 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AnnM
Date: 2022-04-01 18:21
I reluctantly agreed to switch from B flat and bass in my clarinet choir to playing alto. To my surprise, I LOVE the alto. I’m currently playing on a borrowed LeBlanc and have been searching for a used one to buy. The LeBlanc fits my handspan well but I’ve heard that not all altos fit a smaller hand. I’ve found a used Buffet Professional alto but I won’t be able to try it out before I buy it. Any advice or information about a Buffet alto?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-04-01 18:58
The Buffet "PROFESSIONAL" models are great instruments. They are one of the few alto clarinets that come with both a left hand Ab/Eb and a fully automatic double register vent mechanism. The bore is much smaller that the Leblanc so they are not quite as free blowing, but I would say they are more focused and even overall. The stretch on mine is a bit more than a Leblanc, but not as bad as some altos.
-JDbassplayer
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-02 00:19
i have the noblet and its very good for the $. very near in quality to the leblanc at a lot less$.it also has a tuneable neck peice that the leblanc dosnt have
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Author: AnnM
Date: 2022-04-02 01:16
Thank you to both jdbass and superdan. That’s helpful.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2022-04-05 22:05
I have had the Buffet Prestige alto for 12 years and it's really quite a gorgeous instrument. They came with two neck joints when I bought mine but the new adjustable neck is much better and it's what I use all the time now. Sound and intonation are really good throughout all the octaves and people can't believe it's an alto. The tone is like a big Bb and not at all wheezy.
The one weakness on this instrument is the octave mechanism which is very sensitive to going out of adjustment. Luckily my local guy is a whiz with this. The problem is it gets stuck in the Bb mode when ascending to the C.
Kevin
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Author: Hugues Fardao
Date: 2022-04-05 22:16
I tested Leblanc and Buffet and I play the Selmer. Buffet is by far easier to play, Selmer is punchier, Leblanc is woody. But this is my own feeling...
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Author: r small
Date: 2022-04-06 00:26
I had a Buffet "Prestige" model (supposedly the top of the line) to try out for a couple days. I was less than impressed. It did not have an automatic double-register vent. I found the keywork to be not very ergonomic and the crook had such a slight curve to it that it might as well have straight, meaning that the reach for the right hand notes was extremely long and uncomfortable, even for my fairly long arms. Tone and response was mediocre, especially in the clarion, which would have been much improved with a true automatic double-register vent. I had this instrument, which was selling for over $10,00, rated at about a step-up student level horn. Ridiculously overpriced. Needless to say I sent it back the day after receiving it.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-06 01:52
i got to test play a buffet prestiege alto at a music store once and was blown away by it. far better than any other alto i have played. sadly it wasnt for sale . i would like to try a selmer someday . i own a mint condition noblet and its pretty good but not great. i also have malerne with hard rubber body and left hand eb key. its better than i expected. i bought it just for the left hand eb key. was a steal at 125$. i use it as a rehearsal horn and the noblet for concerts. then there is my bundy-well no need to discuss it. its a bundy
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2022-04-07 18:58
Yeah, my feelings exactly about the Prestige. In fact the dealer from whom I bought the horn play tested it and described it as "Buffet's finest hour". I'm sure there are a few clunkers out there but mine and one bought by a friend are really amazing horns. We had played both Selmer and LeBlanc horns previously and these are a BIG step up. Moreover, they blend beautifully in the clarinet choir as the alto sounds like a very deep Bb in tone.
Eefer guy
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Author: marcia
Date: 2022-04-07 19:49
I have played both Buffet and Leblanc altos. I found the Buffet to be very resistant requiring a lot of effort to blow. It did not have plateau keys (I don't know if all Buffets are like that) and it was very difficult to cover all the tone holes. Altogether an unsatisfactory experience. In contrast the Leblanc was very free blowing, and has plateau keys making fingering it similar to its smaller cousins.
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2022-04-08 21:58
Marcia, that might have been a vintage Buffet alto because the only alto they make today is the Prestige and it has plateau keys.
https://www.buffet-crampon.com/fr/instruments/clarinettes/alto-prestige/
I really wish I could get my hands on one but covid has gotten in the way of so much and It's been over 2 years since I've been able to get to Paris to check out their showroom.
