 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Natalie
Date: 2002-07-19 00:57
I bought a Buffet BC 20 on ebay because they didn't say that's what it was, only that it was pro model buffet clarinet. When it came I realized it wasn't an R13. It is a beautiful horn with silver plated keys and new pads. It is is absolute perfect condition. Can anyone give me any information on the horn? I bought it for one of my students who was looking for a used R13. Can it be played here with no problems or does it need a different barrel for the intonation to be correct. I don't know anything about it except that someone told me that it is a european model. What would it be worth for someone to buy it?
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-19 03:35
Based on some messages on the Klarinet list awhile ago, I believe the BC 20 is a professional model, made for the European market and discontinued around 1984-85. If you search the Klarinet Archives (the link is on the home page of this site) for "Buffet BC20" without the quotes, you should get at least some information about the model.
Because it was made for the European market, the serial number probably has an F prefix. That would indicate that it is pitched a little higher than clarinets made for the USA. In this case, you may need a longer barrel to help tune it. I don't know how well current replacement (Buffet, Chadash, Moennig) barrels will work with this model. I'm pretty sure the BC 20 has a different bore design than the R13 but that's about all I know (and I'm not positive about that).
You can find the approximate date of manufacture at:
http://www.boosey.com/Instruments/Service/FrameSerialnumbers.htm
Change the brand to Buffet, select "Professional Clarinets" and enter the serial number without the F prefix.
The clarinet is probably a pretty good instrument. As far as resale value is concerned, a rough estimate would be the highest bid below yours. If that information isn't available, then your bid is probably a rough approximation unless you: (a) were the only bidder and bought the instrument at its opening or reserve price, (b) used buy-it-now, or (c) bid significantly higher than the next bidder to reach the reserve price.
Hope this at least gives you a start.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2002-07-19 13:23
I play on a BC-20, serial number F 110xxx made in 1969. I have purchased it used 15 years ago. It is a very nice horn, good intonation, round sound, good projection. I've asked about it to the Buffet Factory two years ago, here is the answer: "This model has been discontinued about 15 years ago. The reason is a bore design evolution. The BC 20 clarinet is the first level of our professional instruments series. The equivalent would be the recent Buffet Crampon RC clarinet." (see http://www.boosey.com/Instruments/Forum/FrameForum.htm)
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-07-19 14:37
I just went to the Buffet board Javier mentions, at http://www.boosey.com/Instruments/Forum/FrameForum.htm. What a disappointment. The basic reply to any query (except for matching serial numbers and dates) is "We don't know."
In addition to the reply Javier quotes, an earlier one says the BC was an intermediate model, so they can't even keep their own propaganda straight.
Mark - Take 'em over and shape 'em up!
Ken Shaw
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Author: Natalie
Date: 2002-07-19 16:23
Thanks for the info. I have been playing on the horn and comparing it to my Buffet F13 and it plays beautiful. As a matter of fact I think I like it even more. I tuned it and played with someone on an R13 and I only had to pull out a hair for it to be fine. To me there is no way it is a student or intermediate instrument because it just doesn't play like one. Do you think it would be okay for my student to purchase and use through high school rather than an R13? The price is $1000.00. My only concern is that I don't want her to pay the money if it's not worth it. The person I bought it from has not emailed me back and I think they were clearly being deciptive because they gave the serial number but left off the F in front of it which would clue anyone in to the fact that it was not an R13.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-07-19 16:53
Natalie wrote:
> Buffet F13
There is no "F13", in case anyone was wondering. It's a Festival. I know Brook-Mays' tag on my son's clarinets said F13 but it isn't a real model designation.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-22 03:08
Natalie,
I'm curious to know how you arrived at a price of $1,000. Is that what you paid for the instrument or was it a pre-agreed price with the student (or parents) or something else?
BTW, the F-prefix simply means that the instrument was built for the European market. There are R13's with an F serial number. Is there a "BC20 " on the upper joint of your instrument?
jnk
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