 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Genevieve
Date: 2013-09-17 00:48
If you had to pick your favorite model of each of the four big brands of clarinets (Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha, LeBlanc), which would you choose for each brand? Then, if you had to pick your favorite clarinet model out of your top favorites, which one would it be? And what do you believe is the best of each model (it does not have to be your favorite)?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-09-17 03:38
There is no best. You play what works. I play thoroughly tweaked but plain-vanilla R13s.
If you can afford a Backun, by all means try one. But it's not magic. That, you must supply.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-09-17 13:15
The way to determine the best is to try about 20 of the same make and model for about two weeks, for all makes and models of interest. But this is not practical. If you can, do what some of the professionals do- go to the factory and try out all available, select one or two and bring them home. All makers produce artist quality horns, but a very small percent of the total output. Try before buy! (My best horn was a used Ridenour TR147, for which I paid $55.)
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-09-17 13:26
Buffet - RC
Leblanc - LL
Selmer - CT
Yamaha - haven't tried any Custom series clarinets to determine which model I like best.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BartHx
Date: 2013-09-17 23:18
I got hooked on Selmer a long time ago. I have had a chance to briefly play quite a number of other brands which I was repairing for friends, but hardly enough to make a real decision on which feels better. I tend to like large bore instruments and am willing to take the time to find a mouthpiece to match. Of my Selmer collection, my favorite is my Series 9 followed closely by my CT. I was concerned by what seemed to be high resistance with both of these until I finally found the right mouthpiece. They are now both very free blowing and responsive with great tone. I figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2013-09-18 14:59
Ditto what Ken said. FWIW, I play Buffet R13 A, Leblanc Concerto Bb, Buffet E11 C, Yamaha 681 Eb and a Buffet Prestige 1191-2 low C bass. They were all the "pick of the litter", so to speak, and play well for me (with all the "magic" I can muster).
Post Edited (2013-09-18 15:03)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pandamom
Date: 2013-09-18 20:17
Totally agree with Ken Shaw - couldn't have said it better myself. I play a Buffet R13, I have had it and played it since I was 15 years old and I love my clarinet. It was 'given' to me by my teacher at the time and she has since passed on and I think as crazy as it sounds, that sentimental attachment gives me 'my magic'.
William wrote:
There is no best. You play what works. I play thoroughly tweaked but plain-vanilla R13s.
If you can afford a Backun, by all means try one. But it's not magic. That, you must supply.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TJTG
Date: 2013-09-19 03:51
Would any of you say there is merit to buying "matched pairs" of A and Bb which are the same make and model, or at the very least, play very similarly?
I have an R13 A I really enjoy and an RC Prestige Bb. They're very different, but both very good. I've been itching to get enough money to buy a matched model set, so they feel more similar for when I play.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-09-19 22:50
A truly "matched pair" should exhibit consistent characteristics of response and intonation as well as physical feel across the Bb and A. Sadly many don't so if you can find two instruments of any different make or model that meet this criteria for you then you have created your own custom pair.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim lande
Date: 2013-09-23 03:10
Buffet: made two models of metal clarinet, I think. I am pretty sure the one with the separate barrel plays better than the one with the attached barrel. The latter wasn't an especially good instrument.
Noblet: Their boehm metal clarinets all said D Noblet, but there were many variations in how that logo appeared on the instrument. The earliest was the "raised diamond" model, which I believe was superior to later models.
Yamaha: No metal clarinets to my knowledge, so no opinions.
Selmer: Made the Bundy and the Master Model and sold The Raymond and the Alexandre, which were made by others. The Master Model was the pro model, the Bundy was the intermediate and the rest were student instruments. The Master Model initially came with a plain, non-adjustable barrel and later with an adjustable barrel. I don't have any experience with non-adjustable barrel. The master model was a fine instrument.
Favorites: Penzel Muller Clari-met, Conn 524N and Silva Bet (although later ones with the slimmer adjustable barrel were not as well made.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A consultant: someone who answers your question without doing you any good.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
