 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2008-11-09 01:38
same answer as on the other thread - look up the serial # on buffet's site to find the manufacturing date (edit) but it won't return an accurate answer. google 'buffet clarinet serial numbers' match it up against the many lists you'll see posted on the web (end edit)
and no, it is NOT an r13.
is predates R13's, it has a common post for the top joint A/G# keys
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
Post Edited (2008-11-09 01:41)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-11-09 01:54
This site has a table that matches serial numbers with manufacturing dates. http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html. Buffet lost the manufacturing dates for serial numbers 2800 (end of 1945) to 58335 (beginning of 1958). However, production was about 3,000 per year, so your instrument dates from around 1950, before the introduction of the R-13. This is confirmed by the key design, which has the bottom of the throat Ab key and the right end of the throat A key mounted on a single post. Also, the key guide for the two upper trill keys is a flat piece of metal with a triangular shape to the parts that stick up. Both of these are a sure indicator of a pre-R-13 instrument.
The switch to the polycylindrical R-13 occurred in late 1954 or early 1955. The closest serial numbers I've found are 48707 (1954), pre-R-13, and 48830 (1955), R-13.
However, I don't think you got cheated. Most of the the great players played Buffet even before the introduction of the R-13, and yours could be excellent. Also, $800 was a decent price.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2008-11-09 02:05
Attachment: R13 Old A-Flat E-Flat Key.jpg (42k)
Attachment: R13 New A-Flat E-Flat Key.jpg (52k)
Very interesting and I appreciate it. This instrument (the older one) seems to have worse intonation than my newer instrument (the R13). The older instrument has the vertical key rods for tone holes 1 through 6 set much closer to the surface of the instrument, making the older instrument feel lighter and more "flute-like".
The newer R13 (from the other post) has an A-flat/E-flat right-hand key that is noticeably shorter which I find pretty annoying 'cause my right pinky finger will slip off of it once in a while during a fast technical passage. I wish that the new A-flat/E-flat key was the same as the older instrument. Shouldn't it be the same length as the C key?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-11-09 03:54
Is there a dichotomy or something for determining the make, model, and year of clarinets based on key design? Maybe even from one particular maker. Failing that, are any of you willing to share your knowledge with some general tips?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-11-09 16:43
Johnny -
Lengthening the Ab/Eb key is simple and probably not terribly expensive. Key repair and alteration is a standard subject taught in instrument repair courses.
It's not very common on clarinet, but quite common on other instruments. At least half of the horn players have valve levers with dimes soldered to them, and many flutists (Jeanne Baxtresser, former NY Philharmonic principal, for example) have the left and ring and little finger keys lengthened.
In NYC, Susan Eberenz, who did the Baxtresser work, is excellent with key alterations, and Perry Ritter also is known for clarinet keywork (though I haven't seen anything he's done).
Tuning can be difficult, particularly with older Buffets. The wood of your instrument looks quite dried out, and a treatment could restore it. Larry Naylor http://www.naylors-woodwind-repair.com/ specializes in this work, and people have had good things about Murry Backun's repair and tuning work http://www.backunmusical.com/repairs.html.
However, some clarinets can't be brought in tune, usually because the bore has been altered in prior futile attempts. It's best to send your instrument to a specialist who can evaluate it and let you know what can be done.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2008-11-10 00:04
fwiw, i have a 1950 model which john butler restored. major problems - massive cracks, needed replating, etc. john fixed it up nicely. its presently on long term loan to a student ; it plays very, very well - very few intonation issues.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
