Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-06 15:16
Buffet did have a "B-series" Evette & Schaeffer instrument. I have seen a few on eBay in the past. These serial numbers are not on the Boosey list (which only has serial numbers for K4000 -- 1952, according to their list-- and later). As Dee has mentioned, the earlier records may have been lost, either during WWII or a period of financial difficulty that Buffet faced after the war.
There is some evidence that the K-series began in the late 1930's or early 1940's and it makes sense that the A and B series' were earlier than that. Since you sound like a clarinetist, yourself, perhaps you can provide some useful information. Here are some questions that might help with the dating:
1. On the upper joint, does the throat G# key have a small adjusting screw?
2. Also, on the upper joint, do the throat G# and A keys share a post or are there two separate posts for each of the keys?
3. On the lower joint, do the left-hand (cluster) E/B and F#/C# levers each have their own pivot post or do they share one.
Alternatively, if you have a scanner and it is easier for you, if you want to lay the instrument, or at least its two joints (sections with keys) carefully on the scanner, scan the picture to a jpeg file and e-mail it to me at my above address, I might be able to infer some additional information.
Best regards,
jnk
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The Clarinet BBoard
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