 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CuppaChai
Date: 2006-12-26 06:11
I played Clarinet for 7 years throughout my schooling. I was in honor bands, etc. My dad purchased a used wooden Buffet clarinet for about $700 in 1990 from my clarinet teacher. It has a very nice sound. Unfortunately I had to give up playing in order to go to college on track scholarship. Just no time. I left my clarinet at home for safe keeping. Enter graduation, a new job, marriage, kids, and 15 years later my dad presented this old friend to me at Christmas today!
I first of all need to know how to avoid cracking it. I would love to play it again, but am so afraid of damaging it. I inspected it and it appears to be in good condition still. No visible cracks and the keys seem to work. It was stored indoors. We live in the southwestern desert region of the US. Any advice on breaking it in gently? I am itching to play it. Would love to show the kids.
Secondly, I am not sure what model it is. I think it's an R13 just based on memory. It has stamps on every section. There is no serial number anywhere on it that I can see. It just has the logo on it, and says "Buffet, Crampona C (or something like that), A Paris. Then what appears to be RC in cursive text, and under that "Made in France."
I would be very excited if this is indeed an R13, because just poking around here on the web it looks like a good model. As a kid I had no concept of quality, other than I was glad to have a nice wooden one instead of the cheap plastic one I started playing on. My dad bought it used from my clarinet teacher for $700 in 1990. I have no idea how old it actually is. However the gold ink on the stamps was already worn off when I got it, so it was well-loved.
Edited to add: Just found on the company website-- "In 1921, a young beginner, Robert Carrée, was hired by the company. He was an extremely talented acoustic technician and developed the R13 clarinet in 1950 and the RC clarinet in 1975. These in turn led to the creation of the Festival and Prestige professional models."
So maybe the RC on the stamp of my clarinet means it's the RC model? I remember that I liked playing on the plastic one better because it was easier to blow and operate, but the tone was so, so much better on the Buffet and that's what got me into the honor bands (along with a lot of practice!).
Post Edited (2006-12-26 06:59)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-12-26 14:45
sounds like you have a rc model
http://www.buffet-crampon.com/en/instruments.php?mode=productsList&cid=10
another thread today had the link to the database too look up its age
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: CuppaChai
Date: 2006-12-26 15:12
Thanks! The logo on the clarinet looks exactly like this:
http://www.buffet-crampon.com/_img/home/homeEN.gif
No serial numbers that I can see. Is this logo standard to all Buffets, or is this an RC logo?
Off to juice some oranges so I can put the peels in the case!
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Author: William
Date: 2006-12-26 15:16
As an older clarinet, if it hasn't cracked by now, it most likely will not if treated properly and not taken into below freezing temps immediately after playing--or vice versa, playing while extremly cold without a gradual warming. Play and treat it as you would a new instrument and it should be just fine. Be sure that you swab after every use and wipe out the tendon joints as well. Through normal use, it will re-hydrate itself and provide years of playing enjoyment.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2006-12-26 15:16
The "RC" on your clarinet actually is a "BC" and stands for Buffet Crampon.
The RC model has Buffet logo, "BC" and "Made in France" under the logo. The "RC" appears below the "Made in France" marking.
If the serial number on your clarinet is above 50.000. It's an R-13.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: CuppaChai
Date: 2006-12-26 15:19
Thank you. There is no serial number or other marking on it at all, other than the company logo. A mystery . . . .
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-12-26 15:38
top joint, just above the tenon, on the bottom side - there should be a serial number stamped there
there should also be one stamped on the bottom of the lower joint, on the bottom, just above where the bell attaches
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-12-26 15:52
The serial numbers are 180 degrees opposite where the logos are... on the "back" side of the clarinet. The same side as the thumb rests, register key, etc. They will be on the bottom of the two larger joints. They are stamped into the wood, but are not gilded as the logos are, so they will be harder to see, initially.
Jeff
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