Hi all

I am new here, but have taken 3 ABRSM exams (3,5,6) in the past. I just made concert master in my high schools symphonic wind band, but since I am only in grade9 I have not yet upgraded to a wooden clarinet - something that I have overlooked for way too long. I have been looking around and have seen a second hand Boosey and Hawkes Emperor model, in very good condition and has just been overhauled. From a good instrument dealer it will cost me AUD$995. I have also seen an R13, second hand, fully overhauled for AUD$1500. I can only go as high as about AUD$1500 in prices though, but want the best possible instrument. Second hand or new, doesnt matter as long as it plays well.

Any suggestions? I live in Perth, Western Australia by the way.

Hey!
I'm in pretty much this position too. I play a buffet B12, but need to upgrade.
Newer instruments are more prone to cracks, but older clarinets aren't like violins - they don't get better as they age.
r13's are professional claris, but emperors are good intermediates. I'm hoping to get a pair of emperors!
If I were you, I'd probably get the R13 - it described as 'the legendary choice of professionals', but If you can play a variety of clarinets before buying, it would really help - you don't wanna buy something you aren't comforable with.
Just out of interest, what is grade 9? Here in england, we get to grade 8, then diplomas?

Let us know how you get on,
Jonathan

Me three. Mine is a buffet B12. I tried out a buffet E11 yesturday and to be completely honest, I couldn't tell the difference between that one and mine but people told me the tone was far nicer.

It's just so difficult to find instruments that are good and affordable as well. *sigh*

NM

I'd get a Buffet R13

In Australia I meant grade 9 as in grade 9 at school. Thanks for the replies. So a Buffet R13 used is better thann an Emperor used? It was my understanding that B+H were the pinnacle manufacturers prior to closing. I saw a pair of R13s on ebay - A and B-flat in near pristine condition but they wouldn't post interstate! They were $1200 AUD.

What are E-11s like? I personally don't want to get one but if funds are limited then I might have to. A new E-11 is the same price as an overhauled, good quality R-13 that is second hand. Do I get the R13, the emperor or the new E-11?

The reason I said R13 was because I know they are good and I don't know too much about Emperor's.

I have an E11 and it is fine. However it is my 3rd instrument and I only play it once a week, so there is no point in me having a better one.

I am presuming clarinet is your first study so I would go for an R13.

Until recently, B&H owned Buffet, so in that sense, perhaps they were. However I don't think people really thought 'B&H' when buying a Buffet.
The oldest clarinet maker is Leblanc (ready to be corrected on that!) and I think they make the best clarinets, though that's something that will be discussed for ever!



As far as I know, the E11 is just the wooden version of the B12 and is much cheaper than a R13. There is an absolute glut of used clarinets on the market (just look at Ebay) especially old wooden clarinets around the same level as the E11. In between, you have the E13.

My own feeling is that a used R13 will hold its value much more than a used E11. If you look after it, you may find you'll eventually sell it for what you paid.

The best used R13s are said to be those from 1965-75. I can't remember the reason though.

You might want to try the forum at www.woodwind.org

They know everything there!

Steve

I've got lots of different makes of Bb clarinets - Selmer, Buffet, Yamaha, Leblanc and Peter Eaton, and my favourite has to be my Leblanc Concerto, closely followed by my Leblanc LL. They're just SO nice to play! Incidentally, I bought both of those from eBay.

I bought an old Leblanc Normandy 10 and Noblet 45 from Ebay. The tone is just amazing. It's in the altissimo that I really notice it. A cheap plastic clarinet is just painful in this register. An old seasoned clarinet sounds so beautiful.

Buffets are very good, but give me a Leblanc any day!

Steve

Not always, there's a guy who plays a Blue Vito Dazzler(?) and played a transcription of the Albinoni Adagio in G minor for Clarinet and Piano, his part hit a top B flat and sounded rather nice Granted I can't really say since I'm not a clarinetist but hey.

IrisH - LoonY

Almost any clarinet can be improved by using the right combination of mouthpiece, barrel, reed and ligature. Not forgetting, of course, the player!

A good player will be able to 'bend' the notes to make them more sharp or flat as required.

I'm a modest guy. I can't do that.

I wish I could!

Steve