 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mk
Date: 2007-02-08 01:50
Is it true that Buffet clarinet tooling was buried during world war II to hide it during the German occupation of France? I heard this story from an old-timer clarinet guy whom has now passed away. Did anyone hear this story?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-02-08 16:25
I heard that it was destroyed. However the serial number list shows that Buffet continued to make clarinets during WWI and WWII, so it's probably a legend.
Certainly the keywork shapes for the R-13 were less complex than on the earlier instruments. In particular, the finger pads on left little finger keys for low E and F# were more arched on the earlier instruments and curved down in an inverted tear-drop shape.
Kalmen Opperman told me that the keys on older Buffets were filed by hand from solid metal billets, and the carver would stamp an identifying initial on at least one key, usually on the bottom but sometimes inside a pad cup.
I'm sure Buffet keys are no longer filed by hand. I'm not sure whether they're forged in stampers or machine ground to shape.
Ken Shaw
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Author: beejay
Date: 2007-02-08 21:28
Ken,
They are produced in computer controlled stampers, which I have seen for myself.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-02-08 21:51
Thanks beejay.
I assume the keys get some hand finishing, or are the tolerances on the stampers and the wood drilling jigs tight enough that they don't need it?
Ken Shaw
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