 For Sale
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Author: HippVisual
Date: 2026-02-21 04:49
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BUFFET R13 PRO CLARINET MADE IN 1956.
Serial #54690 From smoke and pet free environment.

And now we know a little more about Buffet A clarinet, model R13A, silver plated keys, made in 1956.
This clarinet was purchased from the late Vance S. Jennings.
Vance was principal clarinet in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra from 1951 to 1966, moved to Florida and lived happily ever-after. Principal in the Gulf Coast Orchestra, head of the department at University of South Florida.
A student of Stan Hasty (Eastman), held a DMA doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. Gentleman and fine musician, good friend for six decades.
Vance used a set of Selmer Centered-Tones when he arrived in Wichita, bought a set of new Buffets in the mid sixties.
Buffet R-13A was not part of the set from the sixties. We've learned that he acquired #65690 from Ted Hedvik (1932 - 2019) more than forty years ago. It seems he preferred the instrument to the R-13A he already owned, so put it in the case of the two clarinets he purchased while in Wichita and continued to perform on the 1956 instrument.
Lots of info on the internet about these two gentlemen.
Bottom line is that this clarinet is the finest example we've seen for decades. Pristine original condition, all new pads from our Wichita shop.
And, in our opinion, it is far superior to anything today made by the Buffet-Crampon firm.
Until the late sixties, Buffet's top-of-the-line clarinet was their R-13. It was supplied to the American market with un-plated nickel-alloy key work or with keys wearing bright silver plate. Nickel plate was not an option until a few years later.
Our clarinet wears original French bright silver plate, showing no wear patterns to any of the keys. When it was made, it was the most-expensive 17/6 clarinet that Buffet produced.
The wood of Vance's instrument is of unstained deep black grenadilla, straight-grained, no cracks or crack-repairs and with the bore as smooth as silk.
Two original barrels, (66 and 65 mm) , almost-perfect Buffet Crampon Pochette Clarinet Double Case for Bb & A Clarinet in excellent condition ($549 value).
Vance's SS number is inscribed on the top joint.
And to repeat, "It is, in my opinion, the finest A-clarinet in existence."
This item is clean, serviced, and ready to go.
This comes fully regulated & all work was done by my clarinet technician.
This professional level clarinet plays as nice as it did when it left the Buffet factory.
Comes with Buffet Crampon Pochette Clarinet Double Case for Bb & A Clarinet in excellent condition ($549 value).
Please note: this instrument is being sold by a professional clarinetist with 30+ years of experience. You are not buying from a pawn shop, Amazon, or someone who cannot be certain that the instrument is in playing condition
Ben Hipp
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