 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-16 21:37
Attachment: IMG_2299.JPG (38k)
Attachment: IMG_2301.JPG (31k)
Attachment: IMG_2304.JPG (37k)
Attachment: IMG_2305.JPG (37k)
Attachment: IMG_2310.JPG (45k)
I recently purchased an antique Buffet clarinet, with a fingering pattern I do not recognize. It doesn’t appear to be a Boehm or Albert style? Maybe an outdated Boehm? It was obviously imported by Carl Fisher, I'm guessing early 1900's?
I believe it is a Bb clarinet, and it is made of granadilla wood. Attached are pictures of the lower and upper joints, bell and serial number. Just the two joints connected measure 18.25", like my modern E-11.
Can you help identify the model and approximate year? Thank you!
- Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-16 22:10
Thanks. How did you find that? I went onto the Buffet site, but could not get a ID using either 4A318 or 1A318. - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalakos
Date: 2011-02-16 22:10
That's exactly the model I play, without the upper rings and without rollers on the little finger keys. I have two from 1906, and they are both fantastic players with beautiful tone. We Greek musicians really favor these, although the most popular model is with the two rings on the upper joint and with the rollers on the lower joint little finger keys. I am in the minority in preferring this model.
If you should ever desire to sell it, I would be very interested.
Bottom line, it is a good instrument.
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-16 22:26
Thank you John. Did Buffet give it a model number or designation?
I will certainly keep you in mind if I decide to sell it. - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-02-16 23:01
The system looks very much like a basic Albert to me which generally has no rings for top joint although various additional options were often offered including a Barret type mechanism.
The bottom joint is definately Albert (key cup between RH 1 & 2 rather than above RH 1 as in Boehm.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-16 23:54
Thanks Norman. I've been having a discussion with a repair-tech over re-padding. My choices are a new 'hi-tech' pad, supposedly resistant to moisture, crimping, etc; going with retro-leather, bladder or double skinned.
Any suggestions? The horn will be gently played, not sit on a shelf. - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-02-17 00:51
Roger -
Your clarinet has "simple system" keywork, based on the design of Iwan Müller, with the addition of "spectacles" rings on the lower joint, invented by Adolph Sax.
Eugène Albert added rings on the upper joint, the "patent" F#/C# mechanism and rollers for the left and right little finger keys. These instruments were known as the "Albert system." See http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/ugw/ugwf1j.html. Many people use that name generically to refer to all older non-Boehm clarinets. Albert's system was the basis for the modern Oehler design used in Germany today.
Albert's additions improve intonation and make passages in sharp keys easier, but the playing qualities are similar to what you have.
If you will play the instrument "gently," I think there's no reason to pay extra for fancy pads.
Talk to your repair-tech, but it would be good idea to get the instrument well hydrated before beginning restoration work, since the dimensions will change as the wood absorbs water. Also, a clarinet over 100 years old may need to have oil applied to the wood.
There's a good serial number list at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html.
Good luck and happy playing.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-17 01:22
Thank you for the information Ken. So, as I understand it... I have a 1908 Buffet, with Mueller/Sax keywork. Model designation (if any) not known.
It would be interesting to see a Carl Fischer advertisment from that era, to se how it was marketed.
I will discus the hydration and oiling. I want the clarinet to be brought up to professional standards. So far, it is looking very good! - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-17 02:29
Great photo! The picture is now almost complete:
A Buffet 1908 model #8 with Mueller/Sax keywork. Imported by Carl Fischer of New York. 
I purchased it sight-unseen (based on photos & description only), from a Southern California seller. I'm pleased with the project. I will enjoy the horn when it is finished.
Thank you again for your help. It fills out the character of the horn. - Roger
Post Edited (2011-02-17 03:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-02-17 04:40
I used the names of Müller and Sax to identify the source of the design, but it's not called by that name. It's just "simple system."
For a number of years, including 1908, Carl Fischer had an exclusive license from Buffet to import their instruments into the U.S., which is why the stamp appears on the bell.
Until quite recently, Buffet made only one (professional quality) clarinet model. Thus there was no need to stamp a model name. The standard Buffet R13 clarinet to this day has no stamped model name.
There's been some confusion because in Buffet's English language catalogs, each type of keywork had a catalog number. However, these were not model numbers.
The catalog number R13 was for the standard Boehm keywork. Clarinets with extra keys had higher numbers, which you can find with the search function.
It was only with the introduction of the polycyindrical-bore clarinet at the end of 1954 and the beginning of 1955 that Buffet itself began calling the instrument the R13, which applied to all types of keywork.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-17 05:41
Thank you. I hope to have the horn completed in the next few weeks. I will post a picture of it when it is ready.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-02-17 11:43
maybe someone already mentioned this; your buffet is a basic Albert system of the type known in the UK as "simple system".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-17 14:37
Thanks Chris. Ken mentioned it earlier. I've found in my local area (Oregon) there is a tendancy to call it either a Boehm or an Albert. When I say it is a "simple system" I get : "Right, which one?" - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-22 22:01
Attachment: Buffet 1908 model 8_small.jpg (487k)
Here are a couple of updated photos of the restoration.
It has been cleaned, hydrated, oiled, buffed, the keys polished, re-corked, NOS french mouthpiece and ligature. From back-stock, it is the old "hard rubber" type mouthpiece.
The instrument is only waiting on rooskin leather pads and adjustment. Although the barrel in the photo is from a modern E-11, I was able to locate a vintage barrel for the clarinet. That should be in this week.
Also, I discovered an antique case (with the 'hump' for the bell), and am getting that gutted, cleaned, re-upholstered and leather covered.
This 1908 Buffet will be an enjoyable instrument to hold and play. - Thanks for the help in the ID. - Roger
Post Edited (2011-02-23 17:12)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rs11gps
Date: 2011-02-25 04:22
Thanks Kalakos. Only half of the pads came in today, the rest are on back-order. So, it will be a little longer before I can play it.
In the mean-time, the leather covering for the antique case came in, and it has been re-skinned. Now, just another day to remount the hinges + clasps, and the case will be ready for the clarinet. Soon enough.... - Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalakos
Date: 2011-02-27 22:00
Neat job!!!!!
John
> A couple of shots of the clarinet case getting reskinned, and
> the 1908 Buffet in it:
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
Post Edited (2011-02-27 22:01)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
