 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: anneh
Date: 2007-01-20 17:21
Hi Everyone--I hope to clear up some confusion that has existed regarding visiting and selecting a clarinet at the Buffet factory in Mantes La Ville.
I have been on a quest to buy a new clarinet this year. I will be returning to Paris next month and have scheduled a visit to the Buffet factory through the retail store Musique et Art. Here's what I have learned so far--
I scheduled the visit via email to Musique et Art. They scheduled an appointment for me at Buffet on February 20. They asked specifically which models I wished to try.
After I select the instrument, I will pay for it at Musique et Art and Buffet will send them the instrument.
I cajoled my best friend and fellow clarinettist to join me on the trip so I have a objective ear with me--it's going to be great fun!
Musique et Art will then mail me the clarinet.
I will keep you all updated on my experiences.
Anne
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Author: anneh
Date: 2008-06-10 03:39
Dear Clarinet BBoard--
I realized, with great embarrassment, that I never updated the forum about my trip to the Buffet factory to buy a clarinet last year!
In December of 2006 I contacted Buffet through their website about my plan to visit in February of 2007. They gave me a list of retail stores in Paris to contact.
Through a series of emails with the store Musique et Art acting as the go between I set up an appointment. The way the process works is that the instrument is purchased through a retail store but you can visit the factory to choose your instrument.
My friend Gail and I took the train from Paris (I think it was the St. Lazare station) to Mantes La Ville, about a 45 minute trip. We received instructions on how to do this from an employee at Musique et Art. By the way, I do not speak French in the slightest and was easily able to buy the ticket and make the trip.
Upon arrival, we left the train station and began to look for the factory--we had been told that Buffet was right next to the station. We stopped for a quick "petit dejeuner" at a bistrot right next to the station and began our search. We walked around the block, scratching our heads--there didn't seem to be any numbers on the buildings. For a moment we paused and reviewed the information. My friend then looked at the wall next to us where there was a GIANT (12 feet at least) picture of a clarinet and the Buffet logo! As Homer would say, "D'OH".
We went around the corner into the factory and checked in at the reception desk. I was SO pleased to see my name on the computer screen next to her desk--in a large font, "WELCOME MADAME HENDRICKSON".
We were led in to a room where there were about 20 clarinets--I had decided in advance that I wanted an RC Prestige. For some reason there were no Toscas available, which I did want to try, but it didn't bother me--I was glad to not be further confused!
They gave me Evian water to soak my reeds in and left us alone to try the instruments out. We had brought a tuner, so I played while my friend evaluated the pitch, unseen by me.
We wrote down notes on each instrument, and narrowed the field. I would say the whole process took about 2 hours. Finally I chose a winner--honestly, I could have chosen the final instrument on the first pass--it had a "ping" to the tone that both my friend and I noticed each time I played it. However, I wanted to be sure, so we did a diligent examination of each one, trying with different reeds and two different mouthpieces (a Fobes San Francisco and a Vandoren 5RVLyre). There were no "dogs" in the group, but we noticed a definite difference from instrument to instrument.
After I made my selection, we met with a technician, who gave me a choice of cases--a pouchette or a larger square one with combination locks. I chose the combo lock one, but would later regret my choice! Not long after getting home, one of the latches became stuck (I never set the combo) and I had to pry it open. I have since bought a smaller Protec case.
The technician gave me some tips on care (no need to oil the bore, make sure to give it a long break in period and swab thoroughly each time) and told me to be sure to always line up the Buffet logos on the clarinet--they spend time at the factory finding the sweet spot on the barrels and bells and mark the logo accordingly.
He also gave me a supply of the small plastic pins (I think he called them "pitons") for the long left hand keys on the bottom joint--there is a thread somewhere on the board about problems with these items breaking or wearing out, so I made sure to stock up while I was there. He was very friendly and nice--I think he could tell how excited we were to be in the "mother ship". A completely pleasant experience!
They let me leave with the clarinet (oh joy!). We then took the train back to Paris and then went to Musique et Art to complete the sale, get my VAT papers etc. Adoption complete!
Later on in the trip I went to the Vandoren store in Paris and stocked up on reeds and bought a new mouthpiece, a B40, to complete my orgy of buying all things clarinet.
Regarding the cost: I made up my mind in advance that I would not worry about the price--in the end the clarinet cost a bit over $3800 US. To me this was a once in a lifetime adventure--I wasn't looking to save money on this purchase, I wanted the experience of choosing my instrument in France and knew I would be paying dearly for it. Besides, being a music teacher and musician I am able to claim this purchase on my income taxes AND get frequent flyer miles on my credit card, so there is a bright spot financially.
I had no problem taking the clarinet back into the US--for reasons which would bore you I had to take a wheelchair through customs--because I had then three carry ons (couldn't fit the giant combo lock case in my carry on) I sat on the clarinet in the wheelchair and was whisked right through security.
I have had many, many wonderful performances on my wonderful new clarinet since February 07. No cracks, still has that beautiful pinging sound, all of my friends are so jealous!
Now my friend Gail wants to go choose a clarinet, so we will be making a second trek to Mantes la Ville this July! I will, though, talk her into getting the pouchette case instead of the combo lock one!
Sorry it took me so long to update! If anyone has any questions about the process of visiting the Buffet factory, let me know!
Anne
Anne
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-10 17:41
Well Anne, I for one must tell you that I am so relieved that you updated us on your past trip. I haven't been able to sleep a wink since I first heard of your conquest.
You said, "to complete my orgy", hey there are kids reading these, let's keep it clean. Take care, ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 (listen to a little Mozart)
(I hope you take this in the manner it is intended)
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-10 20:01
anneh,
You are so lucky!!! I would kill to have that opportuninty. I've always wanted to hand pick my own clarinet from a huge selection. I plan on traveling to france later in my life, so I will definatly plan on visiting Buffet and buying a new clarinet, hopefully a Festival, or Prestige. Who knows I may wait till I can afford a Tosca. I just need to start saving my pennies so to speak.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-06-10 20:31
I doubt that my entire closet full of "eBay special" clarinets and saxes combined cost as much as that one Buffet clarinet --- but I'm happy for its new owner.
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-06-10 20:53
anneh wrote:
>and told me to be sure to always line up the Buffet logos on the clarinet--they spend time >at the factory finding the sweet spot on the barrels and bells and mark the logo >accordingly.
That is very interesting. Does anyone know how much difference this actually makes, or is it mostly placebo?
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2008-06-10 20:56
Anneh,
You planned this trip carefully, took along a close friend, plotted the course in Paris to the train station, negotiated buying the ticket to Mantes, got off the train at Mantes, all with the singular purpose of going to the Buffet factory to select a clarinet and all without knowledge of French. How, Anneh, how, pray tell, could you, with this dedicated purpose utmost in your mind, even think...think (OK, pense) about eating un petit dejeuner BEFORE heading straightaway to Buffet, Crampon et Cie?!!!
Congratulations and Best wishes,
Joseph Brenner Jr
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Author: Wes
Date: 2008-06-10 21:28
Hi Mr. Sampson!
Yes, the sweet spot can be easily found on any clarinet. I always do that and mark the point with black fingernail polish. On new Buffets, the sweet spot is always with the logos on the top side. Good Wishes,
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-06-11 03:50
So where are the 'sweet spots' on a bass clarinet, and how do we rotate our bells and necks to find them?
![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
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Author: anneh
Date: 2008-06-11 04:13
Well, you caught me! I can say "breakfast" in French. Oh, the shame!
Anne
Anne
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