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vintage Pre R13 Buffet clarinet marked with 'O'

Author: pdkbach
Date: 2006-06-14 04:35

Several months ago I purchased a Buffet clarinet on Ebay. It is a pre R13, serial number 289XX. It has an unusual marking on the upper joint, lower joint and bell. The letter 'O' appears below the Buffet oval logo on each of these three sections. On the lower joint, the 'O' inscription appears below the post for the E/B pad cup. The clarinet did not include a barrel. I am familiar with the marking of HP, LP, and of course E11, etc, but have never come across this one. Can anyone tell me what the significance of the 'O' inscription is? The clarinet is in decent shape. It came to me totally disassembled. I have been trying my hand at overhauling, and this was a great challange for me. I finally have had some time to repad and put the instrument back together and I now have it playing. I play tested the horn this evening using my R13 barrel and it did not quite fit this instrument properly. There was a gap of about a quarter of an inch between the barrel and the upper joint. Can anyone tell me where I might find the proper barrel to fit this clarinet? Thanks!

pdk

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Re: vintage Pre R13 Buffet clarinet marked with 'O'

Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2006-06-14 11:22

This may be the answer to your question:

http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=93341&t=93120

If your clarinet is, in fact, an "Opperman," it's existence substantiates Fred's suspicion that Opperman began making his modifications far earlier than the 60's. It might also explain the lack of a barrell. If the seller recognized the barrell as an Opperman, s/he may have sold it separately (his barrels are in demand) or may have kept it (there is probably a reason they are in demand).

While he apparently has only worked on instruments for his students for a number of years (if he's still doing the modifications), perhaps he would be sufficiently interested in seeing one of his early efforts to sell you a barrel. Otherwise, one of the custom barrel makers could likely fit you one.

I think you have a keeper here and, given its condition, I suspect you got it at a very good price.

Best regards,
jnk

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