Trying out the New Buffet Mopane R-13!
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- In July of 2021 Buffet Crampon announced the release of 85 limited edition clarinets made out of Mopane wood. Consisting of some of their most popular models (R-13, Tosca, Divine, and Legende) the instruments almost immediately sold out, mostly going to Buffet's own Artists. However, my friend Jay Shankar was lucky enough to be able to purchase one of these instruments, and by sheer luck, I was able to try it out for a few minutes. This was a super unplanned video, but when the opportunity to try out his Mopane R-13 struck, I simply had to seize it! Hopefully I can do a more intensive review in the future!
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Equipment Used:
Buffet Bb Tosca Clarinet
Buffet Bb Mopane R-13 Clarinet
PlayNick Tosca Clarinet Mouthpiece
Silverstein Hexa Ligature
D'Addario Strength 3.5 Reserve Classic Reed
Audio Equipment:
MixPre-3
Line Audio CM4 Stereo Pair
Shure KSM 141
(In an effort to keep the sound as accurate as possible, no EQ or other audio processing tools are added to clips of me playing.)
Camera:
Fujifilm XT-3
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For business or lesson inquiries contact: @eCreations@gmail.com
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After listening back and thinking about it further, one word that I wished I had used in the video to describe the sound of the Mopane is "light." There isn't quite as much density in the sound in the Mopane. It will certainly still project, but it wouldn't be my go-to for massive Romantic orchestral pieces (not that, that is a bad thing, not every piece of equipment needs to be used for every kind of piece). I made this video very quickly and really do hope that I will get a chance to spend more time with one of these instruments in the future!
So with sacrificing projection it gains the flexibility (the upper register high E sounds like butter) and a beautiful singing sound. For most of the comparison on the internet I prefer the grenadilla wood, this is actually one of the first video where the sound of the R13 mopane was just so interesting I just want to hear it more❤️
Butter is the perfect way of describing how the High E sounded and responded! I really hope that Buffet produces more of these instruments in the future so that more people have access to trying them out and playing with them regularly. The unique sound offers something to performances and recordings! Thanks for watching Junnan!
Delighted to learn that Buffet has recently announced a wider release of Mopane wood models.
You could’ve compared two grenadilla Toscas resulting in the same outcomes and therefore the same comments. On a sample of one, the differences can’t be attributed to the type of wood used.
For B-flats and altos specifically I prefer a "direct" sound, while for E-flats and basses I prefer a "diffuse" sound.
That’s fair! I definitely prefer more mellow sounding Auxiliaries as well!
Every Tosca I have ever heard or tested sounds like the instrument is getting in the way of the music. Lots of reedy and woody quality especially in the throat tones instead of just sounding like a clarinet, and lots of keywork noises - way more than any other Buffet instrument! I'm not super impressed with it and I don't get what the hype is all about. The mopane R13 sounds nice but not as dense/dark as I prefer. Obviously no way to know for sure without playing it myself but I think GreenLine is still my preferred material
Are the chamber of those instruments different? Does the Tosca have a narrower upper join that focuses the air flow differently than the R13?
I though the Mopane sounded warmer with not quite as much ring at the top (not as bright) when compared to the Grenadilla. This appears to be a characteristic of the wood much more than the instrument manufactures. The Mopane would probably be my choice for smaller venues and for very quiet passages. The Mopane is distinctively different, but not exceptional.
I thought the Mopane had a more mellow sound. I listened on a good set of HARMON KARDON speakers with sub woofer. I could imagine the mopane as a great chamber music instrument or solo with piano instrument. Do they make the Tosca in mopane? That would be an accurate Honey Crisp to Honey Crisp comparison.
Thanks for watching, I agree with your assessment! They do make the Tosca in Mopane, but they made such a limited amount, I am not sure I would actually be able to get my hands on one!
@@ParkHouseCreations I did a search on mopane wood, and in the description there was a comment that blackwood (grenadilla) is now considered an endangered species with only limited amounts be allowed to be harvested. Also that mopane has been used more often for flutes. If grenadilla is limited, prices will continue to increase on all instruments made from it.
Ya, the addition of Grenadilla and other Dalbergia species to the CITES regulations was definitely concerning. I know there are conservation practices and groups in place to prevent those trees’ extinction and I hope that it was regulated early enough to prevent the destruction of the various species! That being said, I expect you’re right, prices will continue to go up and/or alternative materials will be used for instrument construction. I expect people will end up keeping their instruments longer than they did in the past as well.
I said the same thing...sorta. But you said it first.
I like the Mopane’s sound and that “buttery” quality/ease of playing the high register. What wood is it made of?
Sorry if I wasn’t clear in the video, the “Mopane R-13” is made out of Mopane wood. The R-13 is the model. Unless I am misunderstanding your question?
@@ParkHouseCreations No you understood - I had just never heard of this wood before. Thank you 🙏
hey, beatiful tone, btw i like your clarinet sound
Thanks!
To me the Tosca far outperforms the Mopane R13, much fuller sound coming from the Tosca.
I was definitely more comfortable on my Tosca! But I hope I can spend some additional time with one of the Mopane instruments in the future, hopefully a Tosca model so that I can get a more direct comparison!
"Far out performs?" You worded that so its an opinion, therefore, nobody can argue. Still, lets not exaggerate.
What piece were you playing? Thanks
Depending on the edition it's one of the 30 Cavallini Caprices (in my book it was #1). Thanks for watching!
Were you playing cavallini n1
Yes, good ear!
The mopane sounds a lot more in tune and the sound is even and similar in all registers. The grenadilla sounds a little bit out of tune, speaking of overtones and quiet dynamics. Some tones are louder and shriek, as if they have different volume. Also seems more difficult to control and a lot of mouth yoga necessary. I've been making barrels and bells for some time, same thing there. Brown is beautiful, also working with it. I go all black working grenadilla, like a chimney sweep.
I think a lot of what you've mentioned is more about the specific nature of the Tosca vs. the R13. I've had a couple of opportunities to play test Toscas, R13s and a couple other Buffet models side by side to get a good comparison and I've always found the Tosca a really difficult instrument - in the sense of "acting difficult/temperamental" more than "complex". There's a teeny tiny sweet spot on some notes and if you miss it you don't sound great at all. Maybe there are some people who really make it work for them but the problems I notice show up in a lot of videos I find of other people playing them too
Actually, listening to you the Mopane has more ring and protection,
Where can I buy one?😊
I believe Liam Burke still has a Mopane Legende available in his shop, otherwise I am afraid they are sold out!
You can hear the difference But you are right your comparing Apples to Apples
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for watching!
There are no bad instruments, there are talentless musicians. So, don’t fool novice musicians with stupid commercials.