 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-05-29 21:38
There are three Alto Clarinets on e-bay, (forget your hatred of alto clarinets for the moment). All three are listed by the same seller, and all three were entered and will close on the same date. Take a look at the bids and explain why (the descriptions are the usual cryptic know-nothing comments) the wide difference and the numbers of bidders:
Alto Clarinet Buffet Wood
$71.00
6
Jun-01 13:50
Alto Clarinet Leblanc Wood
$61.00
2
Jun-01 13:57
Alto Clarinet Selmer Wood
$104.84
4
Jun-01 14:04
Go figure?
Bob A
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-29 23:01
Why cut off your nose to spite your face - if the instrument works for you, then use it - who gives a tinker's cuss about the brand
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-05-30 01:23
diz, my exact thought---but what would cause such a difference? The R-13 Buffet mindset?
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-30 01:27
Selmer has a good reputation for their harmony clarinets. Like in elections for public office, name recognition is often the deciding factor.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-30 13:41
I have no experience with Buffet, but I have owned a LeBlanc, and now prefer the Selmer [both pro horns], more based on the tone quality/bore size relationship than on fingering ease. Don
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-05-30 16:08
Brand name clarinets have good resale value. My King Marigoux 350 and vintage Kahlert LP can kick ass of an R-13 any time...V
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-30 19:02
I'm with Vytas --- my old Couesnon (who?) clarinets will stand up to almost any R-13, and cost but a fraction of the 'big-name' price.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-05-31 20:48
David,.. I’m also interested in Couesnon. Does your clarinet have Pb LP marking? I know it makes no sense, but yes… it’s Pb and not a Bb. Seller sent me a picture with the marking. Any idea what it is…V
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-06-02 03:00
I'm not sure what, if anything, this says about "brand name favoritism." The Buffet drew the highest price but it was about 15 years newer than the Selmer. Also note that the Selmer only ranged to low E and had no plateau keys on the lower joint. IMHO, those two features -- particularly the plateau keys -- are worth more than $50. For anyone who finds the finger spread on an A clarinet uncomfortable, ... ouch.
If plating is any indication of overall condition, the Buffet was in better shape than the other two. However, it was an Academy model and I'm not sure what that means for alto clarinets. I have heard two stories regarding Academy Bb's, which may be true or which may be urban legend. (1) After Buffet had introduced the polycylindrical bore, Hans Moennig identified a serious flaw in the design. Buffet altered the design, stamped the unsold original design models "Adademy" and sold them more or less as seconds. (Search the Klarinet archives for "Moennig Academy Swiney" or some combination of these without the quotes and the message from Alvin Swiney, who claims to be Moennig's last apprentice, will probably turn up.) (2) Some Academy instruments were R13's rejected for minor cosmetic flaws in the plating or wood. (Presumably during a different period than such instruments were being designated Evette & Schaeffer Master Models. LOL.) The Buffet also had a "repaired post" but the repair was not detailed. That may have held the bidding down somewhat.
I've never been able to figure out the Leblanc numbering system so I don't have a clue about that instrument's age but, if I had to guess, I would say 40's or 50's. From the pictures, it looked to be in ugly condition and back in the 40's and 50's, the reputation gap between Leblanc's and the other two brands was even greater than it is today. Perhaps there was a reason.
BTW, based on a conversation I had with the guy at Mozingo who handles their occasional eBay sales, these instruments all came in from area school districts.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-06-03 11:08
If it is any indication of the times we live in the whole Brand name thing does not make the instrument any better. in fact the wood on much of the newer R13s I feel is generally less than what it used to. Also the Selmer lower pitch models are the cream of the crop but becuase of marketing and advertising one would never know this...sadly the big firms don't realize that there are definitive problems in quality control and that mass production of woodwinds is taking its toll. There is definitely a Brand name thing out there, but this does not make any instrument maker better than the other!
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