 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike
Date: 2002-05-19 01:16
I need the help of someone who knows clarinets. I do not, I'm a guitar player/collector who was at an antique show today and picked up a clarinet that is from the early 1950's and looks like it is a pretty good quality instrument. It's in great condition, felts and corks all good, it looks like it was taken care of very well. The barrel is stamped "Evette & Schaeffer Paris France" under that it is stamped "Modele Buffet Crampon" and under that it is stamped "Master Model". I believe it is a b flat being 26 inches long. My questions are 1. How does this model fit in the gradient of Buffet models, 2. What is a reasonable value of an instrument like this in excellent condition, 3. Should I polish the wood and silver before I sell it? Any information is sincerely appreciated.
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Author: Jim A
Date: 2002-05-19 01:57
Mike, I have exactly the same instrument that I used all through my university days. The serial number is K45xx and Buffet advised me that it was manufactured in 1952. For what it's worth, they also mentioned that the equivalent instrument today was the E-13.
You might also search the Klarinet Archives listed on the home page. A reputable repair person recently told me that this was sort of a factory second Buffet R-13. I spend days in the archives and don't think I found any real answer.
I don't recall, but I don't think my instrument has silver keys. I'll have to look again to be sure. Cleaning the wood with a soft cloth I think would be better than any type of cleaning solution or polish.
Sorry, can't help you with the value.
Jim
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-05-19 04:42
The Master model I had for a short while physically seemed identical to the first line Buffet. However, mine was a little flat in the low register and also sounded unfocussed and dull in the low register. The second register was well in tune and had a resonant sound. After undercutting almost all of the toneholes, the low register sounded great and the upper register did too. I felt I was fortunate to sell it for $350 even though it sounded very good after all the work was done on it. Other people seem seem to like this instrument better than I do. Good luck!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-05-20 03:13
I have an ES Master Model that I use as back up and it is better than several of the R13's that I have owned. How better - the intonation is superb, the tone matches or beats the R-13 that I traded for it. As has been stated many times before - the player, the setup (MP, barrel, reed, ligature, etc.) as well as the horn have a lot to do with the end product. You can get a decent horn and not play well with it or you can get a great horn from the junk pile and sing with it. Most consider the Master Model a decent horn of good quality - as with all horns within a class there are dogs and there are princes. There seems to be an increasing demand for these clarinets and the selling prices are on the rise.
The Doctor
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-05-20 20:24
Master models are not factory second R-13's. I did alot of research on this. Do the search here, and you will find lots of information. I actually downloaded the information. It's just too much to explain here.
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Author: Mike
Date: 2002-05-21 14:50
Thanks to all for the information, you have gotten me on a great start to pin down this instruments place in the range of Buffet clarinets. If I learn anything more definitive that I think you may all would like to know, I'll return to post it. Thanks again, Mike.
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