 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joe
Date: 2001-09-16 16:44
I'm want to step up from a student, (rental), level to a professional level instrument. I'm considering both the Yamaha YCL72 and the Buffet R-13. Are these of comperable quality ...... both accepted as 'professional' models by the clarinet community?
Joe.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-09-16 16:57
The YCL-72 and R13 are of equivalent quality.
If you decide to purchase the Yamaha you'll have to be ready to defend your purchase to people who think that Buffet is the only clarinet accptable; to even a greater degree than those playing Leblanc or Selmer.I say this without prejudice - it just ends up being a fact (at the moment).
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-09-16 17:10
The Yamaha 72 models are very comparable to the R-13. I knew a high school student that chose one over the R-13 (much to my dismay!). The yamaha's have a very even tone, and the key mechanisms are very similar to Buffet.
However, if I was looking for a yamaha clarinet, I'd look closer to the SEV. I was VERY impressed with it.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-09-16 17:25
Are you old enough to remember the Hertz "When you're #2, you try harder!"
commercials?
I'm a Yamaha convert. I recommend you set your sights higher and look at the Custom series from Yamaha. I play a YCL-82 and YCL-SEvA.
I think the YCL-SEv is a wee bright for the Bb.
If you are looking at new horns, there are LOADS of choices.
If you are looking at second hand horns, play before purchase.
anji
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Author: Mindy
Date: 2001-09-16 19:08
WEll I think the R-13 clarinet is one of the best I might be one of the ones that Mark says only likes the Buffet. But it is all your opinion. How does it feel playing it blah blah blah you know it all...... I just hope you get what feels good to you don't let people tell you what they think you should do because they don't even know you.
Good Luck finding something!!!
Mindy
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Author: Ted Donaldson
Date: 2001-09-16 19:26
my 3 cents...
Try out alot of clarinets. If you find a cheap one that plays wonderfully, buy it. Don't be afraid of other players making fun of you for having it. Shove some nice notes in their face, and i garuntee they will be speechless!
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2001-09-16 19:50
Joe,
I am a Yamaha player so my opinions are a little jaded, but here they are. Both instruments are very good. I think you will be able to find a good Yamaha quicker than you will be able to find a good R-13 (I'm speaking about percentages.....good versus average....higher percent to Yamaha). The model 72 is discontinued and the current equivalents are the custom series. They make several different styles and I would recommend you try them all, and if you like one over the other, then try as many as possible of that style. This is advice that is older than the hills but it really does apply when deciding on a new instrument (or mouthpiece, or barrel, or reeds etc, etc). My favorite clarinet I have ever played is my Yamaha 72-A. I will stack this horn up against any other A clarinet from any maker. One reason is because I chose it from many horns (I tried about 25 A clarinets before I bought this one in 1986). My current Bb is a custom AE (also discontinued). It also is a great horn, not fabulous, but great. I have to admit I was not in a position to do as thorough a search as I was for my 72-A. I would caution you that the horns blow VERY differently, so trying the same mouthpiece and reed combination on a Yamaha and then on a Buffet might not provide a true comparison. If you can keep both horns for several days and try and adjust your reeds to each playing characteristic you will get a much better picture of the true nature of the two horns. I believe that you can find an excellent horn no matter what the brand, and if you play it well nobody will every question your choice of instruments, I can personally attest to that. Good luck, and let us know how it comes out!
Jerry McD.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-09-16 20:18
I'm certainly not a "Buffet Bigot," but I've been very happy with the R-13s I've purchased this past year. I bought several new ones in custom orders for people and have been quite amazed at the improved quality in the R-13s of this past couple of years. As many of you know, I've long been a fan of the Leblanc Opus and Symphonie VII--but in a favor for someone I hand selected some new R-13s and was absolutely surprised!
As for Yamahas, I'm not much of a fan--although I've owned and sold several. I found them to have a very different tone. Not bad--just different. However, as Anji has said, they can be quite nice and sometimes easier to play than the R-13. You do have to develop a very "patient" ear to play well on the R-13. Some teachers think the R-13 takes more skill to "conquer," but that remains a personal issue.
If you find a good buy on a used Custom series Yamaha, I'm with the others--go for those rather than the YCL 72. I think you'll find them of higher quality and more satisfying for a longer period of time.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2001-09-16 21:13
Someone mentioned that it was harder to find a good Buffet than a good Yamaha. At one time, this was pretty much the case, but I believe Buffet quality control has improved to the point where the consitency is at least equal.
About 10 years ago a close friend asked me to select a new A clarinet for him. At about this time, Buffet was at a particularly low point in quality control. I tried at least 20 Buffet A clarinets and liked none of them. I selected a Yamaha A clarinet for him. At that time, many people were playing Yamaha A clarinets. First of all, because they were excellent, and second because a good Buffet A clarinet was honestly hard to find.
Incidentally, the Buffet A clarinet that I currently play (about 5 years old) is the best A clarinet I have ever played. I have had multiple offers to buy it on the spot (fat chance). There are some real gems out there now.
I haven't played any Yamaha clarinets for a while, but I am certain that there are still some fine instruments out there.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-17 02:32
My daughter plays a Yamaha YCL-csA which was selected years ago by Jon Cohler. We had it Brannenized a year ago. I'd put it up against any Buffet. Great intonation, not stuffy. The YCL-72 has good intonation, probably better across the board than Buffet clarinets of that vintage. Buffet keywork at the time was a bit better, I think. FWIW, I really like the YCL-85, too. mw
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Author: Azzacca
Date: 2001-09-17 12:47
I love my YCL-72 that I picked up used a few months ago. I haven't tried any other professional level clarinets though. I've always been partial to Yamaha's though...
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Author: Ed
Date: 2001-09-17 14:51
Yamaha makes some great instruments. Very even, consistent tone and good intonation. Well worth a try.
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Author: Joe
Date: 2001-09-17 15:23
WOW!! What a wonderful response! My sincere thanks for all the opinions and good advice. Now I feel like I have good, valid information to use in forming my own opinion.
Thanks, again
Joe.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2001-09-17 15:49
Keep in mind that the Yamaha line of professional clarinets was designed to be similar to the Buffet clarinet.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-17 15:55
Designed? I think you are being way too nice or polite, David. Many go a full step further & state that Yamaha copied Buffet. Darn good job, too. Heck, they were not alone in their ewffory; just "more better". best, mw
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Author: Keith MacLeod
Date: 2001-09-18 03:08
I have been playing Yamaha for 15 years now. The build quality is better, the scale is better and the intonation is better. My teacher, Robert Marcellus always said, "..it doesn't matter if it's Sears Roebuck, if it's better, it's better!"
They cost less too!!
Best wishes, Keith
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-19 00:41
Cost less? Better start pricing your SEV's! The Buffet R-13 can be bought for less than a YCL Custom Bb SEV. At worst, it's a push. The new yamha's have the improved bridge key, too. It takes all kinds --- some like Yamaha-ha, some like Boo-fey. mw
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