 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: xingfan1227
Date: 2008-06-30 23:29
Hi all,
I have a Buffet clarinet with serial number 122995, and the Buffet's web says it's an "N° 1 Sib Amérique". I've seen this before but have never figured out what it is. Could someone please tell me exactly what this means? Is it another variation of R13?
Thanks!
Tianlai
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-06-30 23:37
You have an R13. No. 1 Sib (Bb) Amerique was apparently Buffet's model designation for the instrument when yours was made. The designations in the current serial number list come from the factory records.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-07-01 01:22
122995 was probably made in late 1971 or early 1972. I still have my Bb, number 122251, which dates back to a manufacturing run in 1971.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-07-01 05:46
the "N" indicates Nickel plating.
American pitch (a-440)
I have 148xxx - 1974
I examined a 1973 model for a board member yesterday.
You have a Nickel plated R-13 built in 1971.
Most of the early 70's R-13's are really nice horns.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-07-01 15:55
Paul, while I agree with you that Tianlai's clarinet was made for the "American" market (A=440) and while the clarinet may be nickle plated (and probably is from the era when it was made), the N in this case does not stand for nickle plating.
What actually shows up on the Buffet website (on my computer, anyway) is:
N� 1 Sib Am�rique
The two ?s in a diamond indicate symbols that are not interpretable either in my computer's screen font set or the font set used to set up the original database. (I'm inclined to suspect the latter.) I think the first one represents some kind of o, probably with an accent mark. The second an accented e.
In the following old message to the Klarinet list, Francois Kloc, at that time, Manager of Woodwind North America for Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments Inc. (who then owned Buffet) discussed the No1 (or NO1 or No. 1. He typed it in differently at different times.)
http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/Klarinet/1999/12/000910.txt
He writes, "Robert Caree designed the Polycylindrical concept around 1950 then Buffet made what they called the No1 which was a pre R13 with this new bore design and was pitched at 440. The R13 production using R13 name started in 1955. So I can tell you with almost full insurance that your instrument is a Polycylindrical clarinet N01 which I would compare with the early R13. I hope this help and that it's sound clear to you."
Francois notes that "The R13 production using R13 name started in 1955." The model designation system used in the factory, however, appears to have taken longer to adapt.
The earliest professional Buffet I can find in the current serial number database dates from 1958 -- making it an R13. Its designation is:
Instrument : N� 1 Sib 440 GL
Serial number : 58835
Year of manufacturing : 28/11/1958
However, as late as February, 1974, the N� 1 designation was still in use. The last instrument I could find with that designation was:
Instrument : N� 1 Sib Am�rique
Serial number : 145104
Year of manufacturing : 21/02/1974
By March 20, that year, R 13 was being used:
Instrument : R 13
Serial number : 145350
Year of manufacturing : 20/03/1974
The gap in these serial numbers is because, during the intervening time, Buffet was manufactured other professional models (S1 and BC20).
An instrument made a little later in 1974 is designated R13 Am�rique. And for awhile, these two designations are interspersed in the list. I suspect that during this period, R13 alone probably designates clarinets made for the European market.
Best regards,
jnk
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