 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-12-29 00:50
Hello. I am a fairly advanced player in high school (I tend to practice for several hours a day) and I was wondering if maybe I should upgrade a rather expensive and integral part of my setup, that is, the instrument. This instrument is a Buffet E 12 that I play with one of the new Pomarico jazz** mouthpieces and Mitchell Lurie reeds #3 (You can see what kind of music I do.) There isn't anything "wrong" with it per se, but it just feels like there is something lacking. I was looking at LeBlanc Big Easies (Easys?) because so many clarinets, R 13s included, just seem "bland." Do you think it might be worth it to upgrade to that, or maybe something else?
Thanks.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-29 01:38
Quote:
This instrument is a Buffet E 12 So they DO exist!!!!![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
The Big Easy, huh? That's the Pete Fountain clarinet, correct? I'm sure it'd be a good product. It's from a good company. And if that's the one with the art. G# and gold-plating you'd certainly be the envy of whoever's around you.
But I'd think twice about discounting something because it's "bland". As bland as R13s get (being everywhere), they do hold a great value for the buck, ESPECIALLY if you're considering buying used.
Before upgrading (as always) make sure you try before you buy. There's plenty of posts on how to choose a new clarinet, and a good article on Tom Ridenour's website on how to do it.
And if you're looking at used, don't count out (assuming you're looking for big bore clarinets) those old Boosey 1010s, Selmer Centered Tones . . . Hmmm . . . can't think of any more. You'd figure with the amount of time I spend here reading posts I'd at least retain some of the other names. Oh well. Someone will cover them at some point I'm sure, and correct me if I'm wrong with these two.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-12-29 01:57
Thank you! I know how popular and good R 13s are, but that sadly doesn't change their blandness. . .
The thing is, I don't live in a big city, so finding nice used clarinets is difficult and I think I'd be restricted to Woodwind and Brasswind.
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Author: madvax
Date: 2004-12-29 17:25
Celeborn wrote:
> ...it just feels like there is something lacking
> ...because so many clarinets, R 13s included, just seem "bland."
It would be helpful to define "lacking" and "bland". These descriptions are too vague to be really meaningful.
If you're looking for something fairly unique with that big bright jazz sound, you might also want to consider a vintage Selmer big bore, a Conn 444N, or a Silver King metal clarinet (one of my personal favorites).
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-12-29 18:40
The Leblanc LL series and also the L7 are big favorites with jazz clarinetists. They have that big, dark tone you're talking about. You can usually find a good used one around eBay or even on the classifieds of this bboard. I've used both in big band settings and have enjoyed them. The bore is slightly bigger than the R-13.
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