Well, I did it. I bought a Particola CL2 Virtuoso in Rosewood. Lucky for me it is on a trial basis. My chops are sort of back where I'll be able to tell if I love it or not and I'm sure I'll love it.
I went over to a major wind shop in Woodbridge where I bought my R13 a few months ago and tried all their new Clarinets. I wanted a base line to see how the Patricola is compared. I tried a Selmer, Buffet, and LaBlanc. I did not get a chance to try a Yamaha. They did not have any. Actually after trying all of them I found the R13 (2004) I bought from them is as good as the new ones.
If I like the Patricola I might sell the Buffet. I glad I also have the O'Brien Fossenkemper crystal mouthpiece. It will look so much better with that then the black ones I own. Now I will also get the O'Brien OB. Buying stuff is so nice
It's here but I can't play it for 24 hours. That's what Patricola recommends. I'll be playing it tomorrow for sure but here is a link to a picture of it in it's case
Great looking instrument, isn't it? I personally was never a fan of Rosewood Bbs or As, but I love their Rosewood Eefers! To each his own though. Let us know what you think of her when you get a chance to play!
It's wonderful. It's beautiful, It plays easier than my Buffet R13 and plus the sound is soooooo good. I went up to Dillion Music to get a new Ligature and to show off the Clarinet. Elaine from Dillion loved it as well.
Over the weekend I'm going to record with it. I'm going to pick an etude record it with the Buffet and then 2 recordings of the Patricola with the different barrels on it.
There is definatly a difference in sound with the barrels. Angelo Patricola also said, and it's in the instructions, to oil the Clarinet with Almound Oil once a month. And then when I told Elaine at Dillion she and the repair person suggested (they use Olive Oil) that I put Waxed paper on the pads before putting the oil in the horn. Makes sense to me.
It's funny that when I first picked it up this morning and played it, I knew immediatly that I love it. I only wish I had a mouthpiece the color of the Clarinet but the Crystal one works fine.
Remember, you are looking for a mouthpiece with the best tone, not the most asthetically pleasing features! If you are happy with the crystal, then more power to you!
I'm happy that you love the instrument! This is a classic case to let people know that different instruments work for different people! In my case, I liked my R-13 vintage over the rosewood Patricolas that I trialed. In your case, it was the other way around! A great example to teach people a lesson. TRY HORNS UNTIL YOU FIND ONE YOU LOVE. Congrats on your new instrument. She's certainly a looker .
OK, I recorded 3 versions of a few measures of a Rose Etude. They are of the Buffett and the Patricola. The Patricola has 2. One with B3.65 and the other with B2,66. It’s interesting that the B2.66 barrel has a ‘1’ super imposed upon the B2. I wonder why. I’m going to ask Patricola about that.
So here are the links. Please realize that until about 1 month or more ago I had not played the clarinet in 40 years so be kind to the playing. My embouchure is weak to say the least.
1 and 3 are the Patricola, and I would stick with the Barrel you used in 1. Your tone is much more centered. The tone tends to spread with the other barrel.
Well here is the scoop. Track 1 and Track 2 is the Patricola and track 3 is the Buffet. The Track 1 is the Patricola with the larger barrel which is supposed to be a darker sound which I believe it is. Track 2 is the Patricola with the shorter barrel. And Track 3 is the Buffet
I thank you for all your comments and, it helped me to decide that I want to keep the Patricola. It plays technically better than the Buffet and I believe with the longer barrel it sounds better which is very subjective.
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