 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-11-08 03:48
I have searched through the archives of discussions on the Opus II
already. Yet, I didn't find this aspect discussed. I am in the
market for a new set of clarinets. I have played on Buffet R13's
faithfully. My Bb has developed a crack, so I am shopping. I am
considering the Opus II because I played on a few at the Oklahoma
Symposium this past summer and really enjoyed the response, tone,
and ease of playing between registers. Also, the upper register
notes seemed very focussed while the color was consistent
throughout the entire range. I was "all go" for seriously
considering this instrument until I've been told by some people
that they produce a "tubby" sound... tubby like dark without "real"
resonance. Any Opus or Opus II fans out there agree with this? Or
how do you feel the resonance of the Opus II compares with say an
R13? I have been told to consider trying the R13 Prestige before
giving up on Buffet. Do you know how the Prestige and Opus II
compare? Lot's of questions... but, I would like to hear what
everyone has to say. Thanks in advance!
-Kristen D.
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Author: Dieter
Date: 2002-11-08 03:55
#1 What does the Opus II cost? I am curious
#2 Is there anyone out there who actually plays one of these on the job? From what I hear no one uses it.
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-11-08 06:24
Retail cost is around $6,000, and most companies offer it for around $3,500.
It's not played so much right now because it is still a fairly new model.
-Kristen D.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-08 12:06
It's YOUR money, right?
Did you hear any of this 'tubbiness' during test play?
Seems to me, you should trust your own ears - rather than heresay.
Purchase of any instrument should be, well... personal.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2002-11-08 12:53
First, do you like your current instruments? Unless your crack has gone through to the bore (which would be unlikely if you caught it anytime soon, I would think...), why don't you simply get it pinned?
Pinning a crack -- if done correctly -- shouldn't diminish the playing characteristics at all (at least, they haven't with the instruments of mine that have cracked, nor those of my colleagues).
If you hate your current instrument(s)...well, it's your money! But it seems rather ludicrous to use a crack as an excuse to replace an otherwise good instrument.
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Author: Larry Combs
Date: 2002-11-08 14:51
Kristen-
I have used the Opus and Opus II since they have been available and agree with your assessment of the ones you tried.
In my opinion they are the only instruments which allow me to achieve the warmth and resonance which I desire minus the edgy quality of other instruments.
I doubt that the quality of tubbiness is in any way inherent in the Opus II--sounds like a mouthpiece or reed thing to me.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-11-08 14:53
I agree with Larry. I have many colleagues who have had horns crack and they work fine. Second- I second the notion that if you like the tone of the Opus and it works for you, don't worry about what others say.
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Author: Julie DeRoche
Date: 2002-11-08 16:36
Hello everyone,
I am happy that this topic came up. It is a pleasure to see Larry defend an instrument that is high quality. In my opinion, all of the characteristics that Kristen found in her test of the instruments are true. And "tubby" is about the last word I would use to describe the Opus. I would guess if that were true, people would say that Larry and I sound tubby. Who knows? Maybe they do.
The most important thing is to trust your own judgement.
The second important thing is to realize that there are a lot of people who grew up in a day when everyone played the R13 because there were very few choices other than that. In the meantime, all of the major instrument companies have made product improvements, and this gives the clarinet world many more options than it used to have. But there are still those players out there that do not realize this, and think that the only "good" clarinet must be Buffet. In fact, Buffet is good. But so is the Opus, and so are many other instrments. Each of us must choose what we like, create the sound that we desire, and let our instrument, mouthpiece, reeds, embouchure and playing style help us to achieve our desired result. But please, never close your mind.
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Author: James
Date: 2002-11-08 17:11
Yeah... I don't believe I have ever heard the opus referred to as "tubby" but whatever floats a persons boat. I think the opus has a great consistentcy to it. They have qualities that buffet clarinets certainly do not possess but I also feel leblancs do as well lack certain qualities that buffet clarinets have. It's your choice to choose what works for you. I played on Leblanc for a few years and decided even with the qualities of the horn that it didn't work for me and switched back to buffet, but let me tell you. I definately miss the intune high F, and F# and the tone consistency of leblanc horns. Good luck in your choice.
-James
PS. Remember all clarinets are different even with in the same model, which is good becuase all clarinetist different.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-11-08 18:24
I own and play on the Opus II very regularly. I love the way it feels and sounds. It is very smooth and even in all registers, the throat tones are good and the horn plays in tune.
Each horn has its own quality. Even though they can be the same model and brand, they can still sound or feel different from one another in some slight way. So if you are seriously considering this brand and model, try a couple of the same model and see which one you like the best.
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-11-08 19:44
This is off topic a bit, since I know nothing about the Opus II. I want to say how fortunate we are to have folks like Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, and Greg Smith periodically looking in and participating in these discussion. "Wow" is about the best word I can come up with right now. But, WOW!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-08 20:02
Vic...I agree, but some of the "regulars" (Ken Shaw, HAT, JMoses, William, Ken Kolb, David Dow, jez, The Doctor, and other pros in their respective field) are not too shabby to have around either.
