 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-01-07 01:50
First of all, happy new year to everyone!
Most of you will remember the [huge] post about the new horns I was thinking about getting. Well, I've decided to take some people's suggestions and *not* go ahead with these grossly expensive horns!
I'm going to take my time and select a new R13 A here in Melbourne, then send it along with my existing Bb to be 'Brannenized'.
I decided this because I could see myself becoming lazy and adopting a bad attitude if I had these 'hotrod' clarinets. This way I also save about AU$8,000. A huge relief.
I'll get these awesome horns in about 10 year's time when I'm a professional. One of my best friends who works in the shop here can get me a really fantastic price, and I get to choose the horn as well as take it to my teacher for him to try as well, all before I make the final decision to buy!
Again, a big thank you to everyone here, and again, to Greg Smith who always seems to give so much time to everyone!
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-01-07 11:20
A wise decision indeed... BUT:
"I'll get these awesome horns in about 10 year's time when I'm a professional."
I haven't done much reading on the Boosey and Hawkes current financial situation, but I have a feeling they are going under and it may be possible that in 10 years time, Buffet might be a name of the past? I'm trying to find a good Buffet Eb clarinet now before the quality of instruments produced declines any further. Otherwise I would hold off until I have finished my studies.
As well as trying the R13 A's in Melbourne, maybe you should also get in touch with For Winds in Brisbane (or I could do it for you before I move to Melbourne). They are one of the biggest Buffet retailers in Australia. It would be worth trying to get some of their stock sent down to Melbourne. They have recently merged with a company called Musicorp which is a nation-wide company...so they shouldn't have much trouble getting Brisbane's stock sent down to Melbourne.
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Author: brenda siewert
Date: 2003-01-07 16:33
In ten years, whether or not Buffet clarinets survive the financial shake up, there will be good clarinets to buy. The musicians of the world will demand it and someone will be willing to make it. So, don't worry about it now. Go ahead with your plan.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-07 21:09
Try Wright's Music at North Fitzroy, St. Georges Rd if my memory serves me. He is a Boosey dealer and generally has quite a few in stock to try out. They are also Yamaha dealers so you can try out some of the competition. Peter Wright is the owner and he is a nice guy and good to deal with.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-01-08 03:23
Thanks mark, never heard of them, and they're right around the corner from me (almost literally!).
Nick - you're right, Buffet may not be around, but like Brenda said, there will be other top-line manufacturers around. And who knows,maybe BETTER than Buffet???
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-08 12:23
Ah, 'tire kickers'...
where would the endless waffling about mega-buck equipment and expensive services be without them?
How long did this pointless exercise take to reach the inevitable?
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-09 00:08
If things keep going the way they are, 10 years from now there might not be any "real" instruments left to buy, except used ones built long before synthesizers took over the music scene!
Hopefully there will still be "real" musicians left who can play them!
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Author: d dow
Date: 2003-01-09 00:25
I would probably think that Buffet crampon could easily be purchased out from under Boosey quite easily and even maintain or outgrow its current standards.
Markets are as hard to judge as weather, so I would not be misled by guessing this may occur.
Many in England during the 40s felt Buffet would never live through World War 2 and yet they survived it plus the crippling depression of the 30s.
Sadly enough, many compaines are amalgamating under one Banner --d this could be enough to negate the quality of the buffet product to nil... if this occurs you may still have buffet clarinets but utter garbage to play on!
Hopeful for buffet,
D Dow
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Author: Mark Sloss
Date: 2003-01-09 12:23
Morrigan,
Consider it from another angle (or maybe two). First of all, professional-quality instruments are an investment in your future. If you are serious about the clarinet, either as a pro or hard-core amateur, you will only be able to craft your sound and technique to the nth degree if the instruments permit it (regardless of brand). True, the greats sound pretty much the same whether they pick up a Vito or an R13, but the devil is in the detail. The "pro" instruments wouldn't exist if there wasn't something special about them.
Relative to a lot of other wind instruments (flutes come immediately to mind) clarinets are still relatively cheap. Good clarinets, as with most instruments, also will hold their value if they are cared for. I saw a statistic in a flyer from a Steinway dealer demonstrating that a Steinway was a better investment than the global stock markets. I wouldn't put all my retirement money in Moennig barrels just yet, but if you can make an investment that holds value over time, AND gives you the rewards of a great instrument, why not?
Finally, if Buffet goes "poof" and vanishes, there is no telling how much the existing instruments will appreciate in value, regardless of how good the competition is. The mystique will just be magnified. Even if they stay in biz, all indications are that prices will have to rise (a lot) to keep the operation viable. If they jack prices 7% a year, it will cost you around twice as much in 10 years to by the same instrument.
It's easy to spend other people's money, so I'm contributing my 2 cents to your cause ;->
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