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Re: serial number frustration

Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-08-30 15:54

Pictures of your instrument might help date it better by its keywork than any of the existent (and no longer existent) Buffet serial number lists. Even before reworking their site and introducing their most recent serial number list, Buffet never included the B-series E&S models. The serial numbers at their website do not list all the clarinets Buffet ever made. I have been unable to find any clarinet made outside the "main" factory -- i.e., the one where Buffet made professional instruments in France. Also, there don't appear to be serial numbers for cylindrical bore professional instruments that preceded the No1 model. The "Evette" clarinet that comes up when I enter your serial number is almost certainly a K-series clarinet.

Your B-series clarinet probably dates back to the 1940's or early 50's, a time when Buffet is reported to have had financial difficulties. Vytas Krass has provided some disturbingly convincing evidence that B-series Evette & Schaeffer models were actually not made by Buffet at all but, rather, were "stencilled" for Buffet (or, perhaps its US distributor), probably by Malerne. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. (And I still have trouble accepting it! "Say it ain't so, Francois.") Here is the thread:

http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=250698&t=250667

Best regards,
jnk

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