Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-08-15 01:56
I have a 1937 Buffet. IMHO, it's a first-rate clarinet. However, I do think $750 would have been much too high a price on it. I wouldn't have paid that. I don't know what the going rate is for these clarinets in restored, playable condition in music stores, but at estate sales, yard sales, flea markets, "junktiques" stores and so forth, Buffet clarinets made between the two world wars are not uncommon, and sell in unrestored, as-is, buyer-beware condition for under $200, often *well* under. I got mine for $100 last year. Sometimes they're in atrocious condition, sometimes too damaged to be worth restoring. Nearly all will be filthy from neglect, and will need pads and corks, at least, so figure the rehab job into the real cost. There's risk in buying an old clarinet that needs work before you can hear how it sounds (especially watch out for cracks and "marriages" of pieces from different instruments!), but you can get a great bargain in the junk market, if you're willing to gamble. For someone experienced enough to tell that there's basically nothing wrong with the instrument except pads, corks, etc., then I'd highly recommend saving a good vintage clarinet from getting hung on a restaurant wall or made into a lamp!
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The Clarinet BBoard
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