 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ron Wise
Date: 2000-01-25 22:06
I have an old Buffet I have always wondered if I should fix it up for myself or maybe just donate it to the local school system. I have played a Leblonc Symphony IV for 30 years but it is feeling stuffy lately. I think I am interested in a brighter soloist sound. I acquired the Buffet in Germany in the early 70's and it was very used at that time. It's mark is a lyre on top of an oval. In the oval is Buffet, Crampon & Cie, A Paris, and below is a B and C overlaid and then Made in France on all four pieces. There are no other marks other than the serial number F69360. Leather pads on four larger holes, others have been eaten by something (should I fumigate?). Plating on keys is badly worn where fingers touch. Is this a beginner, intermediate, or advanced instrument? Can I let just any music store repair it or does it need a specialist? How much should I expect to pay to restore it and is it valuable enough to justify it? Any help is welcome, thank you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2000-01-25 22:26
If your Leblanc Symphony IV is getting stuffy, have a technician check for leaks. Also check your mouthpiece. Something may have happened to it.
You see I have the even older Leblanc Symphonie II (sometimes Leblanc used the French spelling and other times the English spelling) which is not the least bit stuffy.
The Buffet should be/probably is an R-13, a professional grade instrument. It should be worth a complete overhaul even if it is costly. The price on this varies but the last time I checked in my area it was around $250. If you get it replated *at the same time*, it should run only about $100 more. However decide up front if you want it replated because if you have then done later then you have to pay for another complete overhaul as they have to completely disassemble the keys from the horn and remove all pads, corks, etc.
Actually Leblancs tend to be considered "brighter" than Buffets although I have had no problems blending with the Buffet players in our community band.
You might try a different mouthpiece to get a "brighter" sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Doug
Date: 2000-01-26 19:07
Buffets made for the European market have, as yours does, a serial number beginning with F (for France?) These are not the same as the R-13 which was really designed for the American market. The F serial instruments usually have the register key placed a bit higher, an idea that has only recently become favorable in the American market. This register placement is similar to the tube placement on the Buffet S-1, RC and present Festival, all of which probably evolved from the European model (F serials). The only problem with your example is that quite likely it was tuned at about A=442 for Europe and not at 440.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
