Klarinet Archive - Posting 000484.txt from 2004/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Old Buffet clarinet info
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 18:39:36 -0500

At 02:22 PM 1/15/2004 -0500, Erik Tkal wrote:
>Ok, so as I mentioned, I got a clarinet off of eBay for restoration, and
>I'm looking to see if I can find out some more information about it.
>
>The horn is a 1921 Buffet-Crampon with a wraparound register key. I have
>seen horns of that era with both types of register keys, is there a reason
>some are made one way versus another?

With the register key on top, the need for a register key TUBE seems to be
eliminated.

>Did they have different model lines then (e.g. R-13, student,
>intermediate, professional, etc)?

I think they made mainly one quality level, but different models had
more/fewer features, like articulated C#/G#, etc.

>Are the keys likely silver plated? How can I tell (other than the magnet
>test mentioned earlier :-P)? I don't want to try buffing too hard, would I
>risk removing the plating if present?

The keys are most likely UNPLATED nickel silver (brass with high nickel
content), as that was the way it was done back then. They will buff up
nicely, though. Plating did not seem to become popular on pro horns until
the 1960's. That is probably because plating was often used to hide the
inferior pot metal keys on cheap instruments.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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