 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jimbomiami
Date: 2000-05-28 01:29
I was a musical pianist once upon ago and had a friend of mine gift a beautiful present to me about 30 years ago. It is a Buffet Clarinet handcrafted in 1901. It appears to be in nice condition. Although, the mouth piece does look likes it is plastic. I want to insure it and I do not know what it's worth is. Can anyone help?
Jim F.
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-05-28 02:00
Dear Jimbomiami: I think you probably have a great instrument. You should have a clarinetist play it, if it is in playing condition, using his/her mouthpiece (if it will fit). Can you read a number on any of the joints of the instrument? Is there an instrument appraisor in your area?
I have a 1914 Buffet A Clarinet and it's priceless - everyone who has played it wants it! You may have such a desireable clarinet. If it's not in playing condition, it would be wise to have it repaired. Try to ascertain if it is pitched in B-flat, A or C. The only drawback could be if it is not the "Boehm" system of key work. If it has rollers between some of the keys, it may not be worth much except to a collector, but if it is "Boehm" system, it could be quite a find. All the best! Earl
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-05-28 04:00
Sounds like a real beaut. Look it over and see if it says LP or HP on it. If its LP (low pitch), you can still play it with other modern instruments. Though some folks will disadree with me, I still think the old natural slow grown wood is better in those older instruments, rather that the faster cultivated trees used on the newer. Just ask a master piano technition who has over hauled and restored pianos for many years. Also count the distance between the rings on the wood on the old and the new.
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Author: jimbomiami
Date: 2000-05-28 13:41
Thank you Earl and Willie for your responses...
I will have someone play it during the week. I will also check on any appraisers. I live in Miami (Hence, the jimbomiami name)so I am sure there is someone that can do that.
I am not an expert on this instrument at all so my questions may seem silly. But how do I identify if the instrument uses the Boehm system of key work? The keys are mounted on what appears to be hinges supported at each end. Thank you in advance for your help.
Jim
PS: there are numbers on the instrument. That is how I identified the year. I don't want to announce the numbers until it is insured. I'm sure you will understand
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Author: John
Date: 2000-05-28 16:07
I "stumbled" on a Buffet from that decade. My daughter latched onto it, since I already had my own Buffet. She performed Mozart's "Clarinet Quintet" at our district music festival and advanced to the state festival, where she received all superior marks.
I would also like to know what such a clarinet is worth. Maybe I should give my daughter my new Buffet - or a body guard! Seriously, it is a joy to play and to hear that piece of history.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-05-28 19:29
In most cases the clarinet would not be worth all that much in money; there are a number from that era around and they generally fetch a couple of hundred dollars at most at auction. That doesn't mean they're not wonderful clarinets, just that very, very few clarinets appreciate in value, and those that do generally have some history (owned by someone famous).
You also have to watch out for tuning problems if you're playing with a modern piano, orchestra, band, etc. Some (most?) instruments from that era were not built to A=440 or 442 pitch standards.
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Author: jimbomiami
Date: 2000-05-29 20:10
Thank you all for your responses. I will let you know what the appraiser has to say.
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Author: Mark P.
Date: 2000-05-29 23:42
I bought a 1902 Buffet full Boehm last year on eBay for $270, haven't had it overhualed yet so can't comment on playing quality
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-05-30 11:51
Boehm system clarinets will have four keys (or more if full Boehm) for the right hand little finger to operate and three keys (or more if full Boehm) for the left hand little finger to operate. Albert system horns will have two keys for each of the little fingers.
Instruments of that age were very often marked HP or High Pitch or LP or Low Pitch to distinguish one from the other. But there were also other tunings around.
Unless the appraiser specializes in musical instruments, he really won't be able to give an accurate appraisal. There are a lot of old instruments appraised at rather high values and the owner is never able to sell it at that. Thus the appraiser was wrong. Also ask the basis of the appraisal.
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Author: jimbomiami
Date: 2000-05-31 19:39
Thank you everyone. It seems to be a little harder then I thought to have the instrument priced. The only person in my area is the Clarinet professor at the University of Miami. Since the semester is out she won't be back till September. All the other people I have shown it to say its old and is in great shape. But can't comment any further. Does anybody know of anyone in the Miami area that specializes in Buffet Clarinets. I don't want to sell the instrument I just want to know whether it is valuble enough to insure. Thanks in advance. Jim
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