Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-03-23 18:08
A 1928 clarinet is likely to have had the bore monkeyed with. I own several old Buffets, and the only ones that have been usable/restorable were put in a closet when new and almost never played.
Therefore, you should NEVER buy one without the right to return it for a full refund for any reason, or for no reason.
Look at the bore to see whether it's shiny all the way down, particularly in the area from the top of the upper joint down to the register tube, and also in the barrel. If it's dull, the bore has been re-reamed, which is a sure sign that the intonation was way out, and probably still is.
Use an electronic tuner, with someone else watching it, to check the intonation very carefully, and particularly whether the chalumeau/clarion relationship is good -- that is, when you play a chalumeau note and press the register key without changing your embouchure, is the clarion note in tune.
Be ready to get a new barrel. Go to someone who has made them for older instruments, since the length and taper will be different from what current instruments require.
Finally, the $1,995 price at Wichita seems high. If it's an exceptional instrument, with great intonation, it would be worth it, but not otherwise.
Ken Shaw
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The Clarinet BBoard
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