 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Andrez444
Date: 2011-12-11 18:24
I have recently been doing some research (Including on this buletin board) around a pair of Buffet R 13s which I own which according to Buffet's website were made in 1979.
It is not clear whether from the serial numbers they are in fact a matching pair as the numbers were for the Bb 200446 and the A 200038.
is it possible to ascertain whether they are indeed a matching pair, and also whether they were made at a time by Buffet which would make them sought after Instruments, and how much they may fetch, though I am really asking for insurance purposes.
They do play with a real well centred sound, and mainly in tune save for slightly sharp throat notes, and some flatness in the altissimo range around top E and F all which is correctable through embouchure and finger corrections.
Post Edited (2011-12-11 18:26)
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2011-12-11 18:53
There is no such thing as a "matching pair." It's all about subjective judgements made by the consumer when picking out clarinets. It's supposed to mean that they play similarly, but it means nothing beyond that.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-12-11 20:18
Many years ago when there really were top class craftsmen working for the manufacturers they did allegedly make matching pairs i.e. they were adjusted so that response, intonation, key positioning etc were as close as possible to each other.
However these days even the hand makers of clarinets rely on the customer to come and select the instruments that suit them best (and of course can make the small adjustments if needed to balance out between the Bb and A.) To be honest a fine professional player is in a better position to judge this than even the best craftsman.
Generally a "matching pair" just indicates that they are the same make and model and vintage.
There are not a few fine players who actually chose to use different models and even makes for their Bb and A.
The serial numbers you quote indicate that the instruments were probably made within days or at most weeks of each other.
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Author: Andrez444
Date: 2011-12-12 05:57
Thank you Norman for that very informative explanation.
I am indeed the proud owner of these instruments and they were selected using the expertise and knowledge of my then superb teacher, Sidney Fell, with whom I studied with over a 4 - 5 year period.
I am at the stage of my playing whether to continue to play on a pair of instruments which have served me extremely well over an extended period of time, or to update to something newer.
I have recently been experimenting with the new masters CL5 mouthpiece and a Buffet "Chadash" barrel, both of which have had a very positive response both to intonation, and sound quality.
Always a big believer in sticking with what works, though having an eye open for developments and advances which can help further.
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