 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary Y
Date: 2002-07-22 22:14
I just read and learned much from the responces to Beth B on Bass Clarinets. Thanks. I just purchase a Buffet Bass Clarinet SN 21XXX and would like any input and info from the group about this instrument. Per the SN it looks to be built in 1936 and the word "Professional" is under the Buffet Crampon Paris Insignia on the body.
Is this a top of the line (for it's day) instrument?
What would be a comparable instrument in today's market?
Assuming like condition, how would it compare to a similar model today?
Any guess on current value? I know condition has a lot to do with value.
Any Info or guesses on original cost?
Gary
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-23 03:15
I think you are may be looking at the wrong serial number list. I'm pretty sure the bass clarinet serial numbers are found under "harmony" clarinets. If I'm right, according to the Boosey list, your clarinet was made sometime between 1966 and 1976. Also, if I'm correct, it would be fairly comparable to a modern Buffet.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-23 04:54
Here's a little more information from Clark Fobes, that I ran across by accident:
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1995/07/000237.txt
According to Clark, the Buffet's labeled "Professional" were step-up models. He apparently doesn't think very highly of them -- unless he is really fond of canines. ;^) (Gary, in case you don't know, Clark Fobes is a clarinet repair tech and mouthpiece maker who is very highly respected in the clarinet community.)
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2002-07-23 16:13
My teacher plays a Buffet bass serial number 21xxx and it is also marked "professional". I guess it was the professionals line models 30 or 40 years ago.
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Author: Gary Y
Date: 2002-07-23 16:46
For those interested, I recd. the following reply from the Buffet person at Boosy.
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In reply to your inquiry, we inform you that your Bass clarinet was
a professional model descending to E flat and was manufactured in 1976 and it is the ancestor of the current BC 1183-2.
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I found the BC1183, described as an R-13, in a catalog but there is no mention of the -2 extension. Anybody know what this is?
Next question. Is there anyone out there that has archived information on instruments? ie. old catalogs, price lists, etc.
It seem this would be a great resource for tracing old instruments and the evolution of models etc. Anybody out there with too much time on there hands???
Regards,
Gary
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-07-23 18:23
I have owned two Buffet bass clarinets in the 21,xxx series (only one at a time, though), with the upper register vent on the neck and "PROFESSIONAL" stamped below the trademark. Both have been outstanding instruments -- in my opinion, superior in tone to the current Buffet basses. I have not found the problems in intonation that Clark Fobes described. I'm not sure why he described this as a step-up instrument. As far as I know, it was Buffet's top of the line model. I've never heard of a step-up Buffet bass, though Leblanc made (and may still make) one, which had only a single register vent, not on the neck.
The current Buffet models are better mechanically, particularly the register key mechanism, which requires frequent attention on the old models.
The going price on eBay is $2,000 to $2,500. As always with a used instrument, you should only buy with a money-back-for-any-reason-or-no-reason guarantee, check carefully for intonation and have it looked at by a good repair shop.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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