 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Melissa
Date: 1999-03-17 23:38
I just bought a a Buffet Eb alto that my husband found in a pawn shop while looking for a bass clarinet. The price seemed right for a Buffet, the wood is in beautiful condition, pads seem decent, and I think the keys should polish up nicely.
I've checked several online catalogs and database, but haven't learned much. There's no model number on the alto
like my Bb, but it does say 'Professional' below the logo on the top joint. Is there more than one model of Buffet pro alto? Are the serial numbers for Bb and alto intermingled? If so, this is about a 1981 model. The keys are rather worn, but I suppose if it had seen heavy use, it could wear that much in 18 years.
Any tips for switching to alto? I'd like to continue to play both. Is that an unreasonable hope?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-03-17 23:49
Melissa wrote:
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Are the serial numbers for Bb and alto intermingled? If so, this is about a 1981 model.
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No - the alto would be listed under "Harmony" clarinets .
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 1999-03-18 20:56
I think that the Buffet Alto clarinet was the same for many years until they instroduced a new model around 1995. I played one from the 50s (I think) that was virtually the same in appearance as one from just before the new model was introduced.
The new model is better in every way except one. They eliminated the use of the alternate register key for the lowest notes of the clarion and the middle of the staff B suffers as a result.
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Author: Melissa
Date: 1999-03-19 00:02
That would make it a 1967 model. Given the condition of the keys, that sounds right. Now I'm even more pleased with the overall condition!
I finally found reeds tonight, so we can give it a try. No one locally has mouthpieces, so I'll have to rush off an order tonight. It has the original mouthpiece, and I don't expect much from it.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 1999-03-19 20:47
I have two Vandoren B44s which I think are pretty good. There was a Woodwind Co (Leblanc) #5 on an instrument I tried once that I also thought was nearly as good as the Vandoren, but it is cheaper.
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