 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-08-11 19:44
Giving a (young) beginner a quality, all-wood clarinet is akin to loosing a five year old in a gun shop.
Of course, there is much discussion of late about the quality of the E11.
Jeff
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-08-11 22:30
I can't speak to the current quality. But I started on an E11 in 1997. I got an R13 in 9th grade, roughly 1999. The E11 served me well as a beginner. I still have it and have used it as a backup. I played the E11 as Principal clarinet in the McGill wind symphony. The only problem I had was the short barrel! It still has a great sound that I expect from a wood Buffet clarinet.
I haven't tested the new E11's, or comporable entry level wood instruments. However, the E11 served me well, and I am hesitant to sell it (even though it has been overhauled with cork pads and "the works").
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-08-11 22:46
>>>>That's the exact wording of a Buffet Clarinet Ad from 1986.
Buffet thought it was like a kid in a gun shop, too? ![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif) ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
Just kiddin' !!!
Jeff
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2009-08-11 23:35
I almost posted this in the other topic on the E11 a couple days ago.
I have owned an E11 since middle school. I still own this instrument, keep it maintained, and I would say that, take away my abilities which may leave something to be desired, I find that it is comparable in sound to many an R13 out there.
In point of fact, I was out at WWBW last week and tried 6 or 7 R13s to replace this instrument. Bearing in mind that these were factory new and not "tuned up," I could not find one with any better response, sound, etc. than my E11. This isn't the first time I've looked around. In some instances even, the response was horrible, particularly on the greenline model I tried.
I have tried some of my old teachers' instruments and they are well tuned by good techs and I can indeed tell a positive difference, but not one that would induce me to spend $3000 on a new instrument. Maybe a grand...
But the sound just hasn't been that much better. Tony Valenti told me that this instrument is on the better end of E11s but there are just intrinsic deficiencies built into the E11 compared to the R13 purely based on design.
What this experience begs is the question of whether the quality of Buffet's R13s is diminishing....I won't even touch that question with a 10 ft pole for fear of reprisal from the masses.
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-08-12 14:28
My E11 is a piece of garbage, so I agree wholeheartedly.
Me beloved Master Model is getting a major overhaul at this moment, and I am awaiting its return with bated breath.
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-08-12 14:48
A naive question from a beginner - why is it more difficult for a starter to play a wooden instrument rather than a plastic/rubber one?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-08-12 15:49
Maruja, I don't believe there is inherently any difference in ease of playing. Plastic is usually used for beginners because
1. Its cheaper (they may not take to playing it for long)
2. Its lighter (important for very young learners)
3.Its easier to look after (not going to crack - unless dropped)
etc....
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