Klarinet Archive - Posting 000459.txt from 1996/08

From: Dick Walters <waltersd@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Buffet S-1
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 19:19:00 -0400

Now I'm curious, my Buffet (s/n 57756) is not marked (beyond the
classic trademark). My belief is it dates to the 50's. Looks like
an R-13 with non plated german silver keys. Seems to have a
somewhat darker sound than a modern R13. Think it would be an R-12,
or whatever preceeded the R-13?
---------
Interesting story, at least to me. In the early 70's, after not
playing for years, I bought this horn use in LA for $200. Played it
for my wife, who said it sounded beautiful. After a few days,
excited about my return to playing, I took it back and paid $850 for
a new R-13. Took it home to surprise my wife, who asked "what
happened to your clarinet? It doesn't sound as good as it did last
night." Next morning, went back to the used instrument shop and
asked the guy for the used horn back to compare the two. That done,
I dropped by the LA Civic Auditorium, or wherever the LA Symphony
lived at that time and asked if there were any Cl players around.
As luck would have it, they had just finished rehearsal. The lady
called out the Clarinetsection leader (who's name I have long since
forgotten, I'm sorry to say). Told him my story and that I was a
rank amateur and would he give me his expert opinon of the two
horns. He got out his mouthpiece and proceeded to both impress and
intiminate me with his playing on both horns. Said "your wife is
right, this is a much better horn than the new one". Even I could
tell the difference with the sound outside my head. That was my
last shot at a new R-13 Bb. (Do have a plated high s/n "A", which I
suspect is an R-13, although it not marked either).

Dick Walters
waltersd@-----.net

From: fredj@-----.EDU
Date: 8/15/96 6:56:51PM
To: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network
Subject: Re: Buffet S-1

Robert,
My favorite Buffet model was the S-1. Impossible to get
here in
the US, the few I tried were much better in tune than the R-13.
I think
it never made it here because the sound was a tad lighter and
we all know
about the ridiculous fetish American players seem to have for
DARK, DARK,
DARK, DARK...sound. This is the reason that the R-13 is so
popular in the
US despite the fact that it really doesn't tune as well as
either the RC
or the S-1. Unfortunately, I have never been able to get my
hands on an
S-1 so I play R-13's. Luckily, they do screw up once in a while
and make
one which tunes well. I have just such a b-flat horn.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Thu, 15 Aug 1996, Robert Brown wrote:
>
> I am playing my grandfather's Buffet S-1, circa 1972, and I
haven't seen
> much in the way of discussion on this model. In fact, I
assumed it was
> an intermediate student's model, until I read that Don Byron
Plays one.
>
> Can anyone give me the scoop on this horn? Thanks.
>
> Bob Brown
> Burtonsville, MD
>