 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SteveT
Date: 2002-09-21 16:28
I am in the market for a new Buffet Prestige R13 Bb. I had a reputable retailer ship me three instruments for trial. After doing a serial number search at the Boosey Hawkes web site, I found that all three instruments were made in 1998. My question is as follows: Is this old stock or is this manufacturing date typical of what retailers would now be selling as new instruments? I have no experience with these issues, and any responses would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-09-21 18:31
In my opinion it is old stock, however, I haven't heard of any changes in the Prestige R13 since then.
If any of them are great instruments, it might be worth trying to get a discount on them on that basis.
It also might be worth it to call the dealer and ask them why they still have these.
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Author: SteveT
Date: 2002-09-22 16:58
Thanks for the reply. The instruments do not show signs of wear and appear to be in fine condition. I just wondered whether, in the trade, selling instruments made in 1998 as new would be an acceptable practice, or would it be considered to be deceptive? Thanks again.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-09-22 23:11
New, Old stock is more apt in description.
You don't pay retail for a 1999 Chyrsler, do you?
I would not be surprised if these are just fine, just too pricey to sell in the past... which zipcode did they ship from?
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Author: SteveT
Date: 2002-09-22 23:43
Thanks. They were shipped from zip code 28607. I didn't want to name the retailer because I'm sure not that they are doing anything wrong, and, from what I can tell based on the posts on this board, the retailer has an excellent reputation. They are charging me the discounted price that one would generally pay for a new instrument, and it's about the same price that other web retailers (such as Woodwind and Brasswind, which quotes a price of $3,095 for a new Prestige R13 Bb) would charge for a new instrument.
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Author: Charles
Date: 2002-09-23 04:48
A clarinet repairer recently told me that Buffet sometimes ship clarinets that have been on their shelves for up to 6 years. The retailers then get criticised for selling old stock. However, in at least one case, the instrument was of very fine quality and sounded terrific - but the purchaser insisted on getting one with a new serial number.
I gather that the pieces of wood are aged for many years before being machined (but less than they used to) so it could be argued that a further period of ageing in a controlled environment would be an advantage rather than a loss.
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Author: SteveT
Date: 2002-09-23 13:39
Thanks; your response was very helpful and makes sense. The three instruments that were shipped to me are in fine condition, and one of them seems to be a really great horn. I have a friend who just bought a new Buffet Festival Bb from a reputable retailer, and, after checking the serial number at the Boosey Hawkes website, we found that it was manufactured in 1999. So this may not be a problem after all.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-09-23 15:12
When I bought my R-13 in 1996 from a local store, the serial number was recent.
However, when I bought my alto clarinet in 1997, I waited for months and then was shipped the previous model. The dealer claimed, and I think Buffet admitted that they had shipped the old model (why Buffet didn't change the model number is a major mystery).
Another mystery was how Buffet came up with the correct model very quickly after I discovered the problem.
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-09-23 16:06
Thanks for the reply. For you info, I did speak with a representative of the retailer that shipped me the clarinets. She said that they sometimes keep horns in stock for a while and that Buffet sometimes ships them horns that have been in Buffet's stock for a while. In any event, the horns are fully covered by Buffet's new instrument warranty. By the way, if these horns were manufactured four years ago, would the passage of that much time make it less likely that the instruments would develop cracks in the future?
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-09-23 18:16
The Prestige is slow to sell because of its price tag. So, it would not be unusual for a retailer to have some 1998 models around. If you like the instrument and you're getting what you consider a fair price (compared to WWandBW and other discount sellers), don't hesitate to purchase. The retailer should still be offering you a standard one-year warranty and the manufacturer's warranty. I don't see a problem.
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-09-23 18:47
Thanks. One of the horns is very fine, and I am probably going to purchase it. Thanks again for all of the replies.
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