 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-02-14 19:18
Attachment: filedserialnumber 001.JPG (272k)
I'm rebuilding a Buffet RC A clarinet which has had the original serial numbers filed out and restamped with smaller numbers (2mm in height). Just wondering if this is a one-off and was done due to factory error, or if there was a more shady reason behind it. It's a genuine RC which the owner bought used.
You can see from the attached photo how the lower joint tenon shoulder has been rounded off due to the original number being filed out. I realise it's not in focus, but I'm struggling with the autofocus on these poxy digital cameras that decide to focus on anything but the object you want in focus!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-02-14 19:25)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2013-02-14 19:49
Does the new serial number match the other joint?
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-02-14 20:00
Both restamped serial numbers are matching (335xxx).
Had just one serial number been filed out and restamped matching the original number (regardless if the stamps were of the same style) then I wouldn't be so suspicious as there's usually a reasonable explanation for that - usually a transplanted joint (which I've done with several Greenlines).
I've seen an R13 where the top joint serial number had been stamped above the speaker tube with the same style numbers as B&H clarinets - which shows the top joint transplant was carried out by B&H.
The owner bought this clarinet (and its Bb counterpart) from a major UK retailer (not Howarth).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-02-14 20:01)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-02-16 20:30
Attachment: buffetrcaclarinet 001.JPG (773k)
Regardless of its past, I still went ahead and rebuilt it.
It still begs the question as to why Buffet still use a pointed pad cup on the open G vent pad cup (LH1 ring) as the underside of the throat A key gets very close to clattering with it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-02-16 20:34)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-02-16 20:43
If there is a murky past, why would one go and stamp a new serial number instead of just wiping/sanding the original one into illegibility?
The only reason I can imagine is that the joints were half-built-then-forgotten and that the refreshed serial number was used to reflect the actual finishing date.
Or some evil character at Buffet put some Mayan Calendar Prank on you... :-)
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-02-16 20:54
If it was done by Buffet, then I'd have thought they'd use their fancy numbers instead of smaller, plain numbers and stamped them so they line up as the originals would have done. Then again, maybe they might have restamped them in haste.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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