Klarinet Archive - Posting 000385.txt from 2005/11

From: Hendy Appleton <naadhira@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Buffet 1907 LP Bb clarinet
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2005 23:36:23 -0500

I'm a very part-time clarinet player who happened to wander into an auction
today where a Buffet clarinet was up for bidding. I've always wanted a
Buffet, but couldn't afford one 20 years ago when I was in high school and
can't justify buying a new one now that I only play occasionally. So I
thought, here's my chance! It was cheap, it was in pretty good condition
(no cracks, needs new corks and a few new pads), and was playable as-is. I
thought - what the heck? I definitely didn't want to see it turned into a lamp.

I checked the serial number (Z375) when I got home and was stunned to learn
it was made in 1907. I did more poking around and learned the difference
between HP and LP - this one's an LP. I learned about the "donut" hole in
the upper joint, something I hadn't seen before but didn't know enough to
think twice about... but now know that it validates that this isn't likely
to be a mismatched clarinet - the donut key plus the wrap-around register
key is correct for 1907.

What I didn't get any sense of is how rare/unusual/unique this particular
clarinet might be. Can anyone help me out here?

And yes, if it *is* something special, I'll probably sell it. Not because
I'm mercenary (although who couldn't use an extra buck or two around this
time of year?), but mostly because I just don't play often enough to have
anything other than a run-of-the-mill instrument, and would rather see
something special in the hands of someone who can truly appreciate it.

- Hendy

*****************************************
We hold no great secret except this:
We know that all endeavor is art
when rendered with conviction.
- Charles de Lint

naadhira@-----.net
www.naadhira.net

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