 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rick77
Date: 2011-10-24 18:29
I just received a Buffet R-13 that I bought on eBay. I opened the box and examined the clarinet and there are matching serial numbers on the upper and lower joints and Buffet Crampon logos on the upper and lower joints but nowhere on the upper and lower joints does an R-13 stamp appear. The barrel and bell have the R-13 stamps.
The seller says that he bought this clarinet new in 1999. I'm confused about this and wondering if I have been had. Should a 12 year old R-13 have the R-13 stamp on the upper and lower joints?
All of the other R-13's I saw on eBay appeared to have an R-13 stamp on the upper and lower joints. There is a laminated I.D. card in the case that says the follwing:
Platinum Service Boosey & Hawkes better by design
BC1131-5 ser. #452XXX
The Buffet Crampon logo appears to the right with the following text under it:
This card identifies your clarinet as having been handcrafted at the Buffet Crampon workshop in France. Fine adjustment & set up was perfotmed in the U.S. to my strict standards immediately prior to shipping to your authorized retailer.
Francois Kloc
woodwind specialist
Nowhere on this I.D. card is the clarinet referred to as being a Buffet R-13. The card does have the exact serial number that appears on the upper and lower joints of the clarinet.
The clarinet seems to be nicer than my E-11 as far as the key work goes but I'm kind of in panic mode right now since there is no R-13 stamp on this horn.
Any helpful info greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Post Edited (2011-10-24 18:49)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-24 18:39
It's been a while since I've examined one but I don't recall the R13's having the model name stamped on the joints unless it was one of the special models (prestige, greenline, etc.) I would suggest checking your serial number against the lists available and comparing your instrument to pictures of other R13's for verification.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-10-24 18:39
I have one from a few years earlier that has all joints stamped with the Buffet logo, but no model either. Unlike some other makers, I don't recall seeing any with R13 at any time.
Post Edited (2011-10-24 19:27)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2011-10-24 18:43
Every bog-standard R13 I have ever seen had NO R13 labeling as such. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, but if it did happen it was rare.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-10-24 18:45
Yeah, I thought that one of the definitive features of an R-13 is that it DOESN'T say "R-13" anywhere on the instrument. Mine (circa 1994) certainly doesn't.
Susan
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Author: rick77
Date: 2011-10-24 18:59
Susan, I am hoping that you are right about the R-13's NOT having the R-13 stamp on the upper and lower joints.
If that is the case I've probably got the real deal because this seems to be a nicer horn than my E-11. And this horn does have the Buffet Crampon logos on the joints as well as on the barrel and bell.
Thanks guys for all of the other replies. I hope that Ed from the Bronx is wrong about R-13 joints having the R-13 stamp.
I feel beter but I've got to get definite confirmation to feel great about this.
Thanks!
Richard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-10-24 19:01
Later on, Buffet put the stamp on barrels (and maybe bells) to differentiate the bore characteristics from their RC and other wooden instruments. This was to make sure the right be;lls/ barrels shipped woith the rigeht instruments. The body normally did not bear a stamp saying "R13" on it. Th R13 was their standard pro model.... other models, at higher price points, had their designations stamped or badged on them (such as Elite, Prestige, Festival, Tosca, etc.).
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: Ed
Date: 2011-10-24 19:29
I updated my post. Initially I mis read the original question.
My apologies.
Post Edited (2011-10-24 19:31)
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Author: rick77
Date: 2011-10-24 19:47
Ed, thanks for the update! looks like it's unanimous that the joints do not have the R-13 stamps.
I played the R-13 for about 20 minutes and it plays like a dream compared to my E-11 so it must be the real deal.
I've played sax for about 40 years but only have played clarinet maybe a couple of years. I can definitely tell the difference in playability between the R-13 and E-11 that I have.
I had bought a Muncy 66mm barrel for my E-11 but was going to send it back since I ordered the R-13 but I've got to say I can tell a big difference in sound with the Muncy vs. stock R-13 barrel on the R-13 horn. I don't think I can send the Muncy back. I guess the Fobes mpc will have to wait. LOL
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Author: rick77
Date: 2011-10-24 22:02
I hear ya James, even though that was my first blow on the R-13 I could tell a major difference with the Muncy vs. the stock barrel. I could actually send the Muncy barrel back to the store but my ear tells me that it's a keeper so here it stays.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-10-24 22:34
Never saw an R13 designation on any Buffet R13 clarinet.......but I haven't seen recent ones..........
Bob Draznik
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