Looking for a clarinet

bcoulter

A little about me; I am 51 and wanting to pick up the clarinet again. I played in high school (first chair at one point) and for a while after but have not played for 25 years or so. I had a buffet, not sure the model (purchased 1974), which I foolishly sold many years ago. I am looking for a relatively inexpensive horn to start with to see if I can still play, that being said I want something that will not hold me back. I remember well switching from a Normandy horn to the Buffet, and the immediate improvement I experienced.
Any insight you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

I am looking at a vintage buffet, serial no.* H 26604. Can anyone provide any information about this horn? I've looked at several serial number lists on the web but can't figure out what this is.

Thanks,

Bill Coulter
Lima, Ohio
 
If you can define relatively inexpensive we can help you out a lot better.
You were probably playing on an R13.
The instrument you were looking at is an Evette 440, made in 1969, about on par with the Normandy.
R13's can be had for around $1500 or less.
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=124736&highlight=r13+clarinet There's a vintage one for under $1k fresh out of overhaul. If that's in your budget I'd jump on that one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Buffet-R13-Bb-S...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efb368b05
there's a newer one for $1200

Keep your eyes out, good deals are out there.
also may be worth checking these out
http://limaohio.craigslist.org/msg/1528088635.html
http://toledo.craigslist.org/msg/1495158765.html *if it's selmer paris
http://toledo.craigslist.org/msg/1492866929.html
 
> I am looking at a vintage buffet, serial no.* H 26604. Can anyone provide any information about this horn?
I tend to think that it's not an "H", but a "B" or a "K" -- and that'd make it an Evette-Schaeffer, not a Buffet. As always, pictures are always helpful and I have a guide as to what we generally like at http://www.woodwindforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1195 -- although Steve, this area's CE, might enjoy more photos, too.

> I am 51 and wanting to pick up the clarinet again. I played in high school (first chair at one point) and for a while after but have not played for 25 years or so.
We occasionally see folks that have similar backgrounds. It's not uncommon. Hey, I'd be in the same category if I took up playing again!

1. I recommend purchasing a USED, WARRANTIED, OVERHAULED student instrument, rather than a pro horn. The Yamaha-series of clarinets is exceptional and you can find many that will fit the qualifications I mention at http://www.musicremasters.com. If you HAVE to go new, Kesslermusic.com has a "Buffet Custom" clarinet (an E11) for $700 or so, which is a very good deal, particularly with the Backun barrel for a bit more. (If you HAVE to have pro, MusicRemasters.com has a few used, warrantied, overhauled pro horns, too.)

2. I recommend buying a good quality hard rubber mouthpiece, such as the Selmer C85 (like I use) or similar. Combine that with some decent reeds and a good ligature, and that's a thing of goodness.

3. I recommend getting some sort of lessons, even a few. That can help you get back into shape quickly.

You might also want to check out our "beginners" area at http://www.woodwindforum.com/forum/index.php#the-beginners-corner.1321
 
Unless you firmly believe only a wood clarinet is acceptable, it's hard to beat the Ridenour Lyrique 576BC pro. I picked up one in mint condition last year on ebay for $600 and it's everything I hoped for. Tom Ridenour designed clarinets for Leblanc, including the Concerto and Opus. These are his hard rubber professional models. You can learn more about them at http://ridenourclarinetproducts.com
 
I'll second Kessler's (in Las Vegas, but they talk on the phone and are terrific retailers). Price of course is a concern. DAVE
 
retread said:
Unless you firmly believe only a wood clarinet is acceptable, it's hard to beat the Ridenour Lyrique 576BC pro. I picked up one in mint condition last year on ebay for $600 and it's everything I hoped for. Tom Ridenour designed clarinets for Leblanc, including the Concerto and Opus. These are his hard rubber professional models. You can learn more about them at http://ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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List price is $960. I think that may be overpriced for a hard rubber clarinet and, while I've heard of Ridenour, even though I haven't played mainly clarinet in years, it's not a "brand name".

Personally, I've owned several plastic clarinets that were very good and a metal one that had a nice tone, so I know that the sound of the clarinet is more the bore than the material its made out of -- to a great extent -- and what mouthpiece you're using. I also know that some hard rubber clarinets are fairly well sought after. It's just that ... the Ridenour horns aren't a well known quantity. Yet.

bcoulter, if you want to try one, go for it. I'd recommend, considering you haven't played in awhile, that you have a clarinet player you know try it for you -- and see how much difference there is between it and the E11. Again, if you want new.
 
Thanks for the great replies everyone, I really appreciate it. Right now I only have a couple hundred bucks to spend. From what I'm finding out I probably need to save up for a while so I can get a better horn.

I've been away from the clarinet these many years so a few more months certainly wont hurt.
 
bcoulter said:
Thanks for the great replies everyone, I really appreciate it. Right now I only have a couple hundred bucks to spend.
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Well, a Yamaha YCL-20 or Buffet B12 from MusicRemasters.com is $244. Those are decent student horns -- just get a good mouthpiece and you're set.
 
I picked up a vintage Noblet clarinet, serial no.88241 for cheap on Ebay ($125). From my internet research I believe it's a model 40 and with some work should be a good playing instrument. It will at least let me get back into playing for a year or two until I determine I'm ready for a pro level horn. As soon as it arrives I plan on looking for a tech to repad and clean it up a bit.
 
I got the horn today, it actually is in much better shape than I expected for $125! :-D It definetly needs a re-pad though.
 
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