I'm thinking about getting a new clarinet. I play on a Buffet R13, but I am looking at the Buffet RC Prestige, Festival, and Vintage.

If anyone has any experience with these, please give me your feedback. Thanks.

I play on a Buffet RC. I've had it for 4 years now, and it's really nice to play on. I know it's not one of those you asked about, but it's still one of the best models Buffet makes. My ex clarinet teacher (who was a professional) played on the same model and he liked it to. I don't know how much more the prestige or festival cost, but I can recommend for you to try the regular RC model as well.

I have an Prestige E-flat clarinet, and that is quite good as well. But go find out yourself. It all depends on if they got a wide selection of each model in the store

do not get a yahmah
a whole bunch of kids at my school have yahmahs and they are all starting to go EXTREMLY flat for no reason
my band director called the yahmaah company and asked what was going on... and they didnt know what ws going on
my band director thinks it has something to do w/ the barrel
as for what clarinet you get, it really doesnt matter just dont get a yahmah or a first act
emily

Go for the yamaha...Buffets sound absolutely terrible!!! Like, worse than terrible...they truly besmirch the name of clarinet.

Honestly I like Vito clarinets. That's the kind I have, it's easy to play on, especially for beginners. And it's easy to afford. I know it is only a beginner clarinet, but who cares if you like it? I'm not too fond of LeBlancs, but they're nice too.

I had a Vito for about 2months (house burnt down - with it inside). It was loveable. Better than a Yammy, but Yammys are cheap with decent quality.

Never buy a clarinet (or other instrument) without trying it out. All instruments vary slightly, or more. NEVER BUY IT OFF THE 'NET!

.. another wonderfully random post by Nudelkopf..

With clarinets, it's all about getting the one that suits you, not the one that everyone else says is the best! You need to get trying out a few, and don't expect to find your perfect one the first time....it took me a while. If you do indeed like Buffets, then the RC is worth trying, I must admit that it was one of my final two contenders before I chose my beautiful Yamaha custom...but for me there are so many things you need to take into account: tone, what music you are more likely to be playing, fingering etc... for example, for me the Leblancs have a great rich tone, but the keywork is just far too close...just make sure you get the right one for you! And don't forget what a huge difference mouthpieces and ligatures make too! Good luck . ;-)

NO offense Dennis...whoever you are...but every time I read your posts I always go - - "Oh yeah..." afterwards. Its like your a Clarinet Word of Wisdom God or something, but jeez, your really helpful sometimes!

lol so thanks

<Added>

To the subject tho....I absolutely adore this brand called Cibaili, only manufactured through Australia. Their absolutely beautiful.

Offense? HAHHA! You could call me lots of choice 4-letter words and I would not take offense to any of it! That's just how I roll. No problem. I hope that I can help people here. I have been playing a long time, and eventhough I'm not a professional, I have almost "been there-done that" to everything in the past 17ish years. I hope I haven't offended you or anything!

-Dennis

I just looked up the Cibaili Clarinets. I remember seeing those all over ebay. I have to say they are gorgeous looking, but definitely nowhere near professional. I like awesome colors like that. I wonder if I can strip the outside of the wood for making a clarinet, and then stain it with a vivid color like that. Then seal it, and still have a pro horn? hmmm....

-Dennis

Wow Dennis. I thought about that yesterday as well I have seen those handpainted soprano saxophones:

http://www.saxophones.co.uk/handpaintedsaxes.htm

It would be so funny to get an airbrush painter to do something like that on a clarinet (I wouldn't use my RC though :D)

But I guess you have to be sure not to get any paint in the holes. That wouldn't be good

I would use a cheaper wood clarinet out from ebay first. Also, after you do the staining or painting, you then go back through with a tone hole tool to scrape away everything in the hole and on the hole.

-Dennis

Hey Ida are those saxophones you gave the link for actually playable? Or just show?

[/end hijacking of thread]

while doing the painting you could always plug all the holes with cotton wool or something to the same effect?

just a suggestion...

Well I'm pretty sure they're playable Otherwise it would be kind of stupid to pay that much money for them

Maybe I should try it out the next time I can afford a new clarinet