 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-28 19:39
I just put a bid in today at a local auction on a very old Buffet clarinet. Now, I usually deal in Albert clarinets, and this one is a Boehm, so its not THAT old.
Anyway, this one was strange:
The logo said "Buffet" above and "Paris" below, in a circle, in the middle was "A", this was on both sections.
Its a Bb clarinet, NO serial numbers anywhere, and the instrument has seen little use so I don't think the numbers were worn away, which sometimes happens.
The G# and A key each have their own post.
The G# key has a needle spring.
There's a flat spring under one of the right hand pinky keys on the bottom section.
The case is the old style kind where you break the clarinet down in two and put those sections in together.
Any idea of date? Obviously pre R13 but the lack of serial number is strange as is the needle spring on the G# , didn't they switch over to that later in the game?
thanks!
mark
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-28 19:44
I forgot to add, the register key was straight. I can't remember if the G# had the adjustment screw or not.....
mark
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-10-28 22:13
It was the throat A that had the flat spring, not the G# key. The right hand low F# key also had a flat spring.
Lack of a serial number is certainly unusual. I've heard of stolen clarinets where the serial number was buffed off to make the instrument unidentifiable. Check to see if the serial number area (on the back at the bottom of the upper joint) is flattened.
The R13 was introduced at the very end of 1954 or early 1955. Buffet made a number of prototype/transitional clarinets during the run-up to the introduction of the R13, and this may be one of them. It's possible that they were not numbered because they were not made in the usual course.
I've seen a couple of Buffets without serial numbers. The owner of one of them (which had the standard R13 keywork) said he had gotten it at the factory during that period. It's possible that he picked it out before a serial number was put on and took it away without one.
Ken Shaw
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-28 22:34
I looked really closely at the spots where the serial number usually shows up on old clarinets, especially the bottom of each keyed joint. i saw no evidence that there was ever a number and no sigs of buffing.
One thing I didn't point out that I think might be key here is this: the logo says "Buffet", but NO mention of Crampon OR Auguste.
I've seen a quite a bit of talk here of Buffet Crampon pre- and post- R13 and also some talk of the older "Auguste Buffet" branded instruments, but this one certainly bears no mention of either. Just the "Buffet" above "Paris" below in a circle with the "A" in the middle (and a star I believe).
any more info would be great, what the heck is the history of this one?
mark
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-10-29 08:44
If I'm not mistaken, during the time that Carl Fischer was the exclusive importer of Buffets for the USA market, a resident of the USA could not obtain a clarinet direct from Buffet in France with a serial number. Perhaps this is one of the "gray market" instruments of that time.
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-29 14:29
But its still would say "Crampon" on the instrument if this were the case. The absence of this word is curious, and no mention of the "other" Buffet, Auguste.
Anyone?
mark
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-10-30 16:41
Auguste Buffet usually used his full name in his mark - "AUGUST BUFFET PARIS".
Is the mark on your horn in a circle or an oval? "BUFFET A PARIS" with a star was a mark supposed to belong to Jean Louis Buffet of Buffet-Crampton; but I have no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding its use.
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-30 20:16
It is Buffet A Paris in the circle. So pre-Crampon maybe? Strange the straight register key though!
mark
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-10-30 23:38
Ah! I am picking the clarinet, at which point I will post photos. This is very interesting, it could be a pre-Crampon Buffet? Pretty neat!
mark
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2011-10-31 21:42
Look at the logos. Is there a lyre above and a five pointed star (with no lines bisecting the angles of the points) below? Is the BUFFET in caps at the top of the oval and PARIS at the bottom of the oval?
If so, I have two Alberts like this. I also have been curious about the history. The best clarinet of ALL the clarinets I own or have ever owned (all Alberts by the way) is my C with this marking. I recently bought a Bb with the same marking. Both of them have no serial numbers, ebonite bells, and wrap around register keys. I have found that the marking with the lyre above the oval and a five pointed star below (with lines bisecting the points of the star that meet in the center of the star) existed on some very antique Buffet clarinets in museums. I have a friend who collects all kinds of Buffets in Albert system (and other brands as well), and he is also curious about the origin of my clarinets.
In any case, both of my clarinets are super, but the C is superior in all respects.
I hope you play your clarinet with health and joy!
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-11-01 01:25
John, yes its BUFFET in all caps with Paris below, like the ones you have.
I wish this was an Albert, those are my dear favorite instruments.
But I will refurbish this one and pass it on to the next person.
I'm even more curious now about the history of these clarinets, I'll post some pics soon.
mark
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