 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jinitude
Date: 2005-07-14 09:40
Attachment: Clarinet1.jpg (177k)
Attachment: clarinet3.jpg (340k)
Attachment: clarinet4.jpg (247k)
Attachment: clarinet 6.jpg (180k)
Attachment: clarinet 1.jpg (354k)
I am trying to figure out what model Buffet Clarinet I have. I put in the serial number on the Buffet website 203141 (the serial number actually starts with an "A" but if I put the "A" the serial number does not come up that way. The website says it is a Professional model, made in 1980. The markings on the clarinet says Evette Schaffer Academy, Buffet Crampon, and under the serial number it says Made In Germany. Now... I think this is a silver plated R-13, but I am unsure as there is not a model number. Any help would be appreciated.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2005-07-14 10:44
R13's are never made in Germany - only in France. And R13's are never marked Evette Schaffer. So no, it's not an R13.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-07-14 14:21
The other clues are in pictures 3 and 4.
The R-13 has tabs on the end of the upper joint bridge key, which are not there in picture 3.
The R-13 also has no ramp at the top of the lower joint bridge key, which this instrument shows in picture 4.
Finally, as shown in picture 4, the sliver key for the right ring finger projects straight out from the key tube, as does the pad strut. On the R-13, both of these have a curved "swoop" shape and are soldered along almost the entire length of the central tube.
Ken Shaw
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Author: WorldIRC
Date: 2005-07-14 16:47
Like mentioned above, you unfortunately not have an R13...R13s for starters are all made in France...also, R13s I believe, do not actually have the model name on them; just the Buffet Crampon logo
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-07-14 19:24
If, as I suspect, you have already done a search of previous threads on this board about the Buffet "Academy" model, you have probably been misled. Buffet has used this model name at several different times in its history but, in each case, the use has been different. The earliest I am aware of was 1952. During this time, according to Alvin Swiney who apprenticed with Hans Moennig, a highly respected repair technician, when Buffet was experimenting with a new bore design, they produced a number of professional ("R13") instruments that were so badly out of tune with themselves (serial numbers 39000 - 41000), Moennig refused to sell them. Eventually, according to Swiney, Buffet took the ones they hadn't sold, stamped them "Academy" and sold them as student instruments until the supply was depleted. Presumably, these would have the traditional Buffet logo with the word "Academy" added. They were made in France at Buffet's main factory.
The second incarnation of the model came in the 1960's when, according to Francois Kloc, Buffet's woodwind product specialist in the U.S. for several years now, Buffet used the model designation for R13's that had slight cosmetic blemishes that did not affect their playing capabilities. These instruments were designated R113 and sold at a reduced price. There are not, presumably very many of these. They would also have the standard Buffet logo with the word "Academy" added. Their serial numbers are intermingled with R13's of the same period and have no special prefix. There was an earlier thread on one of these with a serial number in the 80000's if memory serves. I haven't seen any definitive information about these instruments but I suspect these "Academy" models only occurred in the 1960's. They were made in France in Buffet's main factory.
You instrument represents yet another incarnation. Besides differences in design, there is a basic difference in the logo. Yours is not the traditional Buffet logo, nor is it the traditional logo for the french-made Evette & Schaeffer that eventually evolved into the current E13. Instead, it appears to have been designed specifically for this instrument. I can speculate on what you have but, as David S. is fond of saying, you should take this with a grain of salt. The keywork on your instrument looks identical to that on my 1987 E11. I think you either have a transition model between the German made Evette that first appeared around 1978 and the E11/E12 first marketed, sometime in the early 80's. It's hard to tell from your picture but it looks as though your keys may indeed be silver plated. If so, an alternative explanation might be that your instrument is contemporary with the early E11's and E12's but considered a slightly higher-end student model. (Now, because of German law, all E11's are silver plated but, for at least part of the 1980's, this was not true. My 1987 E11 is nickle plated.)
I suspect (again speculation) that the serial number is intermingled with German Evette and E11 serial numbers, which would place the date of manufacture at 1980. The "A" may have been added to identify the instrument further as an "Academy" model.
In any case, I agree with the above posters that your instrument is not an R13. As they have noted, Buffet makes (and has always made) all of its professional instruments in France. Student instruments are made in Germany. I don't know whether the case is original or (as I suspect) is a replacement. Regardless, it is a student case and looks like Buffet cases that I have seen as original for both B12's and E11's in the past. IMO, you should change your e-Bay description to drop your claim that the instrument is an R13 professional instrument. Your starting bid may be too high to generate any action but it's well below the going price for used E11's in good condition. If, however, someone pays a premium price for the instrument thinking they have a "rejected" R13, they are likely to be unhappy with the deal and your claim that this is a professional Buffet could be a deal-breaker for anyone unhappy with their purchase.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-07-14 21:13
In addition, the finish on the wood doesn't look too good to me. Whazzup with the eBay thing?
Bob Draznik
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Author: jinitude
Date: 2005-07-15 07:16
As now I know that I made an incorrect assumption...I"m just a tuba player...and I was going off the website stating that I had a Professional clarinet, I have revised my ebay listing title. Thank you all for your help. Any further guidance is greatly appreciated!!!
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-07-15 09:02
"The markings on the clarinet says Evette Schaffer Academy, Buffet Crampon, and under the serial number it says Made In Germany."
This gives it away pretty easily. If it says Academy then that's the model (I think). Also R13s are made only in France I think.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-07-15 12:05
What a perceptive handle, Mark/GBK!
Bob Draznik
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