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 Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: I want the Legende 
Date:   2021-09-28 23:32

My current clarinet is a Buffet B12. I'm in my schools concert band and I've been thinking of upgrading to an E12F or a R13/RC or any of buffets professional models. Is it worth it to buy a intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: ruben 
Date:   2021-09-28 23:46

If I were you, I would buy a second-hand professional instrument in tip-top shape, that has been selected by a professional.

rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com


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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: SunnyDaze 
Date:   2021-09-29 00:09

If you can afford it and can look after it *really carefully* I think it's worth going straight to a good one. I did that and it was definitely worth it. I went to a Yamaha CX though after trying out several more expensive models so it's worth test playing a good range of instruments.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Robert N. 
Date:   2021-09-29 00:10

Since you mentioned the Legende, I would also point out that there are some first generation Tradition available at prices much lower than the second generation. I don't know exactly they compare, but it might be worth considering.

I have a first generation Tradition and I am quite happy with it.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-29 00:21

I 2nd ruben

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: nellsonic 
Date:   2021-09-29 04:16

Intermediate instruments are generally not a great value. You are paying significantly more for not that much added benefit. That doesn't mean that they are never the right choice, but a pro horn will retain value better and serve you well for many years. An intermediate instrument can feel limiting again within a year or two if you are making good progress in your studies. I would choose a good used pro horn over a new intermediate any day - usually the price will be very similar.

Anders

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-29 06:10

Options for the brand new pro horn which would not bankrupt you: Selmer SeleS Presence, Yamaha YCL-650



Post Edited (2021-09-29 06:15)

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Tom H 
Date:   2021-09-29 06:22

I like ruben's idea of a top 2nd hand pro model that's been tested. Or, a $5,000 new Buffet R13..... I have never recommended an intermediate instrument for any of the students I taught during my band teaching career. Especially today, when bottom line student models are IMO far superior to when I taught decades ago (and not much more expensive). I would have no trouble using my student model Selmer if my Buffet R13 conked out at a concert, and I'm 1st chair in a pro concert band.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-29 06:36

Other new pro alternatives: Ridenour's Lyrique Aurea or Libertas

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2021-09-29 08:33

And I hesitated to say it, but.......pretty much ANYTHING will be an improvement over a Buffet B12. The most out ot tune horn I've ever played. Get rid of it.





...............Paul Aviles



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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: SunnyDaze 
Date:   2021-09-29 10:23

When I was looking to upgrade I had recommendations to buy the Yamaha YCL-650 but I tried it and really didn't like the sound. I found that going up to the Custom CX was really a massive improvement. I would recommend that if the funds are available.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: LFabian 
Date:   2021-09-29 10:23

I agree with the others on getting a 2nd hand R-13 that was totally overhauled. The result was fantastic. but what I really had was a 42 year old clarinet. 3 years later I was ready to upgrade and I needed a new clarinet to decrease the wear and tear on my r-13 with 3 different bands. The new clarinet was not an R-13.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: EbClarinet 
Date:   2021-09-29 11:12

U should ask u self do u want 2 b a clarinetist and r u going 2 play 4 the rest of your life. If the answer is yes, then shell ou the $3Gs-$6Gs and get the R12 silver.

I was @ a point like this in college and I really didn't know the prices. All he other clarinet students could afford an R13 but I couldn't. My new R13 just made a year old in 5/21.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-29 21:47

This is a GR8 site to shop for the value-priced 2nd-hand horns: https://www.brassandwinds.com/collections/clarinets-basset-horns

I purchased from them the Selmer SeleS Presence A clarinet, and have never regretted it.



Post Edited (2021-09-29 21:50)

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: tucker 2017
Date:   2021-09-29 22:09

Don't limit yourself to Buffets.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: I want the Legende 
Date:   2021-09-29 23:20

Yeah. I heard about the yamaha 650 cl. And I tried one. It just didn't sound right tho, but when I tried the r13 it sounded perfect.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-30 00:10

And that's OK. Yet, you may still benefit from test-playing the Selmer SeleS Presence and Lyrique Libertas & AureA - could save you mucho dinero.

[Lyrique = improved Leblanc]



Post Edited (2021-09-30 00:11)

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Robert N. 
Date:   2021-09-30 00:39

I tried a Lyrique 576 and found it to be more resistant than some other clarinets such as an R13 or Yamaha. Other people surely have different opinions. I don't know about the Selmer Presence, Libertas or AureA. Different people have different prefernces as well, of course.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-30 00:46

Certo

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: m1964 
Date:   2021-09-30 00:49

I want the Legende wrote:

"I heard about the yamaha 650 cl. And I tried one. It just didn't sound right tho, but when I tried the r13 it sounded perfect".

A good R13 will not lose much value over the years.

However, there is one more clarinet I would try if I were you: Selmer 10/10S/10G.

There are pro clarinets from mostly 70th, the key are indestructible (made of very hard metal), and the wood is good.

You can find a very good one for less than $1K.

A R13 in good condition will be definitely much more money.

On local CL, there were many Yamahas and only one R13.
The Yamahas are still selling and the R13 is gone. Make your own conclusion.

CL is good because the prices are less than on eBay and you can see/test the instrument before buying.

P.S.
One more thing to consider is the "law of diminishing return"- a $3K clarinet most likely will not play three times better then a $1K one.



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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: SunnyDaze 
Date:   2021-09-30 01:16

I do think it's really worth meeting the clarinets and actually trying them though. I mean if the OP has found an R13 that he likes and he can afford it, then I think there is a lot to be said for buying it. A lot is to do with how the individual instrument fits with the players hands too, and only he can determine that by trying them.

Also, getting an instrument is as much like a relationship as it is like buying a work tool. I think if you really feel drawn to a particular instrument then it's much easier to commit to it for all the time that is going to be needed to make things work.

fwiw, I found that £2.5k clarinets did not sound better than £1.8k clarinets, even though I tried a lot of them. £1.8k clarinets seemed to sound *a lot* better than £1k clarinets. I think you have to meet them and try them, and preferably take along a friend who will be honest about whether they sound good.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: ruben 
Date:   2021-09-30 11:53

Farabout: Here in France, there are top-flight professional clarinetists that play the Selmer Seles, a moderately-priced instrument. -namely, the brilliant young Joë Christophe that has recently won the Munich competition.

rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com


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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: farabout 
Date:   2021-09-30 15:52

No wonder. SeleS is a great horn.

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Ed 
Date:   2021-09-30 16:54

Quote:

If I were you, I would buy a second-hand professional instrument in tip-top shape, that has been selected by a professional.


I completely agree with that. Many times you can find a great playing instrument at a fraction of the price of new

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: gwie 
Date:   2021-10-01 07:02

Intermediate clarinets have abysmal resale values. Go look at the price of the Buffet E-11 on that auction site...

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: BethGraham 
Date:   2021-10-01 16:48

Depending on where you're located, you might try the Backun Protege, too. I recently got one as an entry-level pro horn and really like it so far. (Plus I am a fiercely proud new Canadian and was very happy to support a Canadian company.)

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: Steven Ocone 
Date:   2021-10-01 17:25

I have to apologize because I offered incorrect information about Backun Musical Instruments. I thought that Eastman Musical Instruments was a Chinese company and it is not. I was repeating information perhaps incorrectly and without checking it out. Joel Jaffe of Backun will give the correct details.

Steve Ocone


Post Edited (2021-10-08 19:49)

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 Re: Should i get an intermediate clarinet or just buy a professional?
Author: BethGraham 
Date:   2021-10-09 01:09

I appreciate your updated post, Steve.

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