 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gary Young
Date: 2002-04-04 02:17
I just purchased a wood Buffet Bb Clarinet which has spent most of it's life on a shelf in a closet. I was able to find out by the serial number (147057) that it was made in or around 1974. Other than the serial number it has no markings indicating a model number. A few years ago I purchased a new Buffet for my son and it is marked on the upper body above the A key with the model E-12. Was it common not to mark the clarinets with a model number back then? The single clarinet case is also unique in that it is the size of a briefcase, in fact it is a briefcase with space to hold music in the top and a space in front to hold a music stand or other stuff. It is black simulated leather and marked with the Buffet logo and Limited Edition on the inside lid. Both the case and Clarinet are in like new condition.
I also have an old LaBlanc "Symphonie" Bb clarinet SN 5188A. I have only seen one other of this model in all my years in music.
I have no idea how old it is but have been told that it was an upper level model when it was new.
Any info anybody can give me on these two clarinets would be helpful.
Thanks
Gary Young
Director
Rohnert Park (CA) Community Band
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-04-04 02:30
If the Buffet is wooden, made in France, and has no other designation on it other than the Buffet logo, it sounds like an R13 - a pro horn. From a pretty good era, too.
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Author: Gerald
Date: 2002-04-04 02:34
I have a Leblanc Symphonie, SN somewhere around 723 - I don't have the horn with me right now so I can't check. In sound, it is my favorite clarinet. I picked it up restored, and it played great. It has excellent tuning, though the sound across the register break is not quite as uniform as you can find on a more modern horn. But, the tone is very rich and smooth. Also, the horn is not as loud as, say, the R13 family. It also likes different mouthpieces IMHO.
I can't help you with the age myself, though I'm curious. I consider it a truely great horn. I'm sure you could find plenty of people here who might consider taking it off your hands cheap (hint... hint...). After all, you don't REALLY need it, do you???
Seriously though, check it out and see how it plays. Put it on a tuner. It is a different beast, and you might find yourself really liking it. I like mine. I find it more fun to play than my Buffet Prestige - it is more flexible, better in tune, and sounds nicer. Comfortable keywork too.
Gerald
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-04-04 11:15
I have a Leblanc Symphonie II. According to the guy at Leblanc, it was made in the early to mid 1950s. So the Symphonie should be late 1940s to early 1950s.
By the way, I really like mine.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-04-04 18:19
Gary -
If a Buffet has no model markings, it's an R-13, which was the top of the line in 1974. Instruments from that period are excellent. My main Bb is # 134518, which is about a year older than yours. If you got it for under $1,000, you got a great deal, particuarly if it hasn't been played much.
The E-12 is an intermediate instrument -- Buffet's lowest all-wood model. Many of them play very well, but the R-13 will almost certainly be better.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-04-04 18:32
Gary,
shouldn't that serial number be 14****
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Author: Blake
Date: 2002-04-04 21:23
I also have an R-13 from '73 that doesnt have any other markings. Buffet Student wooden models in the era were Evette-Schaeffer's or Evette's My first wood clarinet was an Evette-Schaeffer from 1970. My father picked mine up in Paris on a business trip for $175 which was considerably less than the retail price in the states. I didnt get to hand pick it.. but it was a gem and still is. Blake Velde Arlington, VA
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-05 15:40
As Dee suggests, the Leblanc Symphonie was made around 1950 plus or minus a while. It was an excellent Clarinet, Leblanc's top instrument. In a 1951 play-test, I selected a Symphonie over a Selmer, the two finalists in my "spend a fortune for a new Clarinet" search. Each sold for about $300, as I recall.
I played that Symphonie for many years and have never found a Clarinet I liked as well. The primary reason may be that my playing style developed around that instrument, and nothing else ever has done quite what I wanted it to do. An old Symphonie in good condition now sells for much more than its original price.
Regards,
John
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-05 15:45
Oh, Gary, I forgot to mention: that Leblanc is really not worth your while. Maybe you should dump it before the market dries up completely. Nice fellow that I am, if you send it to me and it's to my liking, I'll send you two hundred bucks.
:)
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