Their respective knowledge in all matters pertaining to the clarinet is most impressive...GBK (apologies extended to other "regulars" and "irregulars" I may have omitted)
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-11-08 20:10
GBK - you're absolutely right, of course. I certainly didn't mean to exclude the folks you mentioned, especially since I've received the benefit of their (and your) advice. I've benefited greatly from all of them. So: Ken Shaw, HAT, JMoses, William, Ken Kolb, David Dow, jez, The Doctor, and you too, GBK, thank you all very much - know that I truly value your input. The board would be something much less without all of you. And, as GBK mentioned, my apologies to anyone else left off that list. It's a great board, filled with interesting and informative discussion.
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-11-08 20:15
Thank you for the responses and advice. I am well-known for having
an open mind for a piece of equipment. I would never rely on
opinions to make a decision without forming my own opinion as well.
I just wanted to hear reactions and was especially happy to hear
what Larry and Julie had to say. As far as why I am looking to
replace my clarinets... I was already considering the Opus II for
a change before my clarinet cracked. I'm not using it for an
excuse. Even if I do buy new clarinets, I'm sure I'll hold on to my
R13's. Thanks again for your responses! It's always nice to post
questions and thoughts here!
-Kristen D.
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2002-11-08 21:47
Richard Hawkins plays on an Opus (don't know if it's the II), and when we talked he only had good things to say about it.
I have an Opus as well, and although I'm about the farthest you can get from Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, Greg Smith and Richard Hawkings in terms of talent, I'll nonetheless add my 2 cents that I love my Opus and haven't experienced any problems in terms of resonance or other tonal qualities. Also my teacher who plays for the Florida Philharmonic thinks my Opus is particularly good.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-11-09 13:40
I would add that the Opus models are all very consistent in tone through the entire compass and feel that for tuning they are very fine.
People also tend to hear different things in tone which others may like or dislike. some mouthpieces over a period of time will lose their inherent focus or hold in the sound.
Although I personally don't play on them, I think they are fine instuments and project nicely with ease. My students sound great on them!
Even different reeds can sound tubby or unfocused so I would say be open in judging the sound based on all the different factors....
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-09 14:10
PS - I had a rare NY opportunity to hear LC at Vassar last year...
he ROCKS! Anyone unfamiliar with his performances should take
the required drive to hear this guy play.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-10 00:36
Any time an adjective is used to describe the sound of a Clarinet, the wonder strikes me: as opposed to what? So if "tubby" is defined as (which it is) either short and fat or having a dull, thumping soound and without resonance, and that's bad, what's good? Tall and skinny? Slashingly sharp, thumpless? Resonant? Kristen, to the best of my recollection, I have never heard any Clarinet operated by any player which might be considered reasonably to have a "Tubby" sound. An untuned bass drum might meet the definition of "Tubby," but a Leblanc Opus? Come now. A suggestion: whoever made that comment is either mistaken, misinformed, prejudiced, or simply nuts. Perhaps that person is a potential recruit for the proposed Nothing But A Buffet Is Good Enough For Me Society, "The Polycylindrical Bores."
Regards,
John
who sometimes uses a black Velcro ligature to encourage that "dark" sound
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-10 16:21
Irwin--just a point of clarification:
Greg Smith (Chicago Symphony) plays exclusively on Buffets. He did play on my Concerto Bb and proclaimed it to be the "most R13-like clarinet" he has tried. (a "soft" approval of LeBlanc's--???)
BTW--after eight years of playing exclusively on Concerto's (which are accoustically identical to the Opus's), I have recently returned to my R13's for the added resonance in their sound. The Concerto's are superior in very way to the Buffets, except I just can't get the same "ring" in the sound as I can from my old Buffet's. But then, it is probably--as Larry Combs suggested--a "mouthpiece or reed thing." But maybe it is related to my inner tonal concept formed from years of listening to, and playing on, Buffets. (probably, I'm just an old dog who can't learn new tricks)
After all, as the arundo donax is bent, so grows the clarinetist.
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Author: Carmen Izzo
Date: 2002-11-11 00:51
Once again, I have seen Mr. Combs' wisdom in action. I was playing in rehearsal today with my Noblet 45 on an especially hard reed (which was nice for produce a dark sound on a very bright instrument). Then during our break, I tried out my friend's Opus and I got a much more resonant sound. Then afterwards, I played on our section leader's R-13, and got a much brighter and less resonant sound. So, before anyone judges a horn, I would say try different moutpieces and reeds and really strive to match up one combonation with the other!
Good clarinetting All!
Carmen Izzo
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-11-12 11:07
The other thing one could add i know that many players out there just can't play certain type set up's if I may say. No matter what the physical morphology of a given person will dictate what they can and can not play on...
Sincerely
D Dow
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