This is a very neat comparison! I have a Yamaha and a Buffet and have gotten my hands on a Backun once. Very cool to see the “big four” up against each other. Each one has its own unique “character” to it.
The most important thing is behind the clarinet.: YOU. Practice practice practice.and practice.Dont worry about brands.I have been playing the clarinet for more than 50 years.I know what Im taking about
One would expect clarinets that cost above £4K pounds should sound good! But there are differences still. Selmer Muse and Backun Lumiere projected the most complex sound. Versatile instruments indeed. Selmer Muse sounded a bit richer and enveloping. Buffet XXI is a fine instrument, but its voice is shy, thin and understated, regardless of register; it's almost like Buffet did not fully trust the new design? Yamaha SE articulates well, but the clarion range lacks the weight and complexity which Selmer Muse and Backun Lumiere can deliver.
Why not mention the prices? Selmer Muse = £4300, the cheapest of this lot. Backun Lumiere = £7300, the most expensive of this lot. Good instrument, but I think it can't justify its price when compared to significantly cheaper and remarkable Muse. Buffet XXI = £6300, £2K more expensive than Muse, £1K cheaper than Lumiere. Yamaha SE = £5000.
Hi Zvonomir, thanks for watching the video(s). We never mention prices simply because they always change! So, it's a very easy way to make the video out of date. We always include a link to the website so people can check the latest price at the time they see the video, either now or in 2 years time.
@@dawkesmusic Thank you. You see, these are the top of the lines clarinets, for many (poor) musicians these are the things that stay locked in glass cabinets in music shops. In the shop, I would not even consider trying them, because it would be pointless. But thanks to your kindness in this short review, I was curious, and then discovered quite a surprising economic counterpoints behind them.
They're all incredibly great sounding, the differences are quite subtle. The Muse sounds the best IMO, richer in high harmonics and resonance. Lumiere comes in a close second place, then XXI and Yamaha. The option of a lower note on the XXI is a great thing to consider, though. The only thing I'm missing in this video is a comparison with Seggelke and Rossi as well, and you forget to mention that the Muse has the option of a correction mechanism too.
Interesting comparison - but would have been even nicer if you had tested their intonation. Also - many (like me) consider Yamaha's CSV bore to be superior to the SEV.
Hi Kevin - thanks for watching and your comment. Intonation testing is somewhat tricky because it very much depends on the mouthpiece being used by the individual as you will know. As such it would only ever be relevant to the demonstrators set-up which may not be suited to all users. Thanks for checking out the video and we agree the CSV bore type is lovely :)
As a player of that Yamaha model, for 3 years now (previously Buffet Festivals), it does sound to me that you’re least comfortable with the articulation response of the Yamaha. It took me a while to realise that they really don’t reward any sort of embouchure biting, unlike most French instruments, where it is to some extent embedded in the traditional playing style and ‘required’ by the instruments. The Yamaha really opens up and can be very warm when you just let it vibrate.
Rather surprised to read other commentators hearing the Muse as "richer" in tone. To me, it sounds noticeably thinner and lacking in body compared to the others - and this is an impression I've gained from different comparison videos where the Muse has been played. I haven't had the chance to play one, but from these demonstrations I get the impression I'd always be fighting to get it to produce a warmer sound than it naturally wants to.
Well I suppose that's the fun thing about instruments and music, we all perceive things differently and have our own preferences and hence it's important for us to actually try stuff to make sure we like them!
I think my personal favourite here is the Muse. The sound quality seems to just flow so clearly and nicely.
This is a very neat comparison! I have a Yamaha and a Buffet and have gotten my hands on a Backun once. Very cool to see the “big four” up against each other. Each one has its own unique “character” to it.
It's so interesting, reading the comments, how we all perceive sound differently. To me, the Yamaha sounded much thinner than the others.
The backun clarinet is so beautiful
The Selmer's Muse Sound is really perfect to my ears.
The most important thing is behind the clarinet.: YOU. Practice practice practice.and practice.Dont worry about brands.I have been playing the clarinet for more than 50 years.I know what Im taking about
Of course you have to practice, but having a nice instrument makes everything easier.
TRUE! mouthpiece and reed too!
And all your own teeth!@@jean-mariepardigon661
Should beginner invest in 600 bucks mouthpiece?
Very nice demonstration, Thanks Alastair.
I had to use headphones to be able to hear the full nuance but now I can hear it! THank you for posting this!
Our pleasure!
Thank you for another lovely video. I adore the XXI. As I can never afford one I have chosen, instead, an RC Greenline from Dawkes.
The Backuns are just such beautiful sounding clarinets. My personal favorite.
