 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2019-09-04 22:44
Did Buffet ever put serial #s on the front of the joints, or on the bell? Have a very old (swan's neck) Buffet with a four-digit # stamped on front of top joint and on bell. Thanks!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2019-09-04 23:44
Swan's neck? Is this an alto or bass clarinet?
Buffet serial numbers are universally stamped on the back of the joints near the bottom as far as I know. Instruments before 1885 don't have serial numbers so maybe your instrument has numbers that were added later. If you can post some pictures it might help.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Bill
Date: 2019-09-11 22:26
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The clarinet is a Buffet-Crampon "Brevetes" "S.G.D.G." with a swan's neck (or "wrap-around") register key. The number "1709" is stamped in four places: (1) on the back but at the *top* of the top joint (see photo), (2) below the thumb rest on the bottom joint (the stamping was botched; see photo), (3) on the back *near* (but not exactly "at") the bottom, and (4) prominently on the bell.
No serial number stamp appears at the usual place on the top joint (back *bottom*) or on the bottom joint (very bottom of joint). However, there is what appears to be some kind of ancient (but unreadable, even at high magnification) serial number stamp where you'd expect it on the bottom joint (see photo).
Seems to me the "1709" is an institutional number used for inventory or something -- not stamped by Buffet-Crampon. Also, it is oddly newer and clearer than any of the Buffet stamps (logos, etc.).
I've included a picture of the RH pinky keys to show the old-style spring (underneath) and metal "dot" on the top of the key.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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