well. Over the years, the clarinet has been overhauled by some of the best clarinet repair technicians in the country. The reason for providing information about my baby, opps, I mean my Buffet Clarinet is over the years, I’ve had no need to purchase a new Clarinet, so I’ve been out of the loop when it comes to new brands of Clarinet. I have tried Selmer, Backun, Leblanc, and Yamaha Bb Clarinets, but to be honest none compared to the results I continued to get with my Buffet R 13. Now, to be fair to myself, I should look into newer brands of Clarinets, but before doing so I want to to get information about what’s out there. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: m1964
Date: 2024-08-04 03:54
You should also try Uebel clarinets- another "new" name.
Music and Arts are the RZ distributors in the US, have decent return policy- 30 days, the buyer pays for return shipping.
So, if you cannot go to any of their dealers in person, the above is an option.
I would not rely on someone else's recommendation, esp. if it's one person opinion. The clarinet sound and expectations are different from one player to another so what one likes another may not.
IMO, the best way to buy a new clarinet is to go to a shop and try a few, back to back.
Post Edited (2024-08-06 02:57)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David S.
Date: 2024-08-05 04:21
Thank you for information relative to my post. I agree with you 100% that one needs to test drive a few clarinets of any brand before selecting one. Nevertheless the reason for the post was to see if anyone had playing experience with any of the RZ models. As well, wanted to see if anyone knew of any symphony or other professional clarinetists who play/played an RZ.
Thank you again for taking time to respond.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mqaa
Date: 2024-08-05 12:23
I do play on a RZ Capriccio clarinet and love it! Before I had a Selmer Privilege and before that a Buffet Festival. The tuning is really good and the keywork does fit my hands very comfortable. Compared to my previous instruments the resonance of this horn is better and the sound is more flexible, less restricted than on the Privilege. And it is a bit lighter too which helps with my shoulder problems. And I like it that it is produced in a small factory by just a couple of people. And I did meet Milan Rericha (the R in RZ) and he is a nice guy and a very good clarinet player.
They also make very interesting hybrid models with a bore made out of some kind of metal. I did try it and it plays very nice but it was a bit to loud and heavy for me.
When you have the change I would say try them out and you will be pleasantly surprised.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David S.
Date: 2024-08-07 07:11
Thank you for providing this information. I understand that Music and Arts are listed as distributors for the RZ Clarinet. I think there are three stores in my area, Phoenix Arizona, so I should be able to arrange a test drive on a couple of models. Again thanks for your insight.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2024-08-28 16:57
Do please write on this topic if you can!
Well, my experience with RZ clarinets is very limited, BUT I've tried their eefer for a moment when I visited London, back in 2018 (pre-Brexit... those were the days!) and in hindsight, I should've bought it at like 2k. Compared to all cheaper alternatives, this one should be worth its money.
Sadly, I've never again had the opportunity to test them. However, Thomann has started selling them here in Germany and they have a nice variety of models on offer. Now, their current bass clarinet seems to copy the keyword of a Selmer Privilege bass - interesting!
Anyway, I wonder how they can pump out so many different models being a rather small factory, I suspect they have their keywork produced elsewhere (to their specs?), but that is a somewhat unfounded supposition on my side.
This December, I'm hopping to be able to pay Thomann a visit in southern Germany and I might get to test some Bb's and their bass. To be sure, they have a number of unique designs.
Best regards
Christian
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David S.
Date: 2024-08-30 13:50
Well, I finally was able to test the RZ Allegro model. The Allegro is listed on the RZ website as one of their professional models. I spent approximately 45 minutes with the instrument, and my overall assessment was, other than the instrument being new, and the key mechanism somewhat tighter and heavier, there was no marked difference in the playability of the instrument. In comparison to my Buffet R13. (Buffet R13 details previously described in my initial post), the Allegro’s sound in the low register was a little bit untamed. The middle, upper and altissimo registers were slightly brighter than my Buffet. The Allegro came with two barrels, one of which worked better in tuning against a tuner at A 440. To be fair, I don’t know how far this one instrument traveled and in what conditions it was played in prior to arriving at the store where I tried it. As mentioned in a previous post, I live in Arizona and there are several Guitar Centers/Music and Arts stores who are listed by RZ as distributors of their instruments. However, when I inquired about testing both the Allegro and the Capriccio models, they were only able to come up with the one Allegro. Initially I was hoping to have an opportunity to try at least two of each model, but no such luck. So, based on this one test drive, I won’t be buying an RZ anytime soon, and will continue playing my trusted Buffet R13.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: m1964
Date: 2024-09-01 10:20
David S. wrote:
> Well, I finally was able to test the RZ Allegro model. The
> Allegro is listed on the RZ website as one of their
> professional models. I spent approximately 45 minutes with the
> instrument, and my overall assessment was, other than the
> instrument being new, and the key mechanism somewhat tighter
> and heavier, there was no marked difference in the playability
> of the instrument. In comparison to my Buffet R13. (Buffet R13
> details previously described in my initial post), the
> Allegro’s sound in the low register was a little bit untamed.
> The middle, upper and altissimo registers were slightly
> brighter than my Buffet...
> So, based on this one test drive, I won’t be buying an
> RZ anytime soon, and will continue playing my trusted Buffet
> R13.
There are some very, very nice R13s out there. Properly overhauled, they are the best value (IMO) for most of the players, except a few who require "the best of the best".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
