 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: amy
Date: 2001-11-11 02:13
I am a high school clarinetist and have been playing for 7 years. I am just now considering purchasing a step-up clarinet, and i went to the music store and tried out a few. Many of my friends play buffet E11's, and i played one at the store. It had a nice sound, but the keys were uncomfortable to what i am used to. It also has a listed price of about $1160. Then i tried a selmer omega, and the keys were more comfortable because they were flatter, and the instrument had a nice sound. However, it had a higher listed price of $1450. I have heard from so many people that buffets are soooo great, and i was just wondering why they have a lower listed price than omegas. Is the buffet really more popular? What makes the omega more expensive? Which do you recommend? Let me get some opinions.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-11 03:13
E-11 for $1160 ?
Shop around...that price is TOO HIGH
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Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2001-11-11 03:26
I agree with GBK. I think an E-11 normally goes for a bit under $700.00 and an R-13 nickel plated can be had for around $1500.00. The E-11 being a step-up horn and the R-13 being the "pro" horn.
I am not sure where the Selmer you were looking at fits into the step-up / pro line of instruments.
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Author: Corey
Date: 2001-11-11 03:57
I got my E-11 for 579.00 at the Woodwind and brasswind and YES i agree that is way too high.BTW, is that a paris or USA Omega (there is a big difference as i have been told).
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Author: James
Date: 2001-11-11 04:37
Get the Buffet International clarinet, its a great clarinet for around 700 dollars
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Author: Iván
Date: 2001-11-11 06:10
The Buffet is better clarinet than selmer, of course... yo can see the yamaha and leblanc clarinets... I use a buffet E12.... your buffet E11 price is too high!!!, when I buyed my clarinet, his price was $1100, in a music store in Chicago... In Mexico, all the clarinetista use buffet clarinet (E11, E12 and the profesional models).
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-11-11 11:43
Iván wrote:
>
> The Buffet is better clarinet than selmer, of course...
> yo can see the yamaha and leblanc clarinets... I use a buffet
> E12.... your buffet E11 price is too high!!!, when I buyed my
> clarinet, his price was $1100, in a music store in Chicago...
> In Mexico, all the clarinetista use buffet clarinet (E11, E12
> and the profesional models).
No Buffet is not better than Selmer. These are both fine quality clarinets. If Amy prefers the feel of a Selmer and likes its sound then for her it is a better clarinet.
Based on the prices in the Woodwind & Brasswind catalog, that Omega is probably comparable to the E-12 rather than the E-11. See if you can't try out a Selmer CL201, which is priced nearly the same as the E-11.
To get a good price and still by locally, get quotes from the major mail order dealers such as WW&BW or International Music and take them to your local dealer. While they may not match the price exactly, you can often get them to come down substantially. This way you can still try and buy at a local store.
Or some of the major dealers have staff who will play and select an instrument for you. Or you can order one to try and return it until you find one you like.
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2001-11-11 13:14
You might want to consider a used clarinet. There are many Selmer Centered Tones, Series 9's, Series 10's and 10G's out there to be had for well under $1000. These were top-of-the-line at the time. I'd stack them up against my Buffet any time.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-11 13:45
Two words you mentioned a couple of times bother me: "Listed price."
Does that mean the salesperson is talking to you in terms of "list price?"
Especially when I'm buying outright, which is the only way I buy, I don't let salespeople talk to me about list price. In fact, they insult my intelligence when they do.
Nobody pays list price unless they don't know and are being taken by the salesperson. Be very careful.
There are a couple of stores here in my neck of the woods which have a reputation for trying to charge students who don't yet know the ins and outs of instrument buying (and their parents) as much as they can for instruments. Of course, they don't get very much repeat business, but they do some and somehow they manage to stay in business.
We recently saw an Artley plastic clarinet in poor condition going for $300.00 in a music store in Hollywood, FL, and at another store, in Miami, they charge full list price plus interest on any instrument being paid off monthly, after charging 50% down on it!! The 50% alone already covers the store's cost of the instrument.
You shouldn't have to pay more than around 60% to 70% of the list price, give or take a few dollars.
I like Selmers a lot, and although I have absolutely nothing against Buffets, I too, would stack my Selmers against my Buffets anytime. And the idea of looking around to see what's available in good, used condition is also good.