Yes they are!
One would expect clarinets that cost above £4K pounds should sound good! But there are differences still. Selmer Muse and Backun Lumiere projected the most complex sound. Versatile instruments indeed. Selmer Muse sounded a bit richer and enveloping. Buffet XXI is a fine instrument, but its voice is shy, thin and understated, regardless of register; it's almost like Buffet did not fully trust the new design? Yamaha SE articulates well, but the clarion range lacks the weight and complexity which Selmer Muse and Backun Lumiere can deliver.
Why not mention the prices?
Selmer Muse = £4300, the cheapest of this lot.
Backun Lumiere = £7300, the most expensive of this lot. Good instrument, but I think it can't justify its price when compared to significantly cheaper and remarkable Muse.
Buffet XXI = £6300, £2K more expensive than Muse, £1K cheaper than Lumiere.
Yamaha SE = £5000.
Hi Zvonomir, thanks for watching the video(s). We never mention prices simply because they always change! So, it's a very easy way to make the video out of date. We always include a link to the website so people can check the latest price at the time they see the video, either now or in 2 years time.
@@dawkesmusic Thank you. You see, these are the top of the lines clarinets, for many (poor) musicians these are the things that stay locked in glass cabinets in music shops. In the shop, I would not even consider trying them, because it would be pointless. But thanks to your kindness in this short review, I was curious, and then discovered quite a surprising economic counterpoints behind them.
The Yamaha sounds so rich. Personally, despite me having a Buffet, I'd prefer the Yamaha, and would have one next over the others..
My yamaha is perfect. Quiet, loud, passionate.
They're all incredibly great sounding, the differences are quite subtle. The Muse sounds the best IMO, richer in high harmonics and resonance. Lumiere comes in a close second place, then XXI and Yamaha. The option of a lower note on the XXI is a great thing to consider, though. The only thing I'm missing in this video is a comparison with Seggelke and Rossi as well, and you forget to mention that the Muse has the option of a correction mechanism too.
My first buffet clarinet I bought in 1977 had a bottom e flat and was longer.
Interesting comparison - but would have been even nicer if you had tested their intonation.
Also - many (like me) consider Yamaha's CSV bore to be superior to the SEV.
Hi Kevin - thanks for watching and your comment. Intonation testing is somewhat tricky because it very much depends on the mouthpiece being used by the individual as you will know. As such it would only ever be relevant to the demonstrators set-up which may not be suited to all users. Thanks for checking out the video and we agree the CSV bore type is lovely :)
in all my years i never thought i'd bad mouth a Buffet!!! however...this is my list.....Selmer, Yamaha, Backun, Buffet
I'm surprised to not see Uebel represented. One of the better-kept secrets, I guess.
The video is 2 years old, and Uebel wasn't sold by Dawkes at the time?
As a player of that Yamaha model, for 3 years now (previously Buffet Festivals), it does sound to me that you’re least comfortable with the articulation response of the Yamaha. It took me a while to realise that they really don’t reward any sort of embouchure biting, unlike most French instruments, where it is to some extent embedded in the traditional playing style and ‘required’ by the instruments. The Yamaha really opens up and can be very warm when you just let it vibrate.
Buffet 1:07
Selmer 3:48
Yamaha 6:05
Backun 8:44
The Selmer sounds best to me.
Team backun here .... backun are not just really good clarinets , the customer service and the makers are with no doubt the best in the market .
For more Backun Lumiere playing , David Schifrin’s more recent recordings on TH-cam feature him performing with his Lumiere.
Is there any word on an A model Buffet XXI?
Finally there is one listed on the Buffet-Crampon website, but I've only ever tried the Bb BCXXI.
I would like to hear a blind comparison.
Todos os modelos são excelentes! qual o nome e autor desta música que você está tocando ?
It's Mozart - excerpts from the Clarinet Concerto.
Rather surprised to read other commentators hearing the Muse as "richer" in tone. To me, it sounds noticeably thinner and lacking in body compared to the others - and this is an impression I've gained from different comparison videos where the Muse has been played. I haven't had the chance to play one, but from these demonstrations I get the impression I'd always be fighting to get it to produce a warmer sound than it naturally wants to.
Well I suppose that's the fun thing about instruments and music, we all perceive things differently and have our own preferences and hence it's important for us to actually try stuff to make sure we like them!
From this video my ranking in terms of sound from 1 favourite to 4 least favourite
1. Yamaha SE
2. Buffet XXI
3. Selmer Muse
4. Backun Lumiere
To see the Yamaha has the best sound
☝🏽
You should have added a German system clarinet. German system clarinets squeal and squeak less on high notes.
Super