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Re: Buffet and LeBlanc Barrels on a Yamaha CS

Author: denner22
Date: 2007-07-22 10:56

I have used nearly all the top models of Yamaha over the last 20 years or so.
The 85 and the 82 customs were Yamaha's first attempts at improving on the Buffet R13 design. They were nice instruments, maybe lacking a little in projection. The 82-2 started to work on the projection issue. I believe that Yamaha started to use better quality wood for these instruments.
The model 72 is one that was marketed nearly exclusively in the USA. It is a very fine instrument with good tuning (smaller bore?). I enjoyed this instrument greatly - particularly in the high register.
Eventually I bought several CS clarinets. they have a much larger sound quality than the older custom models. I would compare them (favourably) to Buffet R13 Prestige instruments.
Yamaha have always made a really fine A clarinet - without the stuffiness that I find in the Buffet R13 model. The Yamaha 650 is really Yamaha's version of an R13 currently.

Currently I mostly use a Yamaha SEV Bflat clarinet. It does have a slightly smaller sound than the CS model, but as I do not play in a large orchestra any longer, I find I do not require that sense of projection any longer. I enjoy the tuning and response of this instrument - particularly the fact that the low E and F are not too flat!

I would compare the Yamaha SEV to the Buffet RC Prestige instrument a little more. It has encouraged a slightly warmer sound than the CS model and with the cut out in the bell has similar tuning characteristics except in the higher register where I find I do not have to fight the tuning as I do on the Buffet instruments.

Cheers

David