The Clarinet BBoard

Re: Help Id'ing a Buffet Evette Clarinet

Author: Ellie_M  Date:   2011-07-01 11:05 I inherited a similar Evette from my grandfather a few years after he passed. I started playing nearly two years ago and my grandmother had had it reconditioned so that it was playable, although it just sat in her house until I asked for it. I actually had similar questions when I got mine (having a unique serial number, case and just being unfamiliar with general clarinet quality) and have found some websites that have been very helpful in dating it. Just google "Evette clarinet serial number E-------" and there's a catalog of every Evette produced, the case it came in and its specifications. They are a discontinued line of notable quality and are generally very well like by collectors and players. Evettes Sponsored by Buffet are different from Evette Schaffer (the company). As for "Is it any good?" I'd have to give it a resounding YES. Many clarinetists find that it's comparable to the modern Buffet E11 in both keywork an tone. I find that even the plastic ones have a very rich tone and are very easy to adjust. This also has a lot to do with breath support and control. Granted, instrument quality(and price) varies with the age and condition. If yours hasn't been kept in good repair, you might not have the best results. I suggest taking it in to have it assessed by a professional horn repairer. My Evette was manufactured around 1940 and it plays like new. A tiny bit of trouble keeping pads on the lowest keys due to the age and adherence of the metal to the glue, but beautiful and dark otherwise. Worth wise? They aren't that commonly played any more (Buffet Crampon being preferred). You'll find that eBay lists some pretty shabby ones for but if you fix it up, clean the case and have a good date, it might fetch close to 200 dollars. I hope this helps it really is a very good beginner/intermediate clarinet.

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