Last, but not least, purchasing on the Internet scares the heck out of me and while the mail order houses (BW&WW or IM are excellent to deal with, nothing beats going to a major store with a good choice of instruments to try them out for yourself (bring your teacher if you can.)
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Author: William
Date: 2001-11-11 16:00
If you liked the Selmer Omega's key set-up and sound, then it might be interesting for you to try the LeBlanc Sonata, which will give you a sound comprimise of a Buffet/Selmer, user friendly key set ups and the superb LeBlanc intonation and eveness of scale between the regisers. FYI--the LeBlanc Sonata clarinet has the same accoustical specifcations as their pro-level models, the Concerto and Opus clarinets, which many players are now choosing over the Buffet and Selmer products. However, the clarinet that YOU like to play best is the clarinet to choose--just be certain that you shop around for the best price and, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY (with eBay, that is often not possible). The larger music stores--International Musical Suppliers, a good example--and local sources that let you try instruments before buying are the best sources. I used to play on Buffet R-13s but now prefer the improved intonation and scale of the LeBlanc Concertos--that explaines my recommendation to try the LeBlanc Sonata. However, I have always considered Selmers and Buffets to be good instruments, you just have to find one that plays well for you. Good luck clarinet hunting--most of us have "been there, done that"--and, Good Clarineting!!!!
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Author: amy
Date: 2001-11-11 17:30
I suppose i should clarify that the clarinets were on sale - the E11 was on sale for $750 and the Omega was on sale for $799. And the music store i went to (music & arts) did let me play the instruments. I guess i'm just having trouble deciding which will be better in the long run - for example, if the problem with the buffet is just the key placement, will i eventually get used to it? What i really want to know is the difference between the two, some opinions about which is better, and some ideas of other ones (like the comment about Leblanc Sonatas - thanks a lot, i'll check it out!). I want to thank everyone for giving me advice - i really appreciate it.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-11 18:01
I like the advice from Dee, Ken, Peter and William, and after playing one of my "P series, '50's" Selmer-Paris in church this AM, I think they are the best! These and later Sels are available at $700 or less and are well worth consideration. Don
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-11-12 01:27
I was going to say.. that was a bit steep for an Omega.. a friend of mine got hers for around $850 new.. she loves it, but she didn't go through much of a selection process. The music store that did repairs for the school came in one day to talk about a program where they left a Selmer Omega, a comparable sax, trumpet, and flute for two weeks for students to try during the band periods. I played it, but wasn't very impressed, not to mention that my family doesn't have much money for things like that. Her family does, though, and she bought the clarinet. She likes it, like I said.. now if only I could get her to appreciate it.
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Author: amy
Date: 2001-11-12 01:52
Just to let you know, the Selmer Omega i tried was a USA model. And a Buffet E-12, is that still just a step-up or is it getting into the pro level?
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Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2001-11-12 03:35
I would recommend that you take a look at <a href="http://www.booseyandhawkes.com">http://www.booseyandhawkes.com</a>
They list the E-12 as a student horn along with the rest of the E series of horns.
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Author: James
Date: 2001-11-13 17:15
Personally to be honest, i really see the top two brands as buffet and leblanc. If you see Yamaha's are copies of buffets for the most part and selmers G10s is copy of giglioti's buffet R13 with the moenig (sp) specializion. But judging by what i have seen you right, i would say once again, the buffet international clarinet is a great clarinet and iit could be very well for you so don't put it out of your mind. I know a few friends who played on omega and really hated it after they got used to it.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2002-12-29 01:25
What does BW & WW stand for that I saw mentioned in one of your old woodwind.org postings?
I'm in the market for a mid-to professional level clarinet and I'm looking for a good place to try "on approval". Our local shop has a very limited selection.
I tried a couple of Buffet R-13, one used that needed some adjusting, and a new one that was great, plus a used (10-15 year old) Leblanc Symphony that sounded great but had a 10 to 20 cent flat open g that I couldn't bring up. However, I also tried a Selmer Omega MG 294 (not sure if that is USA or Paris) and for me it played very well and I thought had a nice deep tone - although my instructor liked the tone of the R-13 better, but then she does own an R-13. The Selmer played the easiest and most predictably for me. The only downside seemed to be the upper octive did not seem to have the dynamic range (loudness potential) of the Buffet - like hitting a glass ceiling.
Any thoughts? Thanks.
Jerry Mucci
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