 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: john gibson
Date: 2002-04-14 04:39
I have to share what has become the best clarinet experience ever!
I purchased a buffet R-13(vintage 1967) back in November of 2000 for $250! Completely overhauled and ready to go. Store went belly up. Since then I've been looking for the best MPC & reeds. FOUND THEM! Got a buffet wooden MPC....(off ebay) came with a beautiful wooden cap and Jerome Thibourville lig.....AND a Pristini reed trimmer.....ALL for $32 plus change. The MPC plays like "butter' with Zonda #2 1/2 reeds. Every time I play it, it is a dream. Never have I said "Oh damn". It just "works!" EVERYTIME! Even when I'm not in the mood and just practicing to keep up, it works.
The search is over. I don't know if you've ever experienced this or not...but I'll tell you what. Artie Shaw was right...(you'll have to listen to his PBS interview)
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-04-14 05:49
john...If I remember correctly your 1967 R-13 is 96xxx. My favorite (by far) of my Buffet collection is my 96xxx as well. (Remember the thread about us being "cousins"?)
My set up (mouthpiece, reed, ligature) is markedly different than yours, but the sound and flexibility of those vintage years is truly marvelous.
Congratulations on your instrument and the satisfation of (quickly) finding your ideal set up...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-04-14 13:52
I also found my ideal setup the other day. Sadly it's too expensive for me to afford at the moment...
CLARINET:
Remember the thread I started a few weeks ago about 60's clarinets? My friend's mysterious pro-model horn (She doesn't know what model it is either, I'm guessing an R-13) is the first stage to the setup.
MOUTHPEICE:
Our old band director either makes his own mouthpeices or knows someone who does. Either way they're the best I've ever played. I'll ask him the maker when I see him. they go for about $90 a pop (I was shocked when I heard that.) so I'm ecstatic to get one.
Add a Rovner Dark and some Vandoren 5's (yes, 5's) and I sound NICE!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-04-14 15:23
I also found part of my perfect setup recently. It was almost midnight and I decided to check out eBay before I went to bed. I soon came upon a used R-13 with a "buy it now" price that was too low to believe. Further, the listing was published only a short time before I signed on.I was the first to view it. It had been purchased used from the original owner and then refurbished with corks on the upper and goretex on the lower and then stored when the new owner encountered a medical problem. Needless to say I snatched it up immediately and have been overjoyed with it. It came with a nylon looking plastic lig the likes of which I had never seen before. Haven't tried that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-04-14 15:48
The best set-up is the one that works for you. There is no "one size fits all" reed/mouthpiece duo that will be best for everyone. Good Experimenting (with the 1,000s of possibilities) and (in the meantime) Good Clarineting!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sarah
Date: 2002-04-14 16:08
Congrats on finding something that works for you!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-04-15 23:20
For goodness sake ... it seems to me that people are always worrying about their "perfect" setup. My old clarinet teacher (played in the Sydney Symphony at one time) told me not to worry overly about "mouthpieces, or reeds" but to concentrate on my technique and play my scales and studies until I "bled" them. I agree, that a good reed and mouthpiece is very important, but it seems to me we all worry about "owning the perfect clarinet "R13", or the perfect reed". Enjoy the MUSIC it's the end result, afterall.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kat
Date: 2002-04-16 01:40
I agree with Diz. I have never been what a buddy of mine called a "gear slut." (No disrespect to anyone on this board intended...I just wanted to pass this amusing little term along...)
That said, there are certain clarinets I still need. For me it's about the right key configuration. To play Bulgarian wedding music, I need a Selmer Full Boehm. The MUSIC wouldn't really be correct without it. I have a Turkish G clarinet. With this, I use a Vandoren 5 JB and paper-thin reeds. Again, it's in order to perform the music at least something like it's "supposed" to sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-04-16 02:25
I normally don't get worked up over setup (I try to adapt to what I am given because I don't have much choice.) It's just I found this one by accident. I borrowed the friend's clarinet again and found everything to play wonderfully, and I almost dropped the clarinet in surprise.
I always try to evolve, not change my environment.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
