Can you hum a few bars?  Impossible to narrow it down otherwise....

Hmm.  Weird.  Now it seems fine. Probably user error.

I keep getting an error message:

This page isn’t workingclarinetpages.info redirected you too many times.
Try clearing your cookies.
ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

I've cleaned out my cookies, but Google Chrome still won't let me in.  I had to resort to Safari.  I'm wondering if this is a "Me" thing, or if others are having the issue as well. 

I have owned a few Penzel Muellers and always loved playing them (although I have never played a Brilliante).  They are lovely instruments and nicely built.  I will say that I was disappointed to find that when I played my P-Ms with groups, there were some really out of tune notes. Like, not just a little bit....really horribly and noticeably out of tune.

After much research, I found that (as Dave said) the culprit was the lack of a polycylindrical bore.  They can be played in tune, but it just takes a lot more work.  I'm not sure if the Brilliantes (which are known to be the best clarinets P-M ever built) have an improved bore or overcame these issues. 

Good luck.  I'm a fan of vintage clarinets and always feel like they are worth refurbishing (and are often better built than modern clarinets), but they do come with their own set of challenges. 

I have two Buffet R-13s (a Bb from 1960 and an A from 1981) that are terrific instruments.  I've never played a better clarinet than these vintage R-13s (but I've played many that are every bit as good).

However, I think Buffet's marketing became far more important than its craftsmanship at some point after the 1980s (maybe someone knows what happened with Buffet back then).  Today, you pay thousands for a new Buffet with the expectation that you'll have to send it to your tech before you can really play it. 

Meanwhile, Selmer Paris has been making incredible instruments for at least as long.  I have several Selmer Paris clarinets (bass, alto, basset horn, contra alto) and have owned an Eb and a Bb Series 9* from them that were spectacular. And yet the brand has lagged (a long way) behind Buffet in the clarinet world for a long time (since the R-13, I understand). Leblanc and Yamaha also make great instruments (though admittedly, I haven't ever played any!)

Also, there are many (now vintage) brands that have produced great instruments over the years that are even more unsung: Couesnon, Noblet, Thibouville, Dolnet, Marigaux, Penzel-Mueller, and so many others.

So, why is Buffet so darn popular?  And overpriced?  I can't think of a reason.  So, I submit: BUFFET IS OVERRATED. 

Thoughts?  (Feel free to disagree....I'm probably overlooking something)





 

I played clarinet from 4th grade through the end of high school.  I was pretty good, but hadn't planned on playing in college.  Fate intervened when I found out that I basically needed a scholarship to even afford going to college, and I ended up getting some money at an out-of-state school as part of a music scholarship. My parents later moved to that state during my sophomore year, and therefore the scholarship was no longer needed.  I immediately changed majors, took on a huge course load to try and graduate on time with a more business-focused degree, and never looked back.  I literally didn't play for over 20 years. 

I have had careers in advertising, marketing, agriculture, and I have run a non-profit for the past 4 years.  I've been lucky to have enjoyed each step along the way, and to have made a nice living as I've gone along. 

Once my life, family, and career were in a good place, I started to miss music.  I started back playing with a community band almost 10 years ago now, and have loved it.  I now study with a teacher, play in chamber ensembles, and have built up a stable of great instruments that I enjoy playing.  Continuing to play these awesome vintage instruments is basically my "retirement plan," although retirement is still several years away. 

I think this is great, and really the wave of the future.  Maybe someday music stores will be places where they print your desired instrument and then finish them for your with keys and accessories! 

Today you spend thousands buying a new Buffet, which has to be sent immediately to a tech to get it playing well.  They don't sell finished instruments anymore, really, they sell expensive and pretty clarinet "kits."  For this reason, I have stuck with vintage horns -- they are generally well made, more thoroughly finished, and use higher quality materials.  I've had a few "bad surprises," but not that many.  And I have spent countless thousands less than if I had bought new instruments. 

So, I say bring on the 3-D printed horns!  Especially in the case of rarer instruments, it's a true solution. 

The Noblet eefer is refurbished!  Take a look at this "born again" beauty!