 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: morgan
Date: 2001-08-23 17:31
I have a Evette & Schafer, modele buffet crampon paris clarinet that my brother used as a kid. I was wondering if you could give me any information as to it's worth as I need to get my kid a clarinet for band. I think it at least 30 years old. It is playable but needs work. No cracks in the wood.
Thanks in advance
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2001-08-23 17:49
Short answer: YES.
Do a search on Evette Schaeffer on this BB -- you'll find lots of good info on this model. To search, click on the Search link (it's kind of small, found with New Topic, Go to Top, etc.) just above the message listings.
That said, if I had a fourth or fifth grader just starting clarinet, I would probably get a quality plastic horn -- a Vito or a fixed-up Bundy or a Buffett B-12 -- to start with, rather than a good wooden intermediate like an E&S.
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Author: morgan
Date: 2001-08-23 20:30
The serial # is K24800, thanks
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2001-08-23 22:43
These instruments were given the designation of "master model." They were essentially a Buffet R-13 that had a cosmetic flaw so were sold under the Evette name commonly assosiated with beginer and intermediate horns. Most people think that the Evette master models are intermediate horns because they are Evettes. They are really R-13 professional instruments, to many the cadillac of clarinets. If the instrument is not too far gone it is deffinatly worth fixing. I have one that I use as a backup to my Buffet Festival, I think it is better than most other R-13s I've played.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-08-24 01:19
Yes, the Evette is worth fixing, but I wouldn't give a kid a wood clarinet. Because a wood clarinet is about twice the weight of a plastic horn. Get a young student (10-12 years old) who is playing on a plastic instrument, and have them try a wood one. They will often find the wood ones heavy, making it harder to support without fatigue in the right hand. (at least my 11-year-old cousin did)
Meri
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-08-24 05:16
Hi Morgan,
Based on your serial number, I can tell you that your clarinet was made in 1970 so your estimate of the age is right on the button. It is a good clarinet, the predecessor to Buffet's current E13 model (current list price over $2,000) and is a high-end intermediate instrument. After putting your clarinet in playing condition (not a complete overhaul, just pads, corks, bore oiling and adjustment as necessary), music stores in St. Louis would sell it for around $800. On eBay, depending on the time of year you offered it for sale and the condition, it would probably bring in the $200 - $250 range but I have seen them go into the $400's if they in mint condition.
I seriously doubt that your clarinet is an R13 with a cosmetic flaw. Joseph is incorrect when he states, "These instruments [K-series E&S] were given the designation of 'master model.' They were essentially a Buffet R-13 that had a cosmetic flaw ..." Not all Evette & Schaeffer K-series clarinets are "master models." If they were, and if every one was a rejected R13, then Buffet rejected around 60,000 R13's between around 1950 and 1982!!! The ones that are master models are stamped "master model" -- usually on every section. If yours is a master model, please let me know and I will ask you some additional questions to determine whether it's likely yours is indeed an R13 or whether Joseph's claim is urban legend. (There are some clear differences in the design of a standard E&S and a contemporary R13. It seems to me that an R13 rejected on final inspection will have the design (and keywork) of an R13, not an E&S. BTW, Joseph, if yours is designated "master model" and has a serial number above K10,000, I would like to hear from you. I think I have sufficient evidence to show that E&S master models below K10,000 are not rejected R13's but I don't have evidence one way or the other for higher numbered models.)
A 2-3 year-old used plastic clarinet in good playing condition from one of the "big 4" manufacturers sells for about $350 in the music stores around here. A new one goes for around $650. You can do quite a bit better on price ordering from one of the major discounters but, since your instrument apparently has no serious structural damage, for less than the cost of a plastic clarinet, you can have a much better instrument for your son.
Wooden clarinets are heavier than plastic clarinets but, without actually going to a scale, I doubt the weight is double. For some children the difference can be significant, though, so this is a factor you should consider. FWIW, it was not a problem for our daughter at age 10 (and she is not a big kid). Also, a neck strap can significantly mitigate this factor.
Another factor to consider is that some children can be tough on a clarinet. They don't always care for it properly and accidents such as dropping it can occur. Our daughter was meticulous about proper care. She did, however, fling the clarinet across the room one night in startled reaction to a large beetle that ran across the floor in front of her when she was practicing. Miraculously, the instrument suffered no damage from the incident (the beetle came through it OK, too, as far as I know). If your son is reasonably responsible, I wouldn't worry too much that he might "break" it.
It sounds to me like you have this E&S with three possible uses: (1) sell it and buy a different (plastic) clarinet for your son, (2) fix it up for your son to use now, (3) keep it until your son demonstrates he's ready for a good clarinet and buy (or rent) a plastic horn for him to use as a starter.
If you sell it for, say, $250 and then spend $350 for a plastic clarinet, you are out $100 and have a plastic student instrument. If you fix it up, you are probably out $50 to $150 (and you can get an estimate from the repair shop before you have to commit) and you have a high-end intermediate wooden instrument with a better resale value than the plastic instrument. With good care, this instrument will likely be good enough for your son to play through college (unless he becomes a clarinet performance major) and use in a community band after he finishes college. If you buy a plastic clarinet and keep the E&S for a step-up, you reduce the risk that he will damage it before he is experienced enough to appreciate it. On the other hand, you run the risk of being stuck with two horns to sell if he doesn't stick with the instrument. In your shoes, I would probably choose option (2).
One final note to this (already too long) post. Regardless of what you do, get your son a good student mouthpiece, i.e., one specifically designed for a beginner. The Hite Premier and Fobes Debut both come highly recommended and both are under $30. This will greatly increase your son's chances of success with the instrument. If the mouthpiece you have with the instrument is an Evette & Schaeffer with the word "France" stamped on it and three relatively closely spaced lines around the mouthpiece just above the cork, then it was probably made by Chedeville and has some value in its own right. Also, make sure the keys are shiny. This seems to have considerable psychological impact on kids. (Most of the kids in his band will probably have shiny plastic instruments.)
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Author: morgan
Date: 2001-08-24 12:51
Thanks so much for all the informative responses, I have procured a plastic horn for my kid to start out on, a friend is kind enough to lend us hers, I bought a Vanduren Lyre RV-5 mouthpiece for it, I then plan to overhaul our Evette and she can use that if her interest keeps up. Please keep the comments coming, it's very interesting, No,Jack, it does not have master stamped on it. And I found out last night my brother bought it in 1971, and you said it was made in ' 70 so that all fits. Now, I can sit back and wait, I play the Bagpipes, also in B-flat, some interesting duets may one day ensue! Thanks Brett Morgan
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Author: Rob
Date: 2001-08-24 23:52
I hate to burst anyone's bubble out there, but I thought that the rejected R-13s retained the Buffet Crampon imprint on the horn but were then sold with the additional designation Academy Model. My understanding is that the Evette Master Model was a completely different clarinet from the R-13. Is there anyone at B&H who can confirm/deny this urban legend?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-25 16:59
Jack or anybody else can you share with us what attribute (singular or plural ?) will allow us to recognize the difference between a (nice intermediate E-13 or whatever) Master Model & a (rejected R-13) Master Model ? Thanks. mw
PS I agree 100% w/Jack's economic assessment of Plastic v. Wood. I also understand that economics isn't the whole ballgame. BUT, if the score were tied or nothing-nothing ...
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