Rachel, while many amateurs would support the notion that Buffet is the instrument of choice, the missing link is indeed quality control. The funny thing is that people think that Buffet clarinets were better back in the 50s-70s. Not true. They may have been slightly better, but no professional player would play an instrument right out of the box. Many of the great clarinetists had their instrument overhauled by a master technician, namely Hans Moennig. Even today, how many pros would use an instrument right out of the box? Probably no player. How many use the stock barrel? Few. I do not think that it matters so much which brand you play, as there are advantages to each intrument. I perform on a set of Prestige, but they have been tweeked. I really think that Selmer is heading in the right direction. Leblanc is not a bad instrument, but I believe it is a lacks a little resistance for me. If you stripped the logo off a clarinet, most of the clarinet population could not distinguish one brand from another anyway. Much less hear a significant difference in sound. Only by the keywork could most notice a difference anyway. To give LeBlanc credit, they set their instruments up well from the shop compared to Buffet. If you like something, tell why you like it. That goes for any discussion regarding equipment. Most of the US plays Buffet because their teacher(who probably is in a Bonade line somewhere) played it. But most amatuers do not know that that Buffet is altered.

I`m assuming she is just beginning...I highly recommend a Selmer or a Buffet! I have a SelmerCL200(a beginner clarinet) and it produces a nice sound and it is a very nice quality clarinet for a decent price. I also have a Buffet R13(which is my concert instument, the Selmer being my marching clarinet) and it is absolutely wonderful! The tone and mechanism is out of this world! Though I wouldn`t recommend and R13 for her if she is just beginning, I would consider buying one if she sticks with it for a few years and gets really good though. In general all Buffet clarinets are good so I would highly recommend one of the student models. They are wonderful too!

Actually, I am one of those who feel that the vintage buffets certainly are better than some of newer ones. Out of dozens of R13s I have played, the majority of the ones I have liked are within a certain serial number range.

As for brands, I agree that Buffet is not our only option. By all means, go with what works! On the subject of what famous players use, who cares? Have you noticed that different players have different setups? Ricardo Morales uses BG ligatures (and he gets endorsement money for it, by the way), but that doesn`t mean BG ligatures are the best. In truth, you could give him a Vito and he would still sound like Ricardo Morales, and probably better than any of us! Use what works for you, and spend less time fretting about what brand it is.