 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2010-05-03 16:55
Got a question: I was just shown a clarinet labeled "Buffet International" with serial number 450353. According to the Buffet website, this clarinet was manufactured in 1999 and is made of wood. Is this an E12 clarinet or something different? I'd like to get this instrument overhauled, the bell replaced, and see if I can get it sold to one of two students I know who need to step up from their beginner horns.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2010-05-03 17:03
Sorry. I'm probably thinking of an E-13, right? My intermediate horn was a Leblanc Noblet, so I'm not that familiar with the Buffet intermediate line.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2010-05-03 20:02
Not sure it's an E11
E11 was made by Schreiber in Germany and am pretty sure would not appear on the Buffet France serial number list.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-05-03 21:01
The Internationals I've worked on, and the company I worked for sold, were Schreibers. I could find no difference between them and the E-11.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CocoboloKid
Date: 2010-05-03 21:09
Attachment: BuffetInCase.jpg (94k)
It is indeed an E11, given a buzzwordy model name and stuffed in a snazzy backpack case to justify selling it for more. I've owned a few that I've purchased for students and to have as loaners, and they're identical to the E11, except instead of "E11" on the upper joint, they say "International". On all of the Buffets actually made in France, it says "Made In France" underneath the insignia on the upper joint. The B12, E10, E11 and International say "Made in Germany" on the back near the thumbrest.
Here is a photo of an International that I had for a while; note the inky-black painted wood just like the E11, and the absence of a logo on the lower joint.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sbrodt54
Date: 2010-05-03 23:39
Officially it's an E-12 in a cool case. Yes, I know there was not much difference between the 11 and the 12, they had all the same parts but the 12 was supposed to be made from a slightly denser piece of wood and was more expensive.
The International was marketed to smaller dealers like me (mom and pop) and not to the big boys like WWBW, that way we had access to a Buffet clarinet that the big boys couldn't get. Then we could put a price on it and not have to compete with the heavy discounters.
The only negative about the clarinet would be the glue that held (or didn't in most cases) the corks onto the keys. As I would open up a clarinet to show it, the case would be full of the little leveler corks that fell off. It was a minor inconvenience to glue them all back on but it certainly looked bad to the customer.
Any E11 or 12 parts will fit fine, they all came from Schreiber.
Scott Brodt
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2010-05-04 00:08
What are you talking about?
The Buffet "International" is a "C13", top of the line student clarinet from the German line.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: susieray
Date: 2010-05-04 06:34
Vytas, yes they are the model C13, but I've had several of them and they are identical to the E11 except for the name. They even have the painted on logo that wears off easily like the E11.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2010-05-04 16:02
I suppose they always were, but it seems Buffet has become so tacky and sleazy in every way.
The prices they are charging now are so outrageous as to be beneath contempt! Buffet would fit right in the used car sales biz!
Clarinet Redux
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2010-05-07 17:10
Additional questions:
What would a this clarinet (1999) sell for? It needs a complete cleaning, repadding, etc. and the bell has two cracks in it. I have played it and, even with new pads needed, it IS playable and just needs work. I have a couple of students in mind who I need to get off of their beginner horns but who cannot afford top-of-the-line new horns.
A local music company can do an overhaul for less than $300 and they might be able to replace the bell (cost unknown). How much could this horn go for: as is? Re-conditioned?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-05-07 20:27
>>e prices they are charging now are so outrageous as to be beneath contempt! Buffet would fit right in the used car sales biz!
If the prices are so outrageous, how come they still own the pro horn market? It's only outrageous to those who refuse to pay the cost, and there are plenty of pothers who will buy the instrument if you won't.
Disclaimer: I don't currently play or own a Buffet horn, with the exception of an old Evette Master Model from the late 1960s.
Jeff
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
