 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2003-05-28 03:06
I have located a Buffet with a "donut" ring/key on the upper (LH) joint and a wrap-around register key. The serial number is in the 22,000 (1937) series. I have a 21,000 (1936) series Buffet that is a standard Boehm in every way. I note also that Selmer continued to offer "modified Albert system" instruments into their L series (mid- to late 1930's). What was up with Buffet continuing to manufacture the older version keywork? Anyone know the story?
Bill.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2003-05-28 03:12
Apologies--the seller states that only the *lower* joint bears the 22,000 serial number. The upper (LH) joint (with the antique key system) does not have the 22,000 serial number. This could be a much older instrument after all--apologies again for the misunderstanding.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-05-28 04:34
For the record: the Boehm Clarinet is older than the Albert.
Regards,
John
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-05-28 05:01
Bill,
A Buffet with a "donut" ring/key on the upper (LH) joint and a wrap-around register key should have serial number WITH a LETTER in it (something like that 555L1) and the serial number would appear on the Lower-Joint only. Donut key instruments are older that 1936. They appeared around 1917.
I think you've located mismatched instrument.
Does your 21xxx series Buffet have serial number on both joints? I guess it does.
Vytas
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-05-28 05:26
Some people still play on the "donut" key instruments but I'm not one of them except that I own a Japanese-made Eb full Boehm clarinet with a donut key. The donut key or the 7-ring model are not what I like to play or to adjust as the bare wood feels better and the adjustment seems to take forever.
Unless you are a collector, I would not consider a donut key instrument. Good luck!
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Author: Mark P
Date: 2003-05-28 13:23
Just a correction on the appearence of the doughnut ring key, I have three full Buffet Boems (A & Bb) that date from 1902 with this feature. One of my clarinet teachers had a set of Buffet full Boehms from 1907 with the now normal arrangement for the extra ring.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-28 13:51
Bill -
I'm sure Buffet had stopped making the doughnut key by S/N 22,000. You have a "mixed" instrument, with the upper joint dating from near the turn of the century. The serial numbers on these older instrumets were small and lightly stamped. Dip an old toothbrush in water and scrub the back of the upper joint at the bottom, or perhaps the top (placement varied), and you should find the serial number for the upper joint. As Vytas says, it will almost certainly have a letter in it. Then check it on the Buffet serial number list at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html .
The doughnut key was problematic. See http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=42518&t=42410 .
Mixed instruments are seldom usable, but you never know. Check the intonation very carefully before buying.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bill
Date: 2003-05-28 14:16
Thanks! This is actually an eBay horn that I'm not considering buying. I thought it was interesting only until I realized it has mixed serial numbers. I do think it's interesting that older (or "less often used") keywork was offered by the major manufacturers as late in the century as it was. When I had it, I remember holding Selmer L6911 (a "modified Albert") in my hands and thinking "what an old horn!" It was thin-walled with a very "laquered" appearance and the swan's neck register key, similar to my c. 1915 Hawkes & Son clarinet. By comparison, L286 looks a lot more like a new clarinet.
Bill.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-05-28 16:40
Mark,
I was quite sure the donut ring key appeared earlier, dating from near the turn of the century but had no data to back it up. I own 1916 Buffet which has wrap around register key but no donut ring key. My 1917-18 Buffet has both wrap-around register key and the donut ring key. It was just logical assumption.
Vytas
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2003-05-29 01:10
I have seen a donut ring on the second hole of a wooden Buffet from --- I think --- the early 1930s. I think that some of the early Buffets did not have serial numbers on both joints.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-05-29 03:21
Jim,
You're right. Pro Buffets that contain a letter in the serial number (up to 1928) appear on the Lower-Joint only.
Vytas
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2003-05-29 18:49
So.....would someone explan the purpose of this "donut" key? Thanks...
John
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