Oh Gee! We seem to have lost the spirit of adventure. You don't like to do what other people are doing but other perple are buying Buffet Buffet Buffet and the brand names that advertising shoves down their necks. A clarinet player of 40 years international experience who plays teaches and repairs told me that Boosey & Hawkes, a UK company, were the original makers of Buffet, and he added, They moved to France and made a mess of it!! I'd buy a B&H before a Buffet. Or one of the small company hand made if I could afford it such as a Hanson. Don't get carried away by the pressure of advertising. Spread your wings.

I know what it is like to have expensive taste, lol
I really want a MOOSMANN 222A pro bassoon, which cost a s&!t load!

What's the point of doing what everybody else is doing? There no originality there. I don't want to blend in to the crowd, I want to stand out, to be different.

dickdona, perhaps you didn't read my very first post.

Also, when I do go to buy a clarinet, I'm thinking of not just trying Buffets, but other brands too. Anyone recommend any? My final choice will be on the sound of the clarinet, not price or brand name.

Go back and read it if you want too... I basically want to try every professional clarinet in the store, since some of the music shops only have about 15 different types. I'll keep your suggestion in mind =]

Yes, my musical friend. But the discussion has moved on a bit since your first post. 3 pages! So we are also having a bit of banter. It's allowed. Yes, try them all and best wishes. The one you like best is the one to buy. When I held the Noblet it just fitted perfectly under my fingers and sounded beautiful too. (I have to confess I went into the store to by a Buffet!! but came out with a Noblet.) But I had hours of fun trying everything in the shop and got a free breathing and fingering lesson too. That was extra value. Looking forward to hearing what you finally buy.

Just remembered "buffet" means a stand up lunch, in French.

Well, I won't be buying one for a while. But definitely in 2009 Ill have my professional clarinet =]

I wish the fox company would make some clarinets, I mean just look at their beautiful bassoons! Moosmann would be another great, besides the ever present leblanc and selmer, buffet crampon, and so on. My advice? If the instruments green, don't give it a second thought, lol! (as in DONT buy it, )

;o What about buffets "green line" zomg!

I have heard the green line is pretty good.
Very even throughout the range and good key work. I know two oboe players who play them and they are very happy with them.

I haven't personally seen any green line clarinets, but the comments on the oboes is that they are as good as the green line clarinets.

I haven't tried one before, but no need, I love my Loree.

greenline must have an interesting texture!
just don't buy any colored clarinets, lol

*barfs*


I hate all coloured instruments. I saw a pink flute with gold keys... DISGUSTING.

Just... horrible.

*barfs*

LMAO!

I too, am searching for a buffet R13 for college (i'm going to major in music therapy and currently have an intermediate clarinet). I have not tried one yet but have had them recommended to me by 3 professional players that I know. They said that once you buy one, you'll never want another instrument again. i suggest going to a local music store and asking them if you can try out their clarinets, some may let you. i went to my local music and arts store to look at an R13 (there prices were wayyy too expensive $3000 for the one they had but i just wanted to see one up close) and the guy was really nice and let me hold it (it was so beautiful that i just wanted to run out of the store with it) and said that next time i should bring back my mouthpiece and i can play it.

the difference between the E11 which is an intermediate and the R13 is the thickness of the bore/wood, the thickness of the bore can determine the tone of the instrument.

also, try looking into the yamaha customs, my soon to be college clarinet professor recommended them too. the cheapest one starts at $1800, and the highest one is around $6000. but from what I have heard,the r13 will always be a good quality professional instrument even though you can get some that are cheaper or more expensive. just try before you buy, and try many different one's of the same model as well, my professor said that each clarinet is made differently and will have a different tone even if the model is the same.

good luck on your search,
-ashley

Ashley, there's more difference between the E11 and R13. One major item is the toneholes. The R13 are integrated - bored out of the body. The E11s are inserted plastic toneholes. In general, tonally, the plastic toneholes provide a brighter sound.

Yamaha custom clarinets are a good alternative. I have a decription of the differences of them (yet to be posted - this weekend) on my website - ClarinetPerfection.com

But they have their "R13" copy, RC copy, and E11 copy, plus others.