 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-28 22:17
Well, if you'll all remember, I was play-testing a few horns for doubling in the sax section. I had a new 45, and old 45 're-padded', and a few Buffet (German) E-11's for trials...
I've decided on the E-11 for now... Neither of the 45's (or most others, including a Selmer 10G) had a better tone, fingering, etc. than the E-11, which kind of surprized me. I was hoping the 'better' horns would sound better. In fact, the E-11 I chose (of the two, one is remarkably better over-all in sound and handling) compares very favorably with all of the 'pro' horns I've tried, even my wife's R-13. (Remember I said 'favorably'.) Given the $589.00 price tag, it's quite a tight little performer and will suit me for many years. Not ready to go above $1,000.00, understandably, many fine horns never made it onto the radar screen - perhaps another day.
Thanks to you all for the responses and guidance, here and privately.
Mitch
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-03-28 22:38
The E-11 has a fine reputation - one of the best in the "intermediate" category. I wish I could justify getting one in key of C. But that's a wanna . . . not a needa.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-29 13:56
Mitch..I've had the opportunity to play a "few" different clarinets in recent months both new and used, wood and "plastic"..but one must realize that my experience and preferences are probably different than yours. Until I played a used E-11 I thought what I had been playing was quite acceptable. The used one was so good I decided to buy a new one and found it to be maybe 10% better than the used one. At that point I couldn't believe an R-13 could be better than the E-11. Then I got my used R-13 and feel it is maybe 25% better than the E-lls. I won't go into the others but none was any make you have mentioned. I doubt,however, that I could ever justify the price of a new R-13 in comparison to a new E-11. All horns were played with the same reed,mouthpiece,lig.
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-29 14:33
Yea, an R-13 (and similar models in price and sound, etc.) are just 'better' horns all-around. But I DID say the E-11 compared "favorably". Perhaps the day will come when I'll NEED to spend $1,500.00 plus for a clt., but for now, an E-11 is fine.
BTW, the concepts of value of "good" and "better' instruments isn't lost on me. I have over $10,000 tied up in three saxes and mpcs. alone, and my sons (11 and 15) are on pro-level trumpet and trombone.
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