 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tim
Date: 2002-03-10 07:16
I was wondering if anyone could give me feedback on the clarinet models that I have narrowed down to buy: Buffet R-13, Vintage R-13, or the Leblanc Concerto. Thanks!!
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-03-10 11:58
Tim,
LeBlanc is my instrument of choice. I have played both Leblanc and Buffet and have always come back to my Leblancs. Buffets are good...really really good...but I am just loyal to my first love!
My best advice to you is to take your favorite mouthpieces and reeds, go to your local music store and try the instruments you are interested in. And I mean really try them out!
After you have decided, thank the music store people very much then go home and get online where you will find the clarinet of your choice at a much lower price.
A good place to start is the Woodwind and Brasswind. They will send you up to 3 instruments in the model of you choice for you to try before you buy. You can check them out at:
http://www.woodwindbrasswind.com/home.jsp
Good luck Tim!
Brian
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-03-10 12:05
Tim,
Sorry but it seems I left out something about the Woodwind and Brasswind.
If you can't find all the instruments you want to try at your local music store they can also send you up to 3 clarinets of different makes and models too so you can try them at home.
Just wanted to let you know!
Brian
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Author: Mike
Date: 2002-03-10 12:11
Get the one you feel most comfortable playing, sounds best & that one you can afford. I will never be biased, but Buffet Vintage is Superb!
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-03-10 12:54
Hi! My choice instrument is an R-13 Buffet, but many of my peers like Leblanc or Selmer instruments. It's a matter of choice, and it's a matter of EACH instrument's strong points, response, etc. Muncy Winds is great, and you can try instruments out with them, too. The owner is a fine clarinetist. Do try the instruments. I tried several before chosing the instruments that I have.
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-03-10 14:03
I like my Rossi better than any instrument I have ever played. I beg you to try one, the key action feels nothing like the other instruments. I think they run around 3500-3600. I don't know how that compares with Buffet and Leblanc these days. Do you have someone to help you out? When I tried instruments I had my husband hand them to me so I could try them "blind".
I have a Leblanc A, and my bass and Eb are top of the line Buffets. If Rossi made the entire line of instruments all my clarinets would be Rossis.
How fun and exciting for you. And check prices. I have bought from Woodwind and Brasswind and International Music Suppliers outside of Chicago. I have had great success with both places. Are you near either place or will you have the instruments shipped to you.
Best of luck,
Jean
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-10 15:23
It's a simple choice--buy the instrument which plays best for you. If you try enough instruments of any one make, you will find some good, some great and some "not so good." It is better to play a great clarinet of "whatever" brand than a not so great of a "name" brand. And there are plenty of not so good Buffet and LeBlanc clarinets out there, if you are not careful in your choosing. So play as many clarinets as you can from all of the models and try to find one that allows you to be expressive, (retains its tonal focus from soft to loud) has reasonable intonation, (none will be perfect) and one which has a sound that you like and plays an even scale (where no particular notes seem to stand out or seem stuffy).
Not good reasons for buying a clarinet: 1) shinny keys 2) neat case 3) salesperson says "It's a great instrument." 4) It's a Buffet 5) It's a LeBlanc 6) It's Brand New 7) it comes with two brand new reeds and a swab (leather) 8) it's on sale, "etc, etc, etc,"--King, from KING AND I.
Reason for buying a clarinet: 1) you love playing clarinet and this particular one enables you to play expressively with a pleasing tone quality and an even (and reasonably "in tune") scale, for YOU!!!!! Good luck in your choice and Good Clarineting!!!!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-10 15:36
I forgot to add my own personal bias: I play LeBlanc Concertos (A & Bb) for concert work and use two Buffet R-13s for jazz (depending on which sax I am toting to the gig). And on recordings, they all sound pretty much the same. I might add, I think all of my clarinets fall into the "great" category. Bottom line: good clarinets will always sound good--if played good (and if you can find a good reed for your good mouthpiece) Good Clarineting!!!
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-03-11 00:22
In my school (very small university) there are 3 serious clarinetists. One uses a Buffet R-13, one a Vintage R-13, and one a Leblanc Concerto. I don't think either of the brands are better than the other, it's just individual taste (and individual instruments). Our teacher suggest the Concerto, but he loves my Buffet R-13, so just try it out and see what is best for you.
Good Luck!!
Melanie
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-03-11 00:52
I would like to put in a small plug for the "local store". It does not feel right to test instruments at their expense at the local store, and then go and use mail-order stores for the purchase. Fairness would seem to be to complete the process with either one all the way.
Karel.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-03-11 04:01
A word of caution about the trial plans of the mail order houses. Read the terms CAREFULLY especially in regards to the time period allowed, any "notification of return" requirements, and any restocking fees. Be sure to return ship in time so that the instrument(s) will be received by the deadline. (And be sure the shipment is insured for the entire purchase price.) Also, these require a credit card, be sure you know how much will be charged to the card and at which stage of the transaction and be sure your credit limit will cover the charges so that you will not be charged an "over the limit" fee by the card co.
It is entirely possible by mishap to own more instruments than you intend to purchase! My son's private teacher recently got a good deal on a new horn purchased by "accident" by one of his other students.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-03-11 05:46
Against the quite good reputation of Buffet's quality these a few years, Brenda reported that she experienced their big quality problems quite recently. She promised to inform her detailed info later. By searching 'Brenda Stewart' you can read her posting.
Since she is testing bunch of Buffets herself, it would be very reliable.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-03-11 13:09
I thi9nk that should be 'Brenda Siewert'
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-11 13:12
Although by no means a passenger on the Buffet Bandwagon, I believe it fair to point out that Brenda Siewert's recent remarks about some new Buffets referred to one group of Clarinets at one dealer. Their characteristics were consistent with exposure to extremely low humidity and, I suggest, had most likely suffered this *after* they left Buffet. If I saw a group of new cars with little dimples all over their roofs, I'd much sooner suspect a hailstorm while in transit rather than think the factory built them that way.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-11 14:50
Ditto on the home trial "deal". But can't imagine why you didn't include the Buffet E-11 among your picks.
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Author: Josh
Date: 2002-03-11 23:06
It sounds like he's looking for a professional clarinet, which the E-11 is most definitely NOT.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-12 15:35
Josh: With all due respect I would be interested in your definition of "professional clarinet"....
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-03-12 16:43
I wouldn't be afraid of the new Buffets. As JMcA said, it was at one dealer. They've been repaired and dampits added to their cases. I purchased one of them and am quite happy with it.
I do recommend play-testing as many as possible. I agree with the "watch the return" comment above. Although I loved the Symphonie VII I recently sold (which caused quite a stir for some reason), I would have loved to have had the option to return it for a refund but didn't get the chance to do so due to my parents' health situation and my mother-in-law's death. So, read and comply with instructions if you go to a mail order or website place. Even with the local dealer you need to establish how long you can keep one before returning it if necessary.
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