The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aggies1960
Date: 2017-03-21 17:17
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I recently came into ownership of a Buffet Clarinet - Made in France serial number 104768. I am trying to understand exactly what model it is. I don't know anything about clarinets and need some expert advice in determining what model it might be. From some quick Internet research I'm thinking it might be an R13 from 1968. Any replies welcome. Attaching some photos. Thanks.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-03-22 01:22
Back in that time about the only clarinet that Buffet made for the USA market was the R13.
One or two other related models were shipped in Europe but always carried a model designator on the top joint.
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Author: RKing
Date: 2017-03-22 01:54
Your serial number is in the 1968 block. One of my R13s is a 1967 model and yours looks just like mine. They still sound great, BTW. :-)
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Author: Aggies1960
Date: 2017-03-22 03:27
Thanks Caroline and Ron. I thought of a couple of other questions since I have you experts on the line.
1. Are the these in that era silver plated or nickel plated?
2. How can I tell what pitch it is? Are they all B♭ Clarinets?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-03-22 05:21
Buffet offered their clarints in both forms I believe.
It seems that for some reason the nickle plated variety were more popular in the USA but silver plate was more common in Europe.
I have a 1963 R13, bought in the USA at least 30 years ago which is nickle plate.
R13s were made in Bb and A but by far the most common are the Bbs.
Yours is in a single case and looks to me like a Bb. Usually when a player has an A then it is as part of a "pair" i.e. Bb + A and usually carried in a double case.
The definitive test is to blow the written note C and check what note actually sounds (against a piano, tuner or another instrument like a flute)
If the sound is a Bb then that's what you have (hence it's name)
Similarly if it sounds an A then it's an A clarinet.
The length of the top joint, including tenons is 8 3/4 inches for a Bb, an A will be nearly an inch longer.
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Author: RKing
Date: 2017-03-22 07:38
Mine is also nickel plated and it still looks good. When I look at it today, it's hard to believe it's 50 years old. Wish I had aged so well! <LOL>
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