 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: smk
Date: 2008-07-22 02:06
I am now in a position to buy a new B-flat clarinet to replace my non-Prestige Buffet R-13. I am not dissatisfied with my 1985 clarinet, which has had excellent maintenance. But I want to see if I can hear improved sound or other improvements by trying out some clarinets currently available.
This entail some trouble and delays, as I would order them from an internet retailer, probably one at a time, and then play-test them.
I am seeking advice on models to try. The obvious one, the Buffet Prestige R-13, is on my list, but what else should be? Which Selmer, or Leblanc, or other Buffet would you recommend I try? Can you characterize the differences between them and the Buffet R-13? Should Rossi be on the list?
I realize that I haven't said what I would be looking for, and that is on purpose. I would probably fail to describe it in words. But if those in the know would tell me what kind of contrast to expect when I compare, say, a Buffet Tosca with my own clarinet, that would be most helpful.
I play classical exclusively, as an active chamber player, and principal clarinet in a community orchestra.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LonDear
Date: 2008-07-22 02:40
There are so many great clarinet models out there now. Just give any brand/model a try as you can. I would offer my two cents on my favorites, but I do about half classical and half jazz.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2008-07-22 02:53
Trying and play testing one clarinet at a time is an inefficient way to select a new instrument.
Even with the same make and model there can be large variances in how the clarinet plays, responds and tunes.
After a month, will you really remember how clarinet #2 compares to clarinet #3?
I would save all the money you would spend on the potential future shipping and restocking costs and instead spend the money to travel to a large retailer with an adequate supply of clarinets to test.
Making side by side comparisons of clarinets you are interested in will let you see and hear the differences in them immediately.
...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-22 03:47
There are many places throughout this country that has large collections of clarinets. You really have to try several side by side. I took a student to a clarinet shop two years ago to try out Buffets and after we choose the best for him to try himself I tried some Selmer’s out of curiosity and fell in love with a Signature. After playing Buffets all my life I now play a Bb Selmer. You just have to try them, all makes and models are different, even within the same make and model. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 A little Mozart
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-07-22 14:38
First read Snavely's article on how to select an artist clarinet., in "The Clarinet". about 20 years ago.
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2008-07-23 03:14
You already have the best clarinet.
Don't waste your money and time looking for "better" horn.
You'll end up where you're now after spending 1,000's Dollars.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: feadog79
Date: 2008-07-23 17:33
Koo Young Chung said, "You already have the best clarinet."
The "best" clarinet is relative. Different people have different preferences. I used to play Buffet, now I play something else that satisfies me better. So, I would think that the instrument I play now would be the "best" clarinet for me. There are many instruments at least as good as an R13.
smk...if you're trying to just get a different "sound," maybe try a different mouthpiece/barrel combination first, especially if you're not completely dissatisfied with your current instrument. If it plays in tune and responds well, there isn't much reason to change instruments. What is it about your sound that you are trying to change? Will simply changing the clarinet (when you already play what you describe to be a perfectly good R13) really make a massive difference? Even a different mouthpiece will only change your tone to a certain extent; what you yourself are doing when you play is the main thing.
Joe W.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-24 14:26
Koo Young Chung said, "You already have the best clarinet."
I would not take this statement to serious because every make and model produces instruments that have problems, some with major problems, so how could Koo possibly know that you already have the best instrument. It could be a great clarinet, but not the best for you, or it can have intonation problems, tonal problems, evenness of scale problems etc. The bore could have changed or it could never have never been right to begin with. As I said in an above post, I never thought I’d play a Selmer Bb clarinet until I tried one, actually about half a dozen, then fell in love with the tone. Has Koo ever heard of buying a lemon? There is never such a thing as having the best; only the best for you, and you can’t know that unless you try others. Koo, have an opened mind, clarinets, mouthpieces, barrels, bells, ligatures, everything.
ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 a little Mozart
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
