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Rejected polycylindrical bore R13 clarinets

Author: Vytas
Date: 2008-03-15 01:47

There are two Buffet models that are actually rejected R-13

1. Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model" (serial number without a prefix)
2. Buffet Crampon "Academy Model" (made after 1955)

Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model"

Mr. Francois Kloc wrote:
"Dear Mark,
The master model was made by the same persons who made the R13 and yes they are R13 with little cosmetic flaws but nothing is wrong acoustically. Musically Yours. Merry Christmas. Francois Kloc Manager of Woodwinds North America Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments Inc".

A lot of posters on this BB have been questioning this Mr. Kloc's statement. Some took advantage of it by selling their E&S MM's as rejected R13's. So, was Mr. Kloc right or there is no such thing as rejected R-13 marked Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model"?

Jack Kissinger wrote:
"It is very unlikely that E&S Master Models were "blemished" R13's either before or after introduction of the polycylindrical model. There are too many of them (AFAIK all of them in the K5000 - K10,000 range) and there are two many clear physical differences".

Dauglas wrote:
"I also especially agree that the Evette & Schaeffers were not rejected R-13s. For that to be, the final clarinet would have had to be tested, rejected, taken apart, E & S trademark put on, and the R.H. sliver key (chromatic B natural/F#) replaced with a totally differently designed key which has end posts placed farther apart"...

Both of these posters above are correct when they talk about the K-series E&S MM's (or E&S MM's made by Malerne). The K-series E&S MM's are NOT rejected R-13s.

The rejected R-13s marked Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model" are very rare but they do exist. Mr. Kloc was right after all but of course these are NOT the K-series E&S MM's. These rejected R-13 do not have any prefix before the serial number and the keywork, wood, bore etc. are identical to the R-13

Here is how to tell the E&S Master Model that was rejected R-13 from the regular Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model"

1. just like R-13 models the rejected E&S Master Models have no prefix before the serial number.
2. has identical (the same) R-13 keywork.
3. It has cut outs in the wood on Lower-Joint under the right-hand pinky keys.
4. "Made in France" appears under the logo in the same location as found on the R-13 models.
5. The serial numbers begins with the #48801 and up.

On the very first polycylindrical rejects (#48801 to around the #50000) the throat A and G# keys share a single post. Starting approximately with the #50000 the throat A and G# keys were mounted on the separate posts.

Note: rejected Pro Buffet clarinets marked Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model" with the serial numbers BELOW #48801 are MASTER BORE professional (so called Pre-R13) clarinets.

I will add pictures later if someone is interested. I own two of these E&S Master Model rejects.

Buffet Crampon "Academy Model"

There is no mystery here. "Academy Model" is rejected R-13. People some times confuse this model with the another "Academy Model" which was made BEFORE the 1955. According to Mr. Moennig these were the bad bore clarinets to (serial numbers 39000 – 41000, made in 1952-1953)

Mr. Francois Kloc wrote:
"The Academy model from Buffet is an R13 that came with a little default (defect) on the stamp or scratch on the key work or something minor that doesn't affect the instrument but was to expensive at this time to fix. Then they came with the Academy model less expensive than the "regular" R13. The item number was R113. They are often great instruments. Today we could change a key or re-plating keys at lesser cost than before."

Buffet Crampon "Academy Model"(made after 1955) is rejected R-13. Actually this is the only one R-13 model that was rejected after the final inspection.

1964 Buffet catalog describes an "Academy Model" as model # R-113. Price for Bb: -$350.
"To fulfill the demand for a fine clarinet at a reasonable price, Buffet, maker of the world's finest clarinets, has created this medium priced instrument. The Academy has the hand tuning, tonal balancing, easy responsiveness, and mechanical perfection that has made Buffet universally recognized as the world's greatest and finest clarinet. It bears the famous BUFFET insignia and carries the regular BUFFET guarantee.
Boehm system, 17 keys, 6 rings. The body is of the finest Grenadilla wood. The drop forged keys are of nickel silver and identical to those used in the Buffet professional clarinets".

Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player

Post Edited (2015-12-20 21:11)

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