 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Revbsclark
Date: 2015-11-28 09:03
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Ok, I've discovered through searching that you folks really know your stuff. I, however, do not. My daughter is graduating from high school this year, and joining a university band (as well as pursuing a degree in music education). As such, she needs a step up from her B12.
I found a clarinet that is listed on Craigslist as a Buffet E11, but it has no markings on it. Before I pay several hundred dollars, I need to know. I am meeting the owner to look at it tomorrow, and will look for a serial number, but would love any feedback you can give from seeing the pics of it.
The owner tells me they bought it new in 2005.
Thanks so much for any insight you can give.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-11-28 09:14
I'm not the guy that can tell a clarinet from the pictures like that.
But is there anything preventing you from letting her use the b12 until she speaks with her teacher at the university? Seems to me that'd be a great resource to help her find or select an upgrade. No reason to jump into it now (unless I'm missing something....)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Revbsclark
Date: 2015-11-28 09:31
Not really anything pushing us except for Christmas. This is what she's asking for, and if we're going to have to spend money on a clarinet this year regardless, Christmas max is definitely the best time for us. Two birds, one stone, and all.
She has talked with older friends who are Pat the same university, and they have pointed her towards a Buffet for whatever reason.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-11-28 09:49
>> and they have pointed her towards a Buffet for whatever reason. <<
It's the most popular, but isn't necessarily better or worse than others. It's probably easier to find a decent used one at a good price because it's so common.
The question is whether she can try it before you buy? It could be anything from significantly better than her B12 and in great condition to playing the same or worse than her B12 and needing a lot of repairs. It looks ok in the photos but it's not really possible to know much from those photos.
Post Edited (2015-11-28 11:57)
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-11-28 10:02
I can't be 100% sure that it's an E11, but the keywork does look very much like the keywork on my old E11 A clarinet (especially the left hand pinky keys and the F# sliver key.)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-28 11:28
From what I can tell, it looks like a genuine E11 to me.
The logos were printed on and wore off easily on these clarinets, but it should still have the 6 figure serial number stamped on the back of the lower joint above the thumbrest. If it has a much longer serial number with loads of 0s, then it's a fake and most likely wouldn't be made of wood and wouldn't have silver plated keywork.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2015-11-28 11:46
I'd be willing to bet that's a real E-11.
First, the case is the one that Buffet used for E-11's beginning in the later 90's. It's highly doubtful that someone would replace a case with that style... but it's not impossible.
Second, it appears there are silver-plated keys that need polishing, and E-11's in those cases generally had silver-plated keys.
Third, just as Chris said, the logos easily wear off, so that would explain why you can't see any on the instrument itself.
Fourth, in the 2nd picture, the trill key is shaped as it is on the E-11.
Fifth... I'd give them the benefit of the doubt because the mouthpiece is worn, the ligature is a Rovner, and it looks like a box of Vandoren V-12 reeds in the case. As long as the person selling it to you is the original owner (and it's not stolen), then you should be getting exactly what they're telling you.
If it were me, and I was determined to buy this clarinet, I'd keep in mind the price of an overhaul service and/or repad... just to be sure it's properly aligned and pads seal properly.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-11-28 14:34
My goodness, if at all possible, please have a word with your daughter's future clarinet instructor regarding the selection of an instrument.
It's entirely possible that an E11 won't be considered a proper instrument for a Music Education clarinetist at her chosen school. Your daughter will be expected and perhaps even required to have a professional-level clarinet. The E11 is Buffet's entry-level wooden clarinet and is an intermediate-level instrument at best.
Buying an E11 now without consulting her future instructor(s) could turn out to be a costly mistake--you might have to replace it with something better once her college career begins!
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-11-28 19:20
If she wants to major in music she'll need something better than an E11.
She should consult with her (future) college clarinet professor.
She should also comparison play multiple instruments - then select the best one, in consultation with a college clarinet professor.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Revbsclark
Date: 2015-11-28 21:50
Thank you all so much for your help. I now feel much better about the instrument I'm question being a genuine E11. I will definitely check the serial numbers when I look at it, and I have found a professional saxophone player (a friend) who has agreed to meet with me to look at/play it. He said he will bring his clarinet mouthpiece, so he does have some clarinet experience.
Also, thank you to all who cautioned against getting an instrument without her playing it, her instructor approving it, or it being a professional grade instrument. Unfortunately, if an intermediate level instrument isn't good enough, I will have to cross that bridge further down the road. As much as I would love to get her a nicer instrument, finances simply won't allow it. The good news is that I have spoken with am older student who is in the same program, and she has assured me that it will suffice. She is playing an intermediate level Yamaha, and said the clarinet professor has not asked her to step up, but did require that she get a better mouthpiece. She said he does require that students majoring in performance use higher quality instruments.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-28 22:25
You can always part exchange an intermediate instrument when it comes to buying a pro model - there's no reason to buy a brand new clarinet as there are plenty of excellent used ones out there, so long as they've been professionally overhauled they should play as good (if not better) than a new one, plus they'll be less likely to crack within the first year of playing.
But wait until the middle of spring before buying any other wooden clarinet as the weather will be getting more humid rather than buying a wooden one in winter when the humidity levels are low as that's a contributing factor for wooden instrument splitting.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarimad
Date: 2015-11-29 02:39
I did have an E11 and from memory yours looks to be the genuine article though I am surprised the model is not on the top section. The keywork does look correct as does the case. Hope that helps.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-11-29 03:29
Earlier E11s (as well as B12s) had the logo and model number stamped into the top joint with just the logo stamped into the barrel and bell, but much later ones had the logos printed on the surface so they wore off easily.
Similar thing with Bundy/Buescher clarinets from the '60s and '70s where the logo was a transfer (or decal if you prefer) and they wore out or got scratched off leaving nothing behind.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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