Best type of professional Clarinet?

Question

I am looking for the best type of professional clarinet for and undergraduate aspiring performance student. I looked at the Leblanc LB120B Symphonie Bb Clarinet and the Buffet R-13 Prestige and I will like to know what is the best clarinet? I am looking for the clarinet that has the best tone quality possible to it.

Answer 1

Buffet R-13.

You can't go wrong.

You won't regret it unless you decide to stop playing clarinet in the future and let it collect dust.

Answer 2

This question has been asked quite a few times in the last week or two, so I hope you don't mind if I copy and paste a little bit of a previous answer that I gave...

"97% of pro clarinet players use Buffet R-13. They have the same playability and pitch tendencies from one horn to the next... you ALWAYS know what you're getting with this one! It's tone quality and craftmanship make it the preferred brand, and it gives a uniform sound to a clarinet section. There are a few who use something OTHER than an R-13 (or one of the variants like the Prestige), and they have to work MUCH harder to blend and adjust pitch tendancies to those around them. The drawback is the price... they retail for around $4500+/-, but I assume you saw that already since you mentioned it in your question.  I would recommend you try finding a used one (I got mine for $1250) in your local music shop or online... usually, other than pad replacement, you can be assured that this will be a great horn.

My other recommendation, IF YOU CAN TEST BEFORE YOU BUY, is a Selmer Signature. These can be great horns too, but they don't have the consistancy of the Buffet line. I've played some that are utterly amazing, and others that aren't worth the wood they're made from (Grenadilla, by the way)!  Again, the price for a new one kinda makes you cringe ($4200+/-), but if you can find a used one, all the better. As I mentioned before, I would only buy this kind if you have the chance to play it first- so not off the internet unless they have a GREAT return policy!

There are many intermediate models that are decent, but I would skip these- especially if you're thinking of majoring in music. I guarantee that most of your peers in college (and beyond) will be using the Buffet R-13.

Personally, I love the R-13 for classical playing. It has a rich full tone and the key action can't be beat. For Jazz though, I prefer the Selmer Signature- it seems a little brighter and louder (again, this won't be the case with all Selmers).

Good Luck, and hope I could help!

Answer 3

The three that seem to lead the pack are Buffet (R13), Selmer Paris, and Leblanc Paris.

At this level, which you prefer depends upon you and the instrument and not so much on what I like.

There are professional symphony artists playing on each of the clarinets you mention and they each think that theirs is the better.

The only way to know for sure is to play a lot of them.  Spending this sort of money deserves that sort of attention.

Answer 4

trust me.

Buffet R13 Prestige clarinet in Bb

i want it too. too bad it costs almost $5,000 at Sam Ash.

Answer 5

It depends on what kind of Clarinet.

Bb Clarinets are for mid-high toned quality.

Bass Clarinets and others are pretty low.

There really isn't a "best" kind of clarinet.

Just if you but those cheap $100 ones then you will be unsatissfied when your talking about tone and quality.

If you buy those more "expensive" ones it would work better.

But what really counts is your determination,posture,practice, and breath support. =)