 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2002-04-22 14:36
Hello all!!!
I was wondering what you fellas thought about the Yamaha Custom SEV model vs. Buffet R13, or Festival. I know they're both pro horns, I was just looking for some comments regarding them. I play on a Yamaha which is newly purchased this year and really like it a lot.
Heidi
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2002-04-22 15:49
The Yamaha SEV and the Buffet Festival are very similar in their body designs, wood, etc.
I think it's all about which you'd prefer to play. Both are excellent mechanically, and tonality.
My personal opinion is to get the Festival for the standard eb/ab lever, but that's just my opinion.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-04-22 16:04
If you like what you are playing, that is a good percentage of ones decision-making process. The other part may be what other people think or require. I was told by a NYC professional clarinetist that he loved the way the LeBlanc clarinets played, but he was forced to play Buffets by the musicians he plays with in "the City", or go unemployed. My old clarinet professor was told pretty much the same thing by the univeristy faculty woodwind quintet. They would not let him play his new LeBlanc Opus in the ensemble insisting that the "sound" they required could only be produced by his old Buffet R-13s. However, in the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra clarinet section, the principal plays LeBlancs, the assistant principal plays Yamahas, and the second and bass players both exclusively play Buffets. And they sound great together!! I play LeBlanc Concertos because I like their even scale between registers and their superior intonation. But.... whenever I hear a clarinetist whose sound I really like, they are always playing on some model of Buffet. Bottom line: you may be more "accepted" in auditions if you are playing the "correct" brand of clarinet. Often, it is not how good you are as much it is how good you appear. There must be some reason why we all dress especially well when going for a new job interview. "Dress for success" or, play "Buffet to impress", and then, when you get the job, switch to whatever instrument you like better--if, that is, your co-players or conductor will let you. I know I am rambling, but a story just came to mind about the great conductor, Sir John Babarolli. The principal clarinetist was playing an A part on his Bb, when the great conductor stopped the rehearsal, insisting that he immediantly switch to his A because the sound was not what the composer had intended. The clarinetist, whose A clarinet was in repair, simply put his Bb back in its case...and then took it out again and resumed playing. Sir John said approvingly, "That's better!! That's the sound I want!" True story (I am told). Hope this all helps a bit--Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-04-22 22:38
Funny story.
It's all a matter of preconseption. I often play my old Evette and get compliments on tone. When I tell people what I'm playing then they start making negative coments on my sound.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-04-23 21:58
I think the Buffet Festival is a better choice for the long-haul because it plays well with others and has a great reputation. I've got one and love it. I've had some intonation problems with other players who were using the Yamahas and really don't recommend them for serious orchestral students/players. But, each to his/her own. I have a friend with a Yamaha who loves it and he's pretty good--so go figure!
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Author: Q.O.M.
Date: 2002-04-23 22:48
Put tape over the labels and judge the horn on playing merits.
How many orchestral players use a stock instrument, anyway?
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-04-24 04:33
If you're serious about getting playing jobs, I really would recommend buffet. Whatver you happen to prefer, you have to admit that there are differences in sound, intonation, and playing characteristics between different makes of horns.
It's a fact that most people play buffets, and the person you're playing with isn't going to want to contort himself all up to try and match your sound. I'm not saying that you can't sound good on any horn, but this would be the safe bet...
William, are you sure that all those guys in Chicago really play yamahas and leblancs, or do they just endorse them?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-04-24 04:39
If you can, in all honesty, tell me that the professional Buffet players don't get endorsements then I'll eat my hat.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2002-04-24 04:49
diz said "If you can, in all honesty, tell me that the professional Buffet players don't get endorsements then I'll eat my hat."
Would you like some salt and freshly ground pepper with that?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-04-24 04:52
No thanks, just some sweet-chilli sauce, thank you.
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Author: David Dow symphony NB
Date: 2002-04-24 14:13
I have played pro for over 20 years and have found all insturments have quirks. Some Buffets are great, then others are awful(tuningetc.) the trick is to get a clarinet at first that responds and has good tuning and tonal qualities....this is alot to ask for. Some yamahas have not worked so well for colleagues of mine> I use Selmers now but also choose from many clarinets. I also have a lovely A from Buffet from the 60s that is spot on in tuning...so the choice is tricky...a pro could be good to enlist in the choice. Some of the Leblancs atre fine as well...Also look for an instrument that tunes flexibly and also isn't flat. I had a set of Yamahas that we're so flat....we'll thats another story and they we're Customs.'
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2002-04-24 14:51
You guys have given me a lot of insight. I had no idea the politics of the music world were so picky. (Buffets over anything). I guess I'm pretty naive.
Anyway, the Yamaha I have now took a little while to get used too...it played flat for about a month and then I got used to it and now it plays with the same or better intonation as before. I feel my sound has really improved a lot playing with a quality instrument ( I was on a buffet E11). The responce is very good, the sound is good, everything is very consistant. I find it very exciting!
Thank you all for your good advice! It really gives me something to consider!
Heidi
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