Klarinet Archive - Posting 000403.txt from 1995/12

From: Teri Herel <Herelt@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Cracked Clarinet
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 03:57:31 -0500

In a message dated 95-12-14 17:33:20 EST, you write:

>I have an old clarinet that I bought from a local music store. It is marked
>"EVETTE & SCHAEFFER, PARIS FRANCE, MODELE BUFFET-CRAMPON". It appears to be
>made out of some type of wood. There is a noticeable crack in the bell that
>starts
>at the bottom and extends upwards about two inches. I know very little about
>clarinets and I was wondering if the crack can be repaired. The clarinet
>looks like it was heavily used by its previous owners. Is it worth fixing?

I have found those old Evette & Schaeffer Buffets to be wonderful horns...
If the only crack you have is in the bell, it would certainly be worth having
a reputable repair person look at it. The cost of a repad & overhaul is a
very small price to pay for the quality of these old Buffet student model
clarinets. (Even if there are more cracks in the upper joints, I would still
look into restoration.)

The wood is the African blackwood, grenadilla. I have found the older wood
in old Buffets, both student and professional models, to have a very
beautiful sound. (You will soon hear everyone's opinion on what causes a
great sound...my own personal opinion is that it comes from [in this order]:
mouthpiece, embouchre, including tounge & throat position, clarinet, reed, &
brain.)

I believe Buffet stoped making the Evette & Schaeffer models around fifteen
years ago...

I'm sure you'll be hearing more.

Teri Herel