 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ashley91489
Date: 2008-06-24 02:04
R-13's seem to be the renowned favorites of pros and clarinet enthusiasts alike. They are what I always hear mentioned, not the other professional Buffet models.
I too play an R-13 and love it but what I'd like to know is, what makes the R-13 *the* clarinet for most, the one above the other Buffet pros?
I'm sure it is definitely a personal preference but in general, the R-13 is hailed as the best. Why so over the rest?d
Post Edited (2008-06-24 02:04)
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-24 02:16
Well, it's because it's a great sounding clarinet with a great price. It stays consistent, and it's worth your buck.
The reason why it's so popular is because, well, it's so popular. The R13 is doted upon so much by professionals that many who want to buy a professional clarinet choose the R13.
There are better models (i.e Tosca, and some Leblanc clarinets) but like you said, it's personal preference.
The clarinet of my choice is the Vintage R13.
Post Edited (2008-06-24 02:17)
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-24 02:29
It's quality to price ratio is great. Actually most pros I know of use the other pro models anywhere from the RC to the Tosca, but there are those who just love their R13.
It's comforting to know that great players use the same instrument us hopefuls do. But then again, it's not the instrument, it's the player.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-06-24 03:51
In my opinion the best of the R13s have a very focused, mellow sound that projects in a hall much more than any other clarinet. They play just as focused and warm at the lowest possible volumes as they do at a full tilt.
Now many fans would also say that their best days are in the past. Still, back in the day, you would have to sift through a bunch of them to find the real pearls. Today there are many competing brands that offer much more constancy and can compete very well with the R13s of Marcellus and Wright.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-06-24 04:46
Historically, I don't know, but can only guess that it used to be the best available and then became tradition. Maybe someone else will know.
But in some countries (for example France and Italy) the RC model is actually much more popular and from what I understand it is not common to find R13. I'm not sure why that happened either.
In my country the R13 is the most popular. Today the reason many here play R13 is that this model is almost always available to try (usually there are even a few to try) while most other models are not available or only very few (most models are special order I think).
Post Edited (2008-06-24 06:55)
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Author: giuliano
Date: 2008-06-24 06:43
Among the players I know the RC is the most popular. But in the part of Italy where I live you're unlikely to find other models to try, let alone other brands. If you want a Selmer you have to order one, and then you're committed to buy it (not that you can't return it if it doesn't fit you, but you know what I mean), if you want a Tosca you may find one to try, ot maybe not (and you'll find a Bb, the A is special order, and so are the eefers). The R13 may not be available. Nobody carries large stocks.
There are a few very good clarinet makers in Italy, but if you want to try their instruments, you have to travel.
R13 or RC, I'm with Alfred: "The reason why it's so popular is because, well, it's so popular." They are great instruments, but trying alternatives here is not easy and there's too much bias towards them.
I used to play an RC, but eventually traveled to the Patricola factory... (this is not to say Patricola clarinets are better than Buffets, I mean they are in the same category and MAY be the right choice for someone, as can be any other brand).
Sorry to be partially OT.
Giuliano Forghieri
Nubilaria Clarinet Ensemble, arranger, clarinet, Eb clarinet
Accademia Musica Insieme, founder, arranger, clarinet
www.musicengraving.it
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-06-24 08:02
R13 has become the standard by which all else is measured. Which means: when you go shopping for a high-grade clarinet, try an R13, and try something else at the same time. Then make up your mind.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-06-25 01:37
I think the price of Buffet are too high. When you can get R-13 which is in same similar quality as Selmer Arthea and Oddesey,Leblanc concerto and such for the same price as Selmer Signature and OpusII. I don't think Buffet are worth so much and I only bought my Buffet because the one I got was on special offer and much cheaper than the other professional clarinets that I tried and equaly as good as some of them. On the other hand I heard that a repairman working for Mayatt in UK that has been working on clarinets for 40 years has only seen 4 Buffet clarinets that were cracked all the way through the top piece that had to be replaced but he had seen countless of Selmer clarinets that were cracked all the way through the top piece.
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2008-06-25 02:09
Today was a joyous day for me - I bought a new Vintage Buffet. It is so wonderful to play, so light, I cannot say enough good about it. It has a five year warranty also and if I am very careful about breaking it in - playing just a few moments per day such as 15 minutes - there will be no problems with cracks. Even so, the warranty would cover. I love it!!!
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-06-25 09:29
Maybe it's all because the R13 was the first to mess around with the upper joint bore. I forget the name of the guy who first put an oversized reamer down the top of the upper joint and discovered the polycylindrical bore. But now my own instruments (not Buffet) have an obviously (0.5mm or more) reverse-conical upper joint and barrel, and double-conical barrels are becoming common.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-06-25 14:07
The first clarinet (1950s) to combine (then-)superior tuning via small bore with mellow tones (via undercutting and bore perturbation).
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2008-06-25 18:54
The main reason that Buffet (R13) is the U.S. standard is because of Bonade. In his day, there was really no one that had the reputation as a performer or as a teacher like he did. He played Buffets, and basically MADE his students play Buffets. Bonade had many students, and therefore, a lot of people were playing Buffets. It also helped that Marcellus (A Bonade Student) played Buffets.
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