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Pre-Boosey Buffets better?

Author: tim k
Date: 2002-08-14 16:07

Wichita Band's web site says that many consider the pre-1981 (pre-Boosey) Buffet clarinets better than the newer ones. Any comments?

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RE: Pre-Boosey Buffets better?

Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-08-14 16:26

Tim -

My impression is that there was a significant dropoff in R-13 consistency in the mid-1980s, serial numbers in the high 200,000s and 300,000s, but that the consistency, and perhaps the overall quality, greatly improved by the mid-1990s, around 400,000, when Francois Kloc began the Platinum Service program for US imports.

Kalmen Opperman has told me that he has found outstanding instruments in current R-13 production.

This doesn't mean that you couldn't find a great instrument from the 250K-400K period -- just that they weren't as common. As always, you play the instrument and evaluate it individually.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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RE: Pre-Boosey Buffets better?

Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-08-19 14:44

I would say there was a period around 81 to 85 where I found some of the workmanship on the R13's to be of question. Then somewhat later they improved again. this was mainly in the are of wood selection and strange cracking. I would not hesitate to add that the recent wood seems to be much better.

I am a big fan of the early 7os and mid 60s buffet R13s because many of them had individual qualities that I like. Freedom of response, flexibility, color of registers. That being siad alot of newer ones I have tested are quite fine as well. some defintely better than others.

I would also not hesitate in admitting that I find all the buffet models offered something of a concern in terms of how the maker expects to make so many designs consistently. I am one of those people who thinks too much choice may cause production line problems---- which are in then carried down to the consumer in terms of poor making and standards. Are pre Boosey clarinets better I would say a thoughtful no.

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