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Buffet Légende Bb Clarinet

Buffet Légende Bb Clarinet

Buffet told us to tell you this: Through the end of 2024, get a $150 rebate from Buffet toward any Buffet clarinet purchase!

Yeah, we think $150 is kind of silly too, given how expensive these instruments are. So, I'm going to make it less silly: Earspasm is offering an additional rebate on any new Buffet clarinet through the end of 2024. Because of Buffet's advertising rules, I can't tell you how much right here, so you gotta email me. Needless to say, it is a heck of a lot more meaningful. 

What's a Légende?

It seems every maker is experimenting with bores. Buffet is no exception, and the Légende caps years of experimentation with a brand new bore design. The Légende builds on the Tradition line of clarinet bores, which are quite different from the R13 line of bores (found in the Prestige, RC, and Festival models). The Légende/Tradition side of the family is arguably darker than the R13 side, and is worth a long, hard look.

Resistance: 8/10, Heavy

Playing the Légende, I feel an instrument that pushes back quite a bit more than average, which results in a sound that has a tight core which will carry through even the lushest orchestral passages.

In general, more resistance in a clarinet design usually keeps the louder dynamic ranges from spreading; the clarinet "holds its core" and focus, but will provide a smaller dynamic range (on both ends, loud and soft) and smaller color palette. A less resistant clarinet typically provides a much wider tonal palette to choose from, but will require more control from the player to control pitch and sound consistency.

When listening for how a clarinet responds to added air pressure and embouchure control, listen to the Weber example (wide dynamic range and color range), then the Berlioz excerpt (wide dynamic range, but narrow color range), and finally the Gershwin excerpt (narrow dynamic range and narrow color range). You will hear how these clarinets respond — for better or worse! — to my input as a clarinet player.

Then compare the Légende with a more free-blowing (less-resistant) clarinet like the Buffet R13 or the Selmer Privilege. You'll hear the difference, especially with the dynamic extremes in the Berlioz and Gershwin.

Special features

The Légende has metal-capped tenons (a great addition IMO, that Selmer has also been doing on their Signature and Privilege clarinets to great success). The tone holes have GreenLine (resin/grenadilla composite) inserts, which serves to remove microscopic wood grains from the whole pad-must-seal-wood process. This means that your pad will seal perfectly now, next year, and forever. Well, until you need new pads at least.

The Low F correction key sits right below the Low F key, providing an opportunity to, well, correct how out of tune that note often is.

New ergonomic rings around the tone holes. A small thing, but man does it feel good. In fact, all of the keys feel (and look) fantastic.

And, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the case and case cover are stunningly cool looking. Almost retro, but with a modern Scandinavian vibe. Check out the pictures and see what I mean.

Comes with:

  • 65mm and 66mm barrels
  • Metal tenons and sockets
  • Low F correction key
  • Cork and gore-tex pads
  • Silver and Rose Gold finished keywork with adjustable thumb rest
  • Légende single case with case cover

All earspasm instruments come with a 7-day trial. Please read my trial policy before pulling out that credit card.

FAQ:

Q: What is a "demo" instrument?
A: Sometimes I get open-box instruments that have been to a trade show. These instruments are brand-new, and come with the same warranty as new instruments. But because they've been unboxed, they can't be sold as new...so I get a discount which I pass along to you. Each one is set up, just like every instrument I sell. If you have any questions about a specific demo instrument I have for sale here, just reach out and we can discuss!

Q: What if I'm in New York and want to try it in person?
A: Contact me to set up an appointment, and let's do it!

Q: Does the instrument come with a warranty?
A: Yes, it comes with the Buffet warranty against cracks, etc. If you ever have any problem with the instrument, I'm your quarterback. I'll take care of the whole process, just let me know you need help, and I'll take it from there.

Q: What happens if it's damaged during shipping?
A: Inspect the package before you sign off at delivery! If there are any issues resulting from shipping, we have taken out an insurance policy to cover damage (and loss). But we need you to document this damage or we can't do anything to help. Please read my trial policy for how to handle this issue, should it arise.

Q: If I decide to return it, do have to pay return shipping costs?
A: Not if you live in the Continental US! Because I want you to find the right instrument for you, and doing so online is harder than doing so in-person, I will cover the return shipping. Please  read my trial policy for trial and return rules.

Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes. You can add your shipping address when checking out to see what the shipping costs will be before taking the plunge. Note that VAT and Customs Duties are not included in this cost.

Key/Type
Regular price $9,297.00
Regular price Sale price $9,297.00
Sale More coming soon!
Shipping calculated at checkout.
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Pro Model Clarinet Comparison

Backun

Lumiére

Buffet

Festival

Buffet

Légende

Buffet

Tosca

Royal

Firebird

Body Material

Grenadilla

Cocobolo

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Gold

Silver

Silver

Silver

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Gold

Silver

Silver

Silver

Gold

Included Accessories

Swab, Cork Grease

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

65mm, 66mm

65mm, 66mm

65mm, 66mm

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years

2 years

2 years

2 years

3 years

Show Answer
Show Answer

Backun

Lumiére

Body Material

Grenadilla

Cocobolo

Key Material

Silver

Gold

Post Material

Silver

Gold

Included Accessories

Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years

Buffet

Festival

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years

Buffet

Légende

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years

Buffet

Tosca

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years

Royal

Firebird

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Gold

Included Accessories

Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm, 66mm

Warranty (wood)

3 years

Pro Model Clarinet Comparison (continued)

Selmer

Privilege

Selmer

Muse

Selmer

Signature

Selmer

Recital

Uebel

Zenit

Body Material

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Grenadilla

Mopane

Key Material

Silver

Silver

Silver

Silver

Silver

Gold

Post Material

Silver

Silver

Silver

Silver

Silver

Gold

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65.5mm, 66.5mm

64mm, 65mm

62.5mm, 64.5mm

62.5mm, 64.5mm

65mm (x2), 66mm (x2)

Warranty (wood)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

5 years

Show Answer
Show Answer

Selmer

Privilege

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65.5mm, 66.5mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

Selmer

Muse

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

64mm, 65mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

Selmer

Signature

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

62.5mm, 64.5mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

Selmer

Recital

Body Material

Grenadilla

Key Material

Silver

Post Material

Silver

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

62.5mm, 64.5mm

Warranty (wood)

2 years (Evolution material: 10 years)

Uebel

Zenit

Body Material

Grenadilla

Mopane

Key Material

Silver

Gold

Post Material

Silver

Gold

Included Accessories

Mouthpiece, Ligature, Swab, Cork Grease

Barrel(s)

65mm (x2), 66mm (x2)

Warranty (wood)

5 years

Customer Reviews

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G
Glendon Gill

The Legende has a very rich and deep tone. A noticeable difference from my Selmer Privilege which I think has a broader tone. One is not better than the other (I love them both), just different. My wife even commented on the richer and deeper tone of the Legende. I play New Orleans jazz and like the Legende for the more mellow tunes (think Jitterbug Waltz or Si Tu Vois Ma Mere.) But I have no problem playing it on the more raucus tunes. It is slightly more resistent, but that is not remotely a problem. The Legende has exceptionally smooth and fluid ergonomics and is a joy to play--just took a little time to get used to the slighty different positioning of the right hand pinky keys. And of course, it has just the right amount of bling!! The Legende is an incredible clarinet and I highly recommend it. As for customer service, Michael was a pleasure to work with and very responsive to my inquiries. Well Done!!!