 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Pete
Date: 2002-07-16 00:39
I am a fairly accomplished piano player (of fifty years) and I used to play the sax fairly well (in dance bands and jazz combos), but that's been forty years now. I now want to buy a clarinet to play on my sailboat as I move into retirement. I have spent a lifetime "underbuying," then selling to buy better. Here in Milwaukee I can buy used either a Selmer 10S or a Buffet R13, both of roughly the same vintage, both "roughly" the same price. What should be my considerations? And what is all this fuss about mouthpieces? In my day it wasn't such a big deal. What mouthpiece would match either instrument?
I realize that if someone asked me these sort of questions about pianos, I'd roll my eyes and wonder where to start....
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Author: Dieter
Date: 2002-07-16 00:54
Well, the smart people on this BB said recently that there is a 'mafia' that will make sure you never play in public if you don't play an R-13. I suspect they are right. No sense messing around. Can't change sad reality.
Theres your answer.
Dieter
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Author: madvax
Date: 2002-07-16 02:00
Pete wrote:
> I can buy used either a Selmer 10S or a Buffet R13, both of
> roughly the same vintage, both "roughly" the same price.
> What should be my considerations?
Both are great horns and you really can't go wrong. Pick the one you like the best. If you're still not sure, find someone that knows how to play and let them help. If you can't do that, then pick the one that has the most comfortable feel to you.
> And what is all this fuss about mouthpieces? In my day
> it wasn't such a big deal. What mouthpiece would match
> either instrument?
If you're new or returning to the game after a long absence, a decent mouthpiece can make all the difference. A friendly mouthpiece helps prevent bad habits, such as biting. etc. It also makes the instrument easier to play. My recommendation is you go with a good student mouthpiece, such as the Hite Premier or Fobes Debut, until your chops are somewhat developed. After that, you might want to experiment with different mouthpiece/reed combinations to obtain the type of sound you're after.
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Author: Dan
Date: 2002-07-16 02:07
I think you would be fine either way, although I'd watch out for the "mafia". Selmers tend to have very good intonation and an even sound, maybe a bit darker than the Buffet. The Buffet does not have as good intonation but has a sound that is maybe a bit more detailed, more life to it. Try to play them before you buy, or if you are just starting, maybe have a friend that is a player try them for you. Really, if you want a clarinet for enjoyment as you retire, either would do just fine; both have about the same resale value. I have noticed that most sax players and doublers have liked the Selmers better.
As for mouthpieces, try some Vandorens, 5rv Lyre, B45, B40, maybe M13. If you're adventurous, try some of the upper line custom mouthpieces like Richard Hawkins, Greg Smith, Pyne, Hite, to name a few. Please dont make the mistake of playing on what people say is standard or what they think you should use, like this genius Dieter. There's too much of that crap going round; experiment and make up you're own mind.
If you do choose the Selmer, I would get a machine gun put on the deck of your boat to fend off the clarinet "mafia".
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2002-07-16 03:42
A clarinet to play on your sailboat? Are you talking salt water sailing? Damp, Wet, Salty Water? The kind that swells wood and quickly rusts screws and springs? I don't think you would be using your new top of the line instrument as a paddle but the salt air is not friendly to wood or metal. Perhaps a clarinet with a plastic or greenline body. Of course, if you have an air-conditioned cabin and are a fresh water sailor forget I said anything....
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Author: James
Date: 2002-07-16 03:42
When people post things like, "what should i buy" I always am facinated to see what people will say about the subject.
Buffet and Selmer.... Which to buy.... Well personally what ever the heck works for you. Pick whatever you feel brings to you what you want out of a clarinet. The HELL with everyone and everything that has a problem with it.
For myself here is what has worked for me very well and which I am very happy with:
Buffet R-13 (silver-plated keys)
Chadash Barrel
Richard Hawkins "B"
Vandoran Optimum Ligature
Vandoren V-12 (#4)
And soon to be worked on by brannens.
Honestly, I love my R-13. It has brought me what I want out of a clarinet. It has that geogous tone which myself and the mofia are addicted to. And let me tell you it is definately not a bad thing to like a buffets sound. I can tell you though that buffet scale isn't the holy grail. But if you are a good player, you can learn to play intune with yourself. Those selmers have great intonation. but when I play them, I get this too dark tone and weird feeling from the horn. But that is when I play the horns though. I know people who have sounded absolutley Fabulous (and I don't use the F word lightly) playing those selmers. So pick whatever the heck you want.
As Far as mouthpieces. I figure since you are buying a used horn that maybe money isn't something you love to throw away on new retail. Richard Hawkins makes amazing mouthpieces. For a long time I would never touch those vandoren mouthpieces becuase I felt so stuffy when I played them. Recently though, they came out with this new mouthpiece called the M15 (13 series). They are absolutley awesome mouthpieces. They give you this flexibility. But thats just advice. Have fun finding what you like. We are lucky that we have so many options to choose from.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-07-16 14:07
Pete, simple solution, just take me along and I'll play whatever you wish. One would assume that Pete is talking about sailing Lake Michigan primarily and although not salty certainly humid. Since you asked,however, if it were me I'd buy a good used plastic horn, throw a VD 5RVLyre on it and see how it goes. Then if you arent' happy with it throw it overboard and buy something better.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-07-16 14:21
Pete, if you're just playing to have fun, both horns have good intonation and aren't damaged - then who cares? They're both fine horns. Both will become acclimated to humid weather (or we wouldn't have clarinets in New Orleans!)
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-07-16 15:24
All horns sound a little different even within each model. You've got to pick up each one and hear which one sounds and feels the best to you. And the m/p will make a huge difference in your ease of play and tone. That's why we talk about it so much. Good luck! Paul
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Author: Rob bell
Date: 2002-07-16 19:43
I use R-13 clarinets and think there superb. With them i have a B45 & B40 (the b40 being slighlty closer) vandoren mouthpieces and a vandoren optimum lig. I really like the setup.
Rob
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Author: Miklos Brabec
Date: 2002-07-17 19:33
I think you should try what you prefer. In other words both models are very nice and again mouthpieces are more of a personal thing and rather like apples over oranges. The selmers can be very nice and posasess eveness and R13 and Buffet genersally play quite nice. Go with your personal feelings Sincerely>>>>>>>Miklos B
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Author: Joe
Date: 2002-07-19 01:52
If you're looking at a certain model of instrument esp. R-13's, each instrument will play very differently. My advice is to play them both and decide which you like. There are some phenominal R-13's, but there are also some toilet plumbing R-13's. The same applies to Selmer, although their quality control is better.
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