 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2020-12-23 19:19
Hi,
I am a very average orchestral player and I have been looking to change my old Buffet E13's for quite a while.
I have tried new R13's and Yamaha's but came away from the dealer thinking that I wasn't gaining much, I then tried a pair of RC clarinets and rather liked them, I didn't buy them because one of the pair wasn't in great condition for the price.
Recently I have found another pair, they are not an official pair, one of them dates from 1990(Bb) the other from 1993. The seller doesn't know if they are nickel or silver plated but thinks the Bb is silver. I can't test them easily without doing a sale or return which he is being difficult about.
My question is, are these instruments from a good period in clarinet manufacture or should I avoid them?
Thanks,
Mark
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2020-12-23 20:15
Well, as you know eBay can be hit or miss; if you’re talking about that pair for 1,8k pounds sterling - I think it’s a good price and they’re fine looking horns.
90s are neither a good nor bad period, it depends on the particular instrument. Have a look at the bore, are the keys worn? Generally Buffets are long lasting horns and I really enjoy working on older ones, as there’s hardly any bigger issues that can’t be solved. But the pair you’re probably refering to will most definitely need a service.
Recently, a friend brought me an European (=442hz) R13 made in 1972 that was in pristine condition, he got it for just 700€. Not a bit worse than my own RC!
However, there are some really good E13s out there. If you’re happy with yours and don’t want to risk anything, just buy an E13 in A from Dawkes. You can send it back too.
Also, have you already tried a different barrel? They can be a huge improvement especially on cheaper Buffets, which tend to have crappy ones at times. Barrels from Schwenk&Seggelke have proven to be mind-blowingly good, when I tested that R13 with one, my friend thought it was a different instrument! The „Zoom“ barrels are also fantastic and could be used on both b and a clarinet, so changing the instrument is a breeze. The one for the RC would be the best fit.
Best regards
Christian
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2020-12-23 20:16
The only examples of "official pairs" from a manufacturer I have seen are from Leblanc where A and Bb clarinets have had the same serial numbers. The so called "matched pairs" probably come from some player hand-picking a pair at the factory or some seller just calling two clarinets "matched" to raise the price. The A and Bb will always feel and behave differently.
Whether there exists a "golden era" of clarinet making (or grenadilla wood quality) is a question that has been debated.
I think your strategy to test clarinets thoroughly and see if they add anything is sound.
You can also buy the pair and sell them if you don't like them. Not the end of the world.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2020-12-24 01:49
Johan H Nilsson wrote:
>
> I think your strategy to test clarinets thoroughly and see if
> they add anything is sound.
>
> You can also buy the pair and sell them if you don't like them.
> Not the end of the world.
A few years ago, I was going to Europe for vacation. Prior to the trip, I got in touch with a known clarinet soloist who had a Buffet RC Prestige for sale.
I took my R13 (which was an 'average' instrument ) with me to compare with the Prestige.
Well, that RC Prestige was probably "blown out" because it dis not sound good at all. Also, the silver plating was worn on all keys- the guy really played it a lot.
Buying untested, you can get a really good or really bad instrument, most likely an average one.
If you are willing to take the risk and it does not work for you, you can always resell it, like the poster above said.
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2020-12-24 20:01
You ask if 1990-93 was a good period of Buffet manufacture. Here are some things to bear in mind:
* Buffet introduced the Prestige series in the early 1980s, so after that the non-Prestige models would get lower quality wood and less exacting hand finishing than previously. I would assume that the quality gap grew with time: early on, they probably didn't sell so many Prestige models and the non-prestige standard would have stayed high. I don't know anywhere that you can get details of the fraction of Prestige vs non-Prestige instruments with time. But it's likely that a 1990 RC will tend to be less good than one from 1980 or before - although better than one from 2000 or after.
* But even leaving aside Prestige vs non-Prestige, wood quality declines with time as blackwood is an endangered species. So probably even an ordinary 1990 RC used wood that is better than the top-end models get today. My local dealer has told me tales of many Toscas that he sold needing joints replaced after cracking. I would be very reluctant to buy a new Buffet now.
* Another advantage of the early-90s vintage is that it was prior to two regrettable design changes from 1998: teflon pins in the LH long levers and the adjustable thumb rest. The pins are notorious for breaking, and the thumbrest design is appalling, with a screw that keeps coming undone.
* So a 1990 instrument stands a chance of being pretty good, and worth the risk of buying at eBay prices. It may be fantastic - or not. I currently play a 1979 RC, which has a sound and response in a different league from any recent Buffet I've tried. But the keywork is a bit worn. Recently I got the chance to replace it with a 1978 RC in an almost as-new state. I thought this was bound to be the perfect instrument - but it was hopeless, with not a hint of the fantastic response of the 1979 instrument. Good luck!
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