While I can't compare the resistance, one thing I really noticed when I switched from my vintage LeBlanc to the new (2002) Selmer was that the 1-4R keys on the Selmer are a hard reach for me, like for an Eb/D# (4R) or an alt F# (3R), and obliges me to move my right hand up off the lower keys. I didn't have to do this with the LeBlanc and is destabilizing and slows me down, causing me to mess up. I love the sound of the Selmer and find it very pleasing and easy to play but I would really like to know how the Buffet compares for the right hand 'seating'.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2022-04-08 22:18
Yeah that's the problem trying to compare Buffets to any other brand. Selmer and Leblanc have not changed their alto clarinet design since the 40s. Meanwhile Buffet made dozens of different designs of alto clarinets over the 20th century. The "PROFESSIONAL" I mentioned is from the mid 50s to the mid 70s but Buffet also made the "Radio Model", RC Prestige and various intermediate models. Some had one register vent and some had 2. Some had low Eb on the body and some had low Eb on the bell. Some had a left hand Ab/Eb and some didn't. The ring key model hasn't been made since the 40s so "vintage" is certainly an understatement... The result of this is that some models are good and some models are terrible. I personally recommend the models marked "Professional" as they have played consistently well in my experience and I assume that is the model Ann is referring to. They also have plateau keys without exception.
Regarding the stretch, I will say that my 1972 Buffet "Professional" alto feels very comfortable. Any alto clarinet with ring keys is going to be a big stretch, so I would recommend avoiding them.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-12 17:18
i will agree with this. i hope to some day have a buffet prestriege as i will never forget how they play. i love the ergos on my 2 noblets but they dont knock me out to play as the buffet did
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-19 01:50
well its not a buffet prestiege but next best thing. i pull the trigger on a absolutely mint 1971 selmer model 22 . it plays as good as it looks with fresh white leather pads . flawless wood and no keywear whatsoever. knew i would never come across another like this and price wasnt as high as one would expect . its much lighter than my noblet and may not need a peg . time will tell . at least it has dual strap posts and i have a bg dual hook strap comming.came with a awesome selmer c* mpc that is my current fav alto mpc.
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2022-04-19 15:40
Congratulations ! Always wonderful when you find that special instrument, especially when the price is right. I love the way my Selmer (more recent, 2002 but they haven't changed much apparently) sounds and responds, easy to play and wonderful dynamics. I'm sure you will really enjoy playing yours.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-19 16:27
thanks-yes the way it responds is amazing. like playing a regular Bb clarinet more than a large horn.
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2022-05-02 05:14
I played a Noblet in the 8th grade. I didn't know this was the onset of me being a very fine clarinetist that plays all clarinets.
What's this topic going around in finer academia that the Eb Alto Clarinet is being phased out? I actually have a paper I DLed stating this. Do any of u know about this? Who's doing this the music editors or the publishing houses ($$$). It's lovely to the band and I use it in my orchestra pieces.
From a composer's POV, I mean the possibilities are limitless because of it's range (clarinet) and timbre. From college, I've learned that it's a "band" instrument. I hear it all the time in big movies, commercial TV/film scores an the likes.
Do any of them come with a low C attachment?
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-05-02 17:10
sadly it seems to be being phased out. i often cant find music for my part in community band. to me the alto still has a voice but its true the part is often covered by other parts. its still a lot of fun to play and you can get good quality horns dirt cheap now. i paid 350$ for a mint noblet and 230$ for another. schools are liquidating their long dormant altos .
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Author: Hugues Fardao
Date: 2022-05-02 21:53
Sorry for the self-promotion but... I have a free jazz EP, 30 minutes one take solo on Alto clarinet. I found Alto clarinet sound and range interesting, the voice is like a small Bass, and it's less bulky for me than a Bass clarinet wich I can't play.
https://huguesfardao.bandcamp.com/album/afterlight
And more "classic" jazz tune with bass and drums :
https://huguesfardao.bandcamp.com/track/toaster-fire-flyer
I often find more easy to improvise jazz things on my Alto than on my Bflat soprano.
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