Buffet International Clarinets?

Question

Good idea for a 5th year player, 3rd year marching? I'm not sure if she will continue to college level with it, but is only going into the 9th grade this fall.

I have an offer from our local shop(the one her band director goes through so I am sure it is acceptable to her). $1447 for one used for a month or so or $1697 brand new. 12 months same as cash or 24 months at 13.99%.

She has seriosuly outgrown her beginner's instrument. I need somethign that will last her the remainder of high school but not necessarily on to college level.

She lives with her father but he is being very little help as to what she currently has. The shop I called has her information though and they recomended this horn.

Answer 1

Hi Betsy... Ruth here.  It is unbelievable that they are charging $1447 for a used International.   I think it is highway robbery,  but that is the way those programs work...  not to anyone's advantage but their own.   The International is really perfect for the next step.   I will agree with the other respondant...the International is a very nice high quality clarinet.  It would be ashamed if your daughter has to play it out of doors and expose it to heat, humidity and other dangerous hazards.   If she does have her original horn... I would insist she play that one for marching band and only use the International for competitions, solo and ensemble and concert season.   You are really working very hard to provide her with a nice instrument.  :))    I hope everything works out!!!!  Best of Luck

Answer 2

i've been playing clarinet for seven years and i marched clarinet this last season for marching band. i can tell you now, its not worth getting a really nice clarinet like a buffet if she's doing marching band. the wear in the sun and the weather will really wear on the instrument. and especially if she's not planning on doing band in college.

however, if i understand your question correctly and she is in a concert/symphonic band, a buffet or van doren clarinet will help her grow as a musician, but the cost of it, might not be worth buying if she's not doing it in college. i'm sure you can rent her a buffet for the remainder of her high school days.

Answer 3

Hi there.

You don't say what the instrument is that she has outgrown.

Searching the web for second hand Buffet International clarinets, it looks like you should be able to pick one up for half that price.  I found this one selling for $690: http://houston.craigslist.org/msg/750852...

However, have you considered the Buffet B12?  You can get one new for $608 at this site:

http://www.music123.com/Buffet-Crampon-B...  

Presumably a reputable music store would sell the B12 second hand for less than that again.

I'm a professional clarinet player.  I took a year out about 10 years ago and went travelling where I couldn't take my professional clarinet.  I bought a B12 for my travels, and I found it fantastic.  The tuning and keywork are equal to the Buffet professional models.  I found that the plastic instrument didn't allow me to colour my sound the way my own wooden clarinet does, but that's not a major drawback for a pre-college player.

Hope that helps.  Good luck with your search!