 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Snoink
Date: 2002-07-26 05:27
Okay, to make a long story short I am a kid shopping for an instrument to replace my rented one.
So far I have been to two different music stores and tried out 10 different instruments including the Yamaha Allego, Leblanc 1020 Sonata, and Buffet's E11, R13, and finally the E13.
I have tried out the Yamaha and the Leblanc and liked them. The Yamaha I particularly liked since it had a familiar feeling to it.
But my dad insisted that I should look more, so I did ; )
In particular I was interested in the R13. I mean if there's a mafia of people who play R13s than it has to be good or otherwise they wouldn't be playing them, right? So I set to find out once and for all if the R13 is really as good as it's hyped.
The first R13 was good. The second one which I tried out in the second music store was OK but it wasn't spectacular or anything. Besides that there was a huge price tag on it.
The clerk assisting me then suggested that I should try the E13. I wasn't that amused, so far the E11s had been nothing but torture for me and I had tried out three of them and I thought the E13 might be like that. But I accepted and he brought it out.
I must admit I think I fell in love. The E13 was nothing short of delightful to play. All the notes sounded wonderful, the high notes sounded sweet and unlike the E11 you could actually blow a nice middle B without having it sound terrible. I have noticed a tingy sound in many of the beginner and intermediate instruments; with the E13 it was gone. Also it was completely in tune. With other instruments, even the R13s, I had to pull out to make it less sharp. With this I didn't have to.
The only problem was the price tag. Usually this wouldn't be a problem because people my age usually have their parents buy it for them. Alas, my parents want to split the cost, so I must be frugal. With this clarinet at this music store I would end up paying $700.67 for it. I can afford it, but I have found better deals on the web.
My questions: Are E13s like R13s in the way that they are unpredictable and each one plays differently? So basically can I order something from the web for hundreds less and expect the very same thing I tried in the shop? Or was the E13 I tried extremely rare and should I snatch it before anyone else?
I am still in the process of shopping of course, but I think I may be ending my quest for the perfect clarinet soon. Thanks for all of your help.
Snoink
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-26 05:31
Buying a Buffet clarinet is like taking a ticket in a lottery - you might just end up with a winner - but it will take a long time. Good luck.
p.s. - I like Buffet clarinets - they're fine instruments, but I'm NOT in the "Buffet Marfia" - nor do I ever intend joining.
Good to see you have the good sense to try out Leblanc and others - most don't - they just go with the Buffet's.
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Author: Gnomon (Eoin McAuley)
Date: 2002-07-26 08:04
The E13 I bought was also a beautiful instrument. My teacher reckoned it was as good as an R13. But he and the guy in the shop who sold it to me were surprised that it was so good. So I suppose that they are quite variable. I wouldn't spend serious money on an instrument without trying it first if I were you.
On the other hand, I tried my teacher's R13 Prestige (I think it was) and my niece's Selmer (can't remember the model) and they were both much easier to play than the E13, so there are better clarinets out there if you are willing to pay for them.
The E13 is generally considered to be an 'intermediate' clarinet. If you intend to play clarinet as a hobby, then it's probably good enough to be the only one you'll ever need. If you want to major in music and go on to be a professional clarinetist, you'll want something better later, so it might be worth going that little bit extra and buying the R13 now, (after trying out a load to get a good one).
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-07-26 14:21
Off-Subject: I use the "pay one-half" deal with our son and his musical equipment. I think it helps him to appreciate the value of the item, to understand the sacrifices one has to make to make such a purchase, and to become more conscious of its proper care and handling.
Good luck in your search.
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Author: James
Date: 2002-07-26 15:02
As a upcoming HS senior this year maybe someone like myself can help you out becuase I am at the same level of perspective as you are.
I have a friend of mine who will be a clarinet major at peabody this year. And I remember when he was going through the process of picking out a horn a few years back. His parents pushed him to get an E13 because they were a little cheaper so thats what he got. Now hes in the situation of paying the big bucks for college and probably wont be able to afford an r13 even though hes very ready for a set of those horns. I say go with the R13. I am a proud loud mouth of the "buffet mofia" Having three r13's to choose from is pretty umm dangerous. Quantity is the most important thing in picking out a horn. Like you must have atleast twelve horns to try of the same model. There are stores like the woodwind and brasswind. im not sure where you are but what you could do is go down there and go through all the horn and then have them ship it to you. They cost 1800 right now. THat's a good deal, after taxes i just payed for 2100 for my new clarinet. Anyhow good luck with your endeavors....
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Author: charles
Date: 2002-07-26 15:23
Hi I am a college freshman majoring im clarinet. I was looking at professional instruments to buy for college, and I went to the store near me that had many (Chuck Levins) I tried about 16 diffrent clarinets. Couple R-13's 2 Festivals, 1 Prestige, $ Greeenline R-13 and a few other brands professional lines like, Opus' and Sonotas. I ended up with the Greenline R-13 which I am very pleased with. It is the most beautiful horn that I tried out, I went with intonation up the whole clarinet, tuned every note on everyone. This had one little tiny fleck at the open throat A but that wasnt a big suprise to me. I have compared it to many other clarinets since, and have found nothing superior. I think all it is, is not what anoyne tells you to buy, its what you feel most comfortable with, but I will say, dont underbuy. I bought an E13 the year before and I wasted my money, luckily I kept it in good enough condition to sell for the same price. But the point I am trying to make is, be happy with what you buy, it is a big investment if you just pay half like you are, or if you have to buy it yourself like I did. But the biggest part is ....HAVE FUN they are professional clarinets you are trying out, your really in the big leagues!!
Happy Hunting, Charles Munden
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2002-07-26 15:36
Uh, Snoink, isn't it not so good if you don't have to pull out at all to have the E13 be in tune (I presume you're only talking about the barrel)? What do you do when you're playing with a group of people who are tuned a little sharp?
Better save up some more money for a second, shorter barrel:-)
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Author: William
Date: 2002-07-26 17:50
Play as many clarinets as you can and buy the clarinet that YOU like best. All of the clarinets you've described are good instruments and in trying clarinets within each model range, you will find some good and some not-so-good. Therefore, an E-11 that is a superior example, might play better than a "top of the line" R-13, that is not-so-good. You have to be personally satisfied. As Duke says, "If it sounds good, it is good." A well tuned Chevy can outrun neglected Cadi any day.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-26 23:00
Snoink,
Instruments will show some variability so there's no guarantee that one you purchase blind off the internet will match the one you played at the store. The one you played at the store may be a gem. However, if you decide on a new E13, the Woodwind and Brasswind will sell you one for about $1,100 and they'll ship you three to try with the option of returning the two you like least (or all three if you don't like any) but you will have to pay the shipping. BTW, an R13 will run you a little over $1,600 at WW&BW. You can probably get similar deals from Fred Weiner, Muncy Winds and International Musical Suppliers. All of these are reputable dealers who will stand behind their instruments. As long as you adhere to their trial terms faithfully, you should not have a problem with any of them. Depending on where you live, you might also want to check on used instruments. A fully reconditioned Evette & Schaeffer (the forerunner to the E13) might go for $450 or less. A reconditioned or lightly used R13 might go for $1,100 or less.
If you plan to play your clarinet through high school and perhaps recreationally in college and beyond, an E13 is probably the last clarinet you will ever have to buy. On the other hand, if you plan to major in clarinet performance, you will eventually need to step up at least to the next level. (But, in that case, the E13 will be an acceptable back-up.) If you are going to play clarinet in marching band, you would be well-advised to pick up a cheap plastic clarinet to avoid wear and tear on your good one -- so include that in your consideration of total cost.
According to Buffet, the E13 is made in France in the same factory and with many of the same design features as the R13. The E11 is made in a separate factory in Germany using a somewhat less costly design. This may account for the differences you noticed between the E13 and E11 and the similarity you find between the R13 and E13. Given the difference in price between the E13 and the E11, it ought to be a better instrument.
Best regards,
jnk
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