 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: M. Brand
Date: 1999-10-28 05:27
I'm curious if anyone knows when the Buffet R13 was first manufactured, who designed it, and what is the starting serial number. Based on the new vintage R13 literature, I'm guessing it was around 1955...However, the serial numbers posted in the "How old..." section have a large gap in that era.
It would be much appreciated if someone can supply the answers, or point me to where I can find them.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-10-28 12:19
According to the Buffet historians (who have sparse records for that time) It was designed in the late 40s/early 50s, and commercially available in 1954. We use the 1955 date because we can just about be certain that a 1955 or later Buffet is a polycylindircal R-13 (the R-13 designation was used for non-polycylindrical clarinets by the importer of Buffets into the US, C. Fisher, before 1955, just to complicate things!)
I've never heard of the serial numnber cut-off; indeed, during 1954, it's conceivable that the clarinets were interspersed (if two machines are running, it might mean that odd numbers were polycylindrical, even numbers not, or something like that. No one at Buffet knows for sure.)
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 1999-10-28 17:52
M Brand --
Mark Charette's post is an excellent summation of the problems you are going to encounter if you seek precise information on the origins of the R13. I still have the 51xxx Buffet which I bought in the 1950s. At that time, the terms "R13" and "polycylindrical" were not generally known. The word was that the new Buffets were different, tighter and better than the older models, and that it had something to do with a new way of boring the upper joint.
If you are looking for an older Buffet it is critical that you play the horn before buying it, or else get some sort of trial period or money back guarantee, because there is considerable variability from one sample to another, especially in the pre R13 Buffets. The old Selmers, whatever their other strong points and weak points may be, were definitely more consistent from sample to sample than the Buffets. Some Selmer partisans would say that in the old days, "Buffet quality control" was an oxymoron.
Ever notice how seldom a Moennig Buffet is available for sale? My hunch is that the Moennigs have been passed from hand to hand like fine old violins, because they were far superior to the typical production line Buffet.
(Although I have no experience with the newer R13s, it is a safe bet that Buffet quality control has much improved, since they are so dominant in the market in the face of strong competition from the other makers of high quality clarinets.)
Lastly, in evaluating the old Buffets, be sure to try the horns with different mouthpieces, reeds, and barrels of different configurations, because this can make a big difference.
Good luck.
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