 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: selmerfudd1
Date: 2003-08-06 17:05
Ive recently accuired a clarinet with AUGUSTE BUFFET on the barrel,top joint,
and bell.Can anyone give me any info on how to determine a date and approx. range of value?There are no serial numbers located on the instrument anywhere.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-08-06 19:05
A Search under "Auguste Buffet" may turn up the info you wish. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-06 19:54
I have an Auguste Buffet clarinet (also marked 'distributed by Frank Holton and Co." or something to that effect), as yet unrestored --- based on its design characteristics I'd date it 1920s or early 1930s vintage. Value would be tough to guess --- put it up for sale on eBay and find out!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim lande
Date: 2003-08-07 02:57
They were sold as student models in the the 1920s. The value today probably is around $50. Unless you can fool someone into thinking it had some connection with Buffet Crampon.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-07 15:51
My Auguste Buffet doesn't appear to have been a student model -- it has some features such as the articulated G# and auxiliary vent key under the l.h. 'sliver' key which are generally only seen on advanced clarinets.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-08-07 22:14
David,
I am not sure but it could be an old Buffet pro model.
The Buffet logo of today first appeared in 1844.
Louis Auguste Buffet (Sound familiar?) collaborated with Hyacinthe Klose (Another name we all know.) to adapt the Boehm system to the clarinet in 1839. So, your clarinet could have been built between 1839 and 1844 using (quite possibly) an older logo.
Regards
Mark
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-08 13:20
Mark,
My Auguste Buffet is a modern-design, low-pitch Boehm clarinet --- based on some of the mechanical characteristics I'd say it's no older than 1925 or more likely 1930 (besides, Frank Holton wasn't even around in the early 1830s, so he couldn't have been the US distributor for the clarinet). If I can persuade my idiot computer here to accept serial port inputs maybe I'll take a few low-rent digital photos of the clarinet and post 'em up somewhere.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-08-08 16:20
I use to own Auguste Buffet from 1900's. All futures were very similar to Pro Buffet Crampon from that period. IMO it was a Pro instrument. There was no distributor mark on it.
Vytas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: selmerfudd1
Date: 2003-08-08 19:54
Thanks Vytas.....your right about the quality....it looks like and has similar key work to early R-13 `s.After i restore it ill let you know how it plays if i can.
Bob
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-08-11 14:17
I was slightly wrong about my Auguste Buffet --- it doesn't have an articulated G#, but it does have the seventh ring as well as the small auxiliary vent under the l.h. sliver key. I don't have a place to post photos but if anyone really cares I can email you some pix.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-08-11 14:27
David Spiegelthal wrote:
> I
> don't have a place to post photos but if anyone really cares I
> can email you some pix.
You can post them here ...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim lande
Date: 2003-08-12 00:49
From the excellent pic, I can see that it doesn't have an adjustment screw on the G# in the throat. However, I have a Buffet Crampon from that period that doesn't, either.
I have two pages from a Holton catalog from 1932.
"The Holton-Buffet, Wood Clarinet
The product of the research of Holton in America and Buffet in France, the Holton Buffet clarinets establish a new standard in woodwinds, and for the clarinetist who prefers a wood instrument, here is a clarinet that will exceed his expectations for flexibility and ease of playing. A rich luxuriant, vibrant tone of woody quality, delighting both player and hearer. Beautifully tuned and with the lay of the keys to take the natural fall of the fingers, there seems to be no newness when you first try the instrument, and conbined with marvelous playing qualities, hardly anything is left to be desired.
<smaller print> Made in France by the house of August Buffet, imported direct by Frank Holton & Co., every Holton-Buffet clarinet is carefully adjusted, tested and tuned before shipment to a customer.
No. 222 Holton Buffet Bb Clarinet, Boehm Syustem, 17 keys, 6 rings, selected grenadilla wood, drop forge nickel silver keys, length 26 inches; bell 3 1/4 inches, weight 1 5/8 Lbs. Complete in French style case $100. "
Could they write copy or what!
At that time student grade clarinets sold for $40 to $60. Most pro metal clarinets sold for $125 and up. $100 would put in in the price range of a Boston Wonder (Bettoney), Columbia (Bettoney), Cleveland (H.N. White), or Bundy (Selmer) -- the second tier of metal clarinets. Selmer top of the line wood clarinets started at $130 and the metal ones were a bit more. However, The Pedler professional also was priced at $100 (compared with the top metal starting at $125 and going above $200 depending on keywork and features.)
So, based on price, one expects that it was a lot better than a student model, but not necessarily classed with the top pro instruments. I guess that is Dave's assessment from playing one, too.
It makes it hard to peg a value. It may play as well as a much more expensive name brand. However, it is not a brand that folks appear to be looking for.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: selmerfudd1
Date: 2003-08-12 17:33
Jim,
Thanks for the info......think ill restore it and see how she plays....who knows it might be half way decent as a backup horn
Thanks again
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jweldon
Date: 2004-10-02 03:05
I just uncovered an Auguste Buffet clarinet in my family with serial #222. It says nothing, however, regarding 'distributed by Frank Holton and Co.' It does have the same logo as the pictures showed in an earlier e-mail. I have been trying to find info about the August Buffet clarinets and came across your e-mail. Is there more than one line of 'Auguste Buffet' or could mine be the one described in your catalog. How do I determine it's value?
Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-10-02 21:01
vytas, how did you get such excellent pictures? Wish I could.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim lande
Date: 2004-10-03 02:19
My impression is that all makers made many models. Some differences may have been little more than adjustments reflecting a change in suppliers for pre-made keys or key parts. Clearly there were some ways to cut corners when constructing keys and the best instruments typically had better constructed key work. The biggest differences resulted from the skill of the craftsman. The best craftsmen made the top instruments. The only way to know the quality of your horn is to have it restored by a top quality tech and have it played by a professional.
While many players are willing to buy, restore and play vintage instruments, they tend to stick with a few brands that were more common and that are still recognized today. Thus, even if it plays well once restored, it may not be worth a whole lot more than the cost of restoring. It. I have not been watching eBay prices for for wooden clarinets, but I doubt these are fetching more than $100. Maybe half that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-10-03 03:17
.....but I doubt these are fetching more than $100. Maybe half that.
I've sold mine for $350.00
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2004-10-04 04:29
I don't recall ever hearing before of "Auguste Buffet" as someone's student model, though it's possible. The Auguste Buffet clarinets I have seen on eBay over the years have always appeared to me to be very old professional instruments - more like turn-of the century (or older) than the 1920's. I think the post from Mark Charette on the thread at this link:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=576&t=318
is relevant. I'm surprised no one has referenced it.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2004-10-04 13:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
