 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CD
Date: 2006-10-02 14:36
Hello,
My high school freshman daughter has been playing since 5th grade and has excelled (1st chair in jr. high, regional and now h.s.). She has been using a low grade Selmer and the HS band director has suggested that it is high time she upgrades - that she is now being limited by her current instrument (esp. speedwise). He suggested the Buffet E11 as a minimum, and perhaps a level higher. What other choices in the Buffet line would be good to consider? Other brands? Should we consider pro models? TIA
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2006-10-02 15:04
Sounds like your band director has given good advice; you ought to enlist the help of your (talented!) daughter's private teacher, too! In my experience the Buffet E11 is the best buy for the money as a step up clarinet -- and even as a lifetime insrument for someone who is not going to major in music! If you purchase one, see if you can get the dealer to substitute a longer (66mm) barrel for the one supplied with the instrument; it will not only improve the intonation, but often -- if you get the right one -- improves the tone quality, too.
Stepping up from the E11, I haven't seen enough difference between it and the E12 to justify the bump in price. The E13, I've been told, is an R13 factory "second". If you can afford it, a R13, RC or Festival are all fine instruments and should see your daughter all the way through college and beyond. Don't rule out a used "pro" level instrument either.
As you may have guessed, I'm a member of the Buffet "mafia". Although some very good players have been paid to play other marques, I still feel that Buffet is the best choice (among mass-produced instruments) for quality, value and resale. I also think they sound the best!
Larry Bocaner
National Symphony Orchestra (retired)
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Author: Imperial Zeppelin
Date: 2006-10-02 15:50
Yes, an E-11 with an R-13 barrel is an excellent step up. Unfortunately, IMHO it's probably a year or two too late. Your daughter's quick advancement is probably warranting a "professional" horn, not an intermediate one.
My daughter's "evolution" was Buffet plastic (don't know which model) to E-11 w/R-13 barrel in 7th grade to R-13 as a sophomore when she got into schools Honors Wind Ensemble to R-13 Prestige to go off to Conservatory with. Both the E-11 and R-13 came from International Music (RIP).
She is too an unabashed member of the "Buffet Mafia" (Larry - I'm still ROTFLMAO on that one).
That being said, while we were testing horns last spring for a "backup" we were NOT at all impressed by over a dozen or so R-13s we tried at WWBW. The only thing that came close to the "old" R-13 was a Yamaha CSG-H which was a really fine horn, head and shoulders over the other R-13s we tried and just a slight nuance below the old R-13. Unfortunately, D finagled trying a Prestige and it was the old, "Oh Daddy it followed me home! Can I keep it?" scenario. So the "backup Bb" idea and the cost savings that I had hoped for went out the window into a new "primary Bb" and a bigger debt...
With Yamaha prices lower than Buffets and some rebate scenarios out there, you may want to consider trying some of those out too. The CSG wouldn't be much more than an E-11 and is a better horn.
Whichever "Mafia Family" you may choose to swear a blood oath to, you should make sure that D's private instructor helps out picking the instrument. And since you're in NY, you can got to stores like Sam Ash and others to "test drive" different ones which is a critical part of the process.
BTW going from a student plastic to a wood pro horn will be an amazing jump in tone quality for you D. I'm sure she'll start giggling the instant she plays her first scale on any wooden pro horn. Watch it, it's an expensive giggle!!!
Post Edited (2006-10-02 15:53)
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Author: CD
Date: 2006-10-03 14:42
Thank you very much for the replies and insight.
Her director and private teacher are one in the same.
She is going to audition some E11's and R13's. My two concerns here are that she may 'outgrow' the E11 and the mention of being 'unimpressed' with an audition of a bunch of new R13s - especially given the price.
I will also see if it is possible to find some Yamaha CSGH's for her to try as well.
Also, does it make sense to seek out and try the E13 and C12 ? Availability on some of these models does not seem to be great.
Thanks again.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-10-03 17:09
CD --
In my opinion, a good used R13 or equivalent (such as the Yamaha line) would be the way to go for your daughter. Given what you have told us about her achievement to date, I simply would not bother with anything else. Check the classifieds on this board, or that "well-known auction site", or any of the many online retailers nationwide who carry used equipment. Many, if not most, sellers will allow trials and returns.
Susan
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