 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2006-01-23 03:30
Recently I have come across and old Buffet R-13. The manufacturing year is 1954. It isn't in the greatest shape but i am getting it overhauled. However the bore is smaller than a couple of more recent(1970-1980's) clarinet that I compared it to. Can anyone tell me anything about this. Good, bad? Thanks in advance.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-01-23 14:43
What's the serial number? The R-13 series began at about 48800, but there were overlaps and prototypes below and above that number. If the instrument was made in 1954, and is an R-13, it's an early one.
Don't let the overhauler touch the bore. Many if not most early R-13s have had the barrel and upper bore widened, which ruins the sound. Instead, you should take it to one of the artist restorers, who can advise you on what it actually needs.
The early R-13s had, in my opinion, the finest tone of any Buffets. However, they had significant intonation problems. This can be helped by a barrel with an inverted cone taper, but the barrel bore has to be different for the early and later instruments.
As you note, the design was revised in the early 1970s, improving the intonation but, to some degree, changing the sound. The outside diameter was also made larger.
The current Buffet Vintage model reproduces the original R-13 design.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2006-01-23 19:46
The serial number is 48661. I will not have the bore messed with. But i was planning on taking it to Tim Clark for an overhaul. Any other suggestions? Thanks
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