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New and old Buffet

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-01-22 05:55

Hello

I have a couple of questions about Buffet clarinets.

1. Has anyone heard of a model called Buffet Sheffield? A local player said his teacher recommended this model, but it is not known or sold in our country and he wanted to see if anyone heard of it. I don't see it on Buffet's website either, but I know Buffet made a model for an American music store so maybe the Sheffield model is the same? Google didn't help here which made me a little suspicious...

2. A friend of mine bought a clarinet because he thought he had a good deal and he brought it so I try it - it is a Buffet from 1937 (according to the serial number list). It is wood, Boehm system, two piece body - basically like a regular new Boehm system, but old. I tried searching the forum but didn't came up with much (I found more on specific models like full Boehm, one piece body, etc). Anyone has any info on this clarinet? Did they make more than one model at the time? It is mostly playable now (can be better) but other than a stuffy throat Bb (I didn't yet check intonation thoroughly) it sounded very nice.

Thanks!

Nitai

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Re: New and old Buffet

Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-01-22 11:25

My best Bb clarinet is a 1937 Buffet. It has standard Boehm system keywork. The keys are forged, not cast, and appear to me to be solid nickel, not plated. There's no model name on the clarinet, just the company logo.

This clarinet had been in storage and unplayed for many years when I bought it. It needed replacement pads and corks and several new springs. Otherwise, though, it was in good condition, without cracks or other damage. It's tuned to a=440, which would make it a bit flat for some modern bands and orchestras that tune to a=442 or even higher, but for groups that tune to the "official" pitch of a=440 in the USA, it's an excellent clarinet that plays in tune with itself and has no special problems. One thing I've noticed is that it plays best with an old mouthpiece that's a little bit shorter than modern mouthpieces. I've noticed the same thing with other old clarinets (and it's even more of a consideration with old saxophones). The ratio of mouthpiece length to barrel and section length has changed over time and you may have to do some experimenting to find the mouthpiece that plays in tune.

I saved the original Buffet case but I'm not using it with the instrument, because that case is too cramped and doesn't have enough padding. At a flea market, I fished an empty King clarinet case out of a dumpster. The King case (I'm guessing it's from the 1960s) was roomy and solidly made (wood), but filthy, so I gutted it, cleaned it, replaced the broken handle and re-lined it with all new padding and fabric for the Buffet.

Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.

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