 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-02-15 00:27
For those that have made the switch why did you?
What do you find better about Yamaha clarinets? How would you describe the difference between the two?
Is it just that more Yamaha's play like good Buffets....than Buffets? 
TIA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2025-02-15 22:09
I, personally, find that Buffets have a distinctive ping and ring to them. Yamahas seem nondescript to me. But, they're better made than Buffet.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2025-02-16 15:27
I haven't tried the Yamaha CSG, but it's said to be very different from their other models; a more German sound, though the taper is French. (a bigger bore than Buffet and Selmer?)
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2025-02-16 22:13
I played Buffet R13s from High School through 2006 when I switched to Yamaha CSGs. They were first generation and the pair was only $5K! I found these instruments to have a very clear, even tone over the entire range of the instrument (no odd-sounding notes), and had excellent intonation. Whereas with my Buffets, the throat tones were usually sharp, the Yamahas were slightly low, enabling the 12ths to be better in tune. The throat Bb was clearer, although I typically play the 2nd trill-key Bb anyway. This 2nd trill key has proven to be very nicely in tune for playing the high Ds in Capriccio Espagnol (contrary to common practice). Finally, these instruments had modest resistance, just right for control without getting stuffy.
I've recently played my 2nd clarinetists Buffet R13 Prestiges and while they are nice, they feel like too much work. I've also recently played Backun Qs and Lumeires and while they too were nice, the prices (like the Buffets) did not seem worth it.
Finally, I recently saw that Jon Manasse has switched from his Buffet Toscas to Yamaha CSVR-ASPs. I think that indicates that the top-line Yamahas have everything a professional would look for.
Ultmately, it comes down to personal preference. I think one should not rule out the Yamahas without trying them.
Bob Barnhart
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2025-02-16 23:42
My experience is mainly with the 80's top end Yamahas. I felt these were very good indeed, but it was true that they filled the stereotype of being "easier to play, but the tone not quite as good as Buffet".
I played a Yamaha pair until 1998 having switched from Buffet S1 in 1987.
Then I played a mixed pair- R13 Bb and Yamaha Custom A clarinet. I should have stuck with this combination as it worked really well.
For many years I found none of the "newer" 1990s/2000s Yamahas really interested me- though I had to admit I liked the CSG tone I felt it a little inflexible for my needs.
Recently two events have got Yamaha on my radar again... I had an old YCL 82 Custom Bb that I played as "back-up"/teaching horn for a year, and LOVED this instrument. Seriously considered making it the #1 horn and only sold it with regret.
Then I played my student's Yamaha CSVR (I actually don't know if it's an ASP, but the family are quite wealthy so it may well be) and noticed a quality in the "Yamaha sound" I had not found before. It does not surprise me that this model is stealing away some Buffet artists!
Btw- I have a friend in Japan who reconditions old Yamaha instruments and sends them over to NZ. I have sold a number of the older 80's wooden instruments of various models to students, probably 8-10 in the last year, and frankly found even the cheaper "intermediate" models to be real competition for the R13. One instrument a student got for $600 (with a GOOD overhaul!!!!!) was an instrument I'd prefer to any of the newer instruments on the wall at our local shop.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-02-16 23:59
*If* Yamahas tend to be more consistently good than Buffet's--perhaps a question for the ages--I will say that in the internet age, where more of us are buying instruments without first trying them, albeit with returns guarantees, I would strongly consider either buying a Buffet from someone who I trust and who has the abilities/has taken the time to set it up first, or a Yamaha, if the consistency hype of the latter proves true.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: m1964
Date: 2025-02-17 01:01
I recently observed/listed to a very good player trying different A clarinets in a shop- while he liked the top end Yamaha at first, after playing it for a few minutes he said something like, "Ehh, it does not have the sound I want".
Also, I believe that Yamaha clarinets are not better made than Buffets or Selmers or etc. but they are better regulated at the factory or in their main warehouse. Buffet, on other hand, relies on the selling dealer to bring their instruments to the top condition in the shop, prior to selling.
Both Buffets and Selmer (Paris) are/were made very well- that's why we see so many of them on used market, some from pre-WWII era.
The above is my own opinion.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ruben
Date: 2025-02-17 14:22
A friend of mine used to say that playing Yamahas was like dining at the Hilton: always very good, but never great.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-02-17 22:45
m1964 - "I believe that Yamaha clarinets are not better made than Buffets or Selmers or etc."
Yamaha use proper point screws with full length threads instead of those annoying point screws with the plastic collar Buffet use that are meant to lock in place or offer better adjustment, only in practice that's not the case.
Yamaha are the only one of the now remaining 'Big Three' clarinet makers who still build their clarinets properly and don't do stupid [rude word] like Buffet and Selmer do - Yamaha's clarinet keywork is mounted and sprung in a similar manner to older Selmers. Even so, Yamaha can always ditch using natural cork in favour of much better sound absorbing/deadening materials for their keywork.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2025-02-18 08:39
I don't know, but an hour ago I played a brand spanking new CSG (straight out of the box) and it was blimmin' good. I found myself trying to think of ways to get the money for a pair.....
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2025-02-18 09:08
And the price.... holy camoly i can get a pair for less than the price of a single Legende Bb...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim sclater
Date: 2025-02-18 19:49
I have to wonder about the value of this particular thread. It boils down to personal preference. A player happy with his Buffet...a player happy with his Yamaha. I wonder how many opinions will be changed as a result of this. You're going to play what works best for you or the best you can afford. So happy we all have many good options from which to choose.
jsclater@comcast.net
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-02-19 00:34
jim sclater wrote:
> I have to wonder about the value of this particular thread. It
> boils down to personal preference.
No doubt Jim that personal preference plays a major role, and even that such preference can be riddled with bias, not the least being confirmational, in people's tendency to justify their decisions by selling others on them.
But we've also heard here some reasons why people feel the way the do, which can be useful.
I must admit surprise regarding why this particular thread's value, as compare to the litany of others here that offer opinions with potentially no less limitations might pique your interest, or perhaps you approach this entire bboard's opinions with healthy skepticism, which is not only your right, but my approach too and one I applaud (but why then single out this thread.)
It's not that I don't value other's input, just that it serves as a starting point for my own conclusions, which may differ.
> A player happy with his
> Buffet...a player happy with his Yamaha.
It's true, we play instruments, not brands. And ours could be a cherished, well set up one among a sea of duds, or conversely the rare problem child in a set of otherwise consistent and rigorously quality assured fine instruments of that make and model.
But picking an instrument brand, especially in the internet age where brick and mortar outfits within a car drive's distance, with 7+ "Tosca's" to choose from are becoming rarer, IMHO lends importance to aligning with product that offer's consistency and quality: be that Buffets or Selmers or Backuns etc. sold by the repair tech of impeccable integrity and skill that sets up these instruments before sale, and/or brands that are more likely to put a quality instrument in their case before they ever make their way to the seller.
FWIW I'm a Buffet player happy with his instruments. This thread though convinces me to, if buying another clarinet, to consider, but by no means necessarily switch to Yamaha.
Post Edited (2025-02-19 00:36)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
