 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-07-02 02:20
Recently I got my hands on a Schreiber Aura, a short lived professional clarinet from the makers of the Buffet E11. When I first put my mouthpiece on it and gave it a play I didn't like it at all and found it to be too resistant. After cleaning and oiling it I discovered the cause of the problem. For some reason, the bore of the barrel has a weird hourglass shape that gets extremely narrow at the center. I tried swapping the barrel with one from my Buffet Festival and was immediately blown away. This instrument now plays almost identically to my Festival with only some minor differences. But the similarities don't stop there, not only do many of the keys look identical, but they are even interchangeable between the two instruments in a few cases. I then got out my calipers and did some measuring.
Bore at middle socket:
Aura: 14.64
Festival 14.63
Bore at upper tenon:
Aura: 14.90
Festival: 14.88
Unfortunately I don't have a way to measure the inside of the bore accurately, however as best as can tell the flare in the lower joint is identical between the two instruments. Of course there are still some differences between the designs, however as best as I can tell the bore, tone hole locations and sizes are very similar if not the same (with the exception of the register vent which is higher on the Festival). I think with a Buffet barrel to replace the stock barrel these instruments could be a really great cheap alternative to the R13.
Has anyone here tried the Aura? What are your opinions of the instrument?
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2019-07-02 12:20
Considering Schreiber have famously made clarinets for Buffet, it's always possible.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-07-05 12:58
A couple of years ago I bought a Schreiber clarinet in poor condition. Recently it worked its way to the top of the "To Do" list and I set about stripping it. I'd just finished restoring an old Buffet E11 and noted some marked similarities. On closer examination they appear to be pretty well identical, down to interchangeability of parts. A pad set that I'd previously prepared for an E11 fitted just fine. It plays and tunes quite well.
Tony F.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-07-06 19:49
A bit of an update on this. I tried every barrel I have on this instrument and found that a 1980s Buffet R13 barrel produces the best response and intonation. I then purchased a bell from a Buffet R13 Vintage to replace the stock bell. The bell had a hole in it, which I was originally going to fill, but I actually found that it improves the response and intonation of the B and E so I am going to leave it as is. I also replaced the stock thumb rest with a Buffet thumb rest as the stock was too low for me.
After these modifications I can now say that this instrument plays better than my Buffet Festival in most respects. Just to be sure I gave it to my girlfriend to try side by side with her Festival (which is much newer than mine) and she found it to be more free blowing and responsive. After this I have decided to make this my main Bb.
In total with all the accessories I'm in this clarinet less than $500. I could not be happier with this instrument given my initial impression.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2019-07-08 20:06
Jdbassplayer, I am very happy for you!
My favorite clarinet cost me a grand total of around $500, as well:
Yamaha clarinet, from the local pawn shop: $100
Service from my favorite tech, including installation of cork pads on the normally-closed upper joint key cups: $220
Backun Traditional bell in cocobolo with voicing groove: $99 (!)
Backun Fatboy barrel in cocobolo: $59
Sometimes the planets align, and the right clarinet gear shows up out of nowhere.
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