 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Charles
Date: 2001-07-28 21:46
This is a 1969(S#`108XXX) Buffet clarinet in French style case. There are no cracks. Needs pads and corks. With Selmer crystal(glass) mouthpiece. I have to offer. Please help. Thanks in advance.
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Author: Charles
Date: 2001-07-28 22:37
I found this horn at local pawnshop. They're asking $350. I think I should buy it.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-07-28 23:05
Figure $300 worth of overhaul - you've got $650 in a classic R-13. Don't think you'll lose money on it.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-29 01:20
Personally, I wouldn't place a value on an overhaul for this instrument. I wouldn't want to limit the outcome with a budget. I would find the person I want to restore it & I would turn them loose to do all/everything that is right to bring it to a state of full restoration. That would go for all aspects of keywork. Some keys might be beyoind "tarnished". Some posts, rods or pivot screws might need replacement.
Half the fun of spending your hard earned money to restore a thing fo beauty is in the planning. Take you time and seek experienced & knowleagble advice.
108xxx is a very good number. I think 114,xxx to low 130's is the optimum period.
Caveat: You may think the pawn shop owners are not knowledgeable; that is not something I encounter often. Pawn Shop Operators usually seek what I call "quickie appraisals" & they all have the Used Instrument Pricing Books.
CRACKS CAN BE HARD TO IDENTIFY. I would be particularly careful reviewing the TOP OF THE LOWER JOINT and the bore. Or the keywork can really be worn & THIN.
Have you tried to TUNE with this clarinet? I would plan on changing out the Barrel if it is the original one (unless it is very unusual).
Best,
mw
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-07-29 19:54
mw,
I'd be curious to know where you found this range. Alvin Sweeney (who apprenticed with Hans Moennig) noted on more than one occasion (see the Klarinet archives) that the best Buffets were numbered "below 100,000." Based on over 40 years as a woodwind performer and repair tech, Bob Ackerman (Progressive Winds), in an articleon his web site entitled "Great Horns of America" says that "Buffet players often look for 70,000 - 100,000." (Though my guess is 100,000 is a ballpark rule-of-thumb and not an absolute dividing line. I agree that 108,000 is worth checking out.) One of the characteristics that distinguishes the sought-after models is a c#/g# key with the spring on the key rather than the body of the instrument. I know that feature continued beyond 100,000.
Charles,
In your first message, you say, "I have to offer." Are you saying that the pawn shop has marked the instrument at $350 but invited you to make an offer for it? Or have they given you the impression that $350 is firm. Pawn shops are funny. Most that I have been in mark items unreasonably high, figuring that we Americans find haggling uncomfortable and, as a result, often overpay. If someone will pay their price, they are that much ahead. If not, they can always haggle downward. Some pawnshops will (in fact expect to) negotiate and sell far below their marked prices. Others are firm. It will help if you can figure out which type you are dealing with. Look around the shop, particularly at items that you are familiar with and can estimate value. Ask yourself it the prices seem reasonable or unreasonably high.
If the instrument doesn't have any structural damage (cracks, broken/missing keys and the like) and the case is half decent, I think $350 is a reasonable price but not a giveaway. As is, you could probably sell it for more than $350 on eBay. With a horn this old, however, you always have a risk of problems that are not readily visible that could increase repair costs significantly or render the instrument of little use (e.g., warpage that affects the bore). If the instrument looks sound, unless it is mint, if I were you, I would offer around $200 for it and see what they do. If they don't accept your offer or at least counter-offer, walk away. (If you really want the instrument, even at their price, you can always come back in a day or two and pay full price. While you run some risk that someone else might buy it, odds are the shop is not overrun with people looking to buy old clarinets. They might not even let you get out the door. They run the risk that you won't come back and one thing most pawn shop owners do understand is turnover. If you offer $200, you put an amount on their investment. If they've had the instrument on their shelves for any length of time, they might be happy to convert it to cash that they can use to buy something that will sell more quickly. It might not even hurt you to point out that it doesn't do them any good to have alot of over-priced items that they can't sell sitting on their shelves. Of course, if they just bought the horn last week, that argument won't be as effective.
Let us know how things turn out.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-30 00:30
Jack, the opinions I expressed on (my) serial number preference is based upon my own observations, and certainly are not based upon any factual evidence or scientific study that I have done.
Click on the Link below & you all can review what Clark Fobes had to say about tyhis matter some time back :
http://www.sneezy.org/Databases/Logs/1996/09/000126.txt
Best,
mw
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2001-07-31 02:48
I've got a Buffet R13 from the same year (111,xxx). My parents bought it used for $500 in 1983. It's the only horn I play (I hate my A, which is from 1985...) I'm also curious as to the value of my horn. It was "Brannenized" in 1987 or so, and probably needs a good tune up again. No major problems with the horn...
Any input? (Insurance reasons....)
Katrina
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2001-07-31 12:57
I have a BC20, 110xxx, made on 1969 that I've bought in 1987. It is a great horn, I love it, good sound and projection in all registers.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-07-31 20:23
Assuming that the only thing this instrument needs is new pads, I would not pass up the opportunity, especially if you can get a local teacher to have a good look at it. There are occasionally diamonds in the rough.
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