 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kkocman
Date: 2007-07-09 22:44
I have an E-11 currently. However, I am looking to upgrade to a professional model. I am only interested in Buffet Greenline instruments since I will be using this instrument both outdoors and indoors. I have done plenty of research, but I still do not know which instrument to choose. Should I get an R13, or the RC or RC Prestige? I am also looking at the Tosca, but that is a bit pricey. However, do you get what you pay for? Insight would be so helpful.
Thank you!
Kyle O'Connor
Rising 11th Grader
E-11 with M30 mouthpiece
[ Post retitled for clarity - GBK ]
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-09 23:31
Try them all out and you'll find the one you like best.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-07-10 00:04
Keep that in mind when you upgrade. are you going to go all the way as a professional? or is this going to be more of a side hobby. Since i see that your still in high school, purchasing a new clarinet will have trade offs financially that could have been gone to books, a car, etc. Do a lot of research before you make the jump. And there's no shame in buying used, as instruments are tools of the trade.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: kkocman
Date: 2007-07-10 00:38
I would like to pursue music as a career. As a sophomore, I was 4th in the district and finished 50th in the state (Virginia is VERY competitive). So this instrument will be a (hopefully) long, positive investment.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2007-07-10 01:05
High school? Wait a few years before plonking down too much cash. A Tosca should be out of the question unless you sound 10x better on it and have lots of cash lying around. The E11 is a perfectly fine horn for outdoor playing, where tone quality is much less discernible and damage is much more likely. If I was playing outdoors these days, there are some nice clarinets in the $400-500 range that I find quite acceptable. Play your E11 outdoors, your new horn indoors.
Lots of things change. You might end up not wanting to pursue music as a career when you get to college (for me, it was the opposite, adding the music major halfway through). At that point, will you be happy you spent $4000 rather than $2000 for marginal improvement?
As you're in the U.S. (random unsubstantiated sources tell me the RC is more popular in Europe), I'd say to get a regular R13. Try out as many as you can, pick one that sounds good. My Bb, A, and Eb are all R13s, and are all fine instruments of quite good quality compared to a bunch I tried at C-Fest.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2007-07-10 03:29
Well the board has some pretty rave reviews on the Ridenour Lyriques. Google Tom Ridenour and you'll see what I'm talking about. When I tried Buffet Clarinets, the only one that really caught my attention was a Festival. I loved the sound and intonation on it but I just didn't like the keywork all that much. Like said before, use your E11 outdoors and your new one indoors.
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Author: kkocman
Date: 2007-07-10 05:47
Many people have been suggesting that I use my E-11 as an outdoor instrument...will my instrument be able to withstand the conditions? Sometimes during August the temperatures are as high as 100+ degrees and then in November the drop to sometimes 40 or so. Won't the wood get damaged?
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Author: Klarinet
Date: 2007-07-10 06:16
An RC is a very good instrument (have one myself), but not something to have all your live as a professional musician. I'm in my first year at what we call the conservatory (to become a musician) and I think this Buffet RC is a very good instrument to play on.
In a few years, you can perhaps sell your clarinet again a go to an even more advanced one. I heard that Tosca is indeed worth his money. Many professionals use it. If you are really sure you want to buy this very pricy clarinet now and not in a few years, you should also look to the Selmer Signature. They have a really warm tone (at least the ones from Selmer Paris, don't know about the USA).
And if you worry about playing outside, keep your E11 for occasions outside. It's what I did (I have an E13), because as a professional clarinettist you should also be able to play nice on a less professional clarinet. So consider this; it's no crime to have two clarinets or buy another one in a few years.
Goele
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-07-10 17:22
Warm temps will not hurt the wood. It is mainly cold, dry days that can be troublesome. THat is what leads to damage, especially cracking. I would not play the wooden instrument outside in the cold, but my R13 has held up well since its manufacture in 1971, and I played outdoor somcerts in the summer all the time. My daughter is now using it and has no problems with it outdoors or inside.
Jeff(Edit for typo)
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2007-07-10 17:23)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-07-10 18:12
It has been mention here before but Ben Redwine says that his Orsi and Weir instrument is as good as the Tosca he tried and he got to choose and match upper and lower joints at Orsi and Weir's workshop in Canada. You can also choose between several woods for the barells and bells and they are still cheaper than the standard R-13.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2007-07-10 18:37
If you're worried about the E11 getting damaged outside, buy yourself an inexpensive plastic horn for that (I liked the $435 Rossi Andino I tried). Don't play an even MORE expensive horn outside. As you're in high school, I'm assuming some marching might be involved. Dropping and smashing are big concerns there. As are the usual outdoor paranoiae... rain, salty sea air, bird crap, rogue sprinklers, stray dogs, ants, mud puddles, water balloons, meteorites...
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Bubalooy
Date: 2007-07-10 20:56
Well my perspective is a little different I guess. I believe that you'll never regret buying a great clarinet. The step up idea just doesn't stand up economically. If you buy a "cheaper" horn then wind up buying a more expensive one later, you will pay even more for the expensive horn (inflation) and still have bought two clarinets when you could have bought the one you really want first. Still, I agree with the person who said you should get a cheap plastic clarinet for outdoor work, especially if it is marching, etc. I remember talking to a guy who played in a military band and said he never changed the reed on his marching clarinet in 10 years and half the time didn't play, just moved his fingers as he marched. The situation is different if people are actually hearing you, needless to say I guess.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-07-10 21:19
I wouldn't recommend playing the E11 outdoors in the cold. Even though it's an intermediate instrument, it is still wood, and can crack. If your school has a plastic loaner for the football season, that might be the way to go. Or rent or buy a plastic one for that, as long as it's kept in good playing condition and plays in tune, it should be fine. I wouldn't buy a more expensive greenline and play it for football band, because of all the hazards EEbaum mentioned.
As for the professional instrument, just go to a store with a big selection and start by trying all the R-13s in groups of three, picking the best of each 3. Then when you have found the best R13, try the next expensive model in the same fashion. Then compare the best R13 with the best of the next expensive model. You can do this with several models or brands. When you have found the best of each model/brand, then compare them and decide what you're willing to spend.
If you want to get the most out of your investment, make sure you go to the store with a trusted professional clarinetist/teacher. It can be overwhelming trying all those instruments by yourself.
I personally didn't care for the Toscas I tried. I also didn't care for a bunch of R13's I tried, although there were a couple of "almosts". I went for the Prestige. I did play with a lady recently who sounded absolutely gorgeous on her Toscas. And, Ben sounds lovely on his Orsi. So, as you see, it's a very personal choice.
Good luck.
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2007-07-11 21:41
Don't forget about the Buffet Festival. It is Buffet's hidden secret. Only certain suppliers can sell this model. It is a step up R-13. They use their premium wood on this clarinet. It also only comes in silver plate with tenon caps, an aux Eb/Ab cluster key and two barrels.
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