 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-18 20:15
I've just had an enquiry about a Buffet full Boehm, serial number F690xx, and want to know if this is perhaps an R13 or pre-R13 era (I'm not all that clued up on older Buffets, being a Selmer fan).
I assume it's probably from the late '50s/early '60s, though the serial number search on Buffet's site is pretty useless - but just putting the number in without the 'F' prefix says 1961.
Any info will be much appreciated.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-04-18 20:24
I don't know anything about the serial numbers, but perhaps the "f" is for "full"?
- Martin
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-04-18 20:31
An F preceeding the serial number indicates a clarinet made for the European market (France?) at A= 442
Aside from the shorter barrel, I think that the F serial instruments usually have the register key placed a bit higher...GBK
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2008-04-19 09:17
There's quite a long thread on the subject here:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=51235&t=51135
"Buffet started marketing the polycylindrical R13 in 1955. Robert Carree's new design included a combination of polycylindrical bore and undercut tone holes. Buffet did not adopt the R-13 designation until 1955.
Buffet catalogs from 1941 –1950 show that the R-13, R-13 1/2, R-14, R-14 1/2, R-16, and the R-16 3/4 were intended as the professional models."
Steve - Full Boehm F125XXX - and too bloody heavy!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-19 11:18
I'm going to try it tomorrow, so I'll let you know what it's like.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2008-04-19 11:40
Do they also have smaller bells than a 440 pitched ?
The really old Buffet have shorter barrels and bells, i'm curious if the newer ones are like that too
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-04-19 15:28
I think it's already established that this is an R13 from 1961 but what instrument model designation did the Buffet site return when you entered the serial number (I don't have time to try 100 different ones).
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-04-19 15:58
Chris,
my 1961 "1/2 Boehm" (no low Eb) has S/N F64383. It was sold as a model R16-1/2 in the catalog along with the R13.
The intonation "varies" Not hard to get it to A440, but its scale is not even.
Please do let us know what you think of your sample.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-19 16:49
Jack, this is what Buffet's search concluded (with just the entire number and no prefix):
Brand : Buffet Crampon
Instrument : N� 2 BN Sib
Serial number : 690xx
Year of manufacturing : 11/06/1961
Using this page http://www.buffet-crampon.com/en/instruments.php
I'll take a tuner with me tomorrow when I go to try it out to see how even the scale is.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2008-04-19 16:50)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-04-21 12:18
I ended up buying this clarinet as I thought it was too good an opportunity to pass on at the price it was on offer for. The tuning is pretty good (65.2mm barrel) though it will need a thorough rebuild to get it back into top form.
The top joint has split at the front (down to the throat A tonehole) and at the back (to the thumb bush) though it has been pinned previously and no signs of movement since (but will need some tidying up as it's been buffed with rouge!). The keys are nickel plated and has the single mounted LH E/B and F#/C# levers (with the Ab/Eb on a seperate set of pillars).
I might have it all silver plated.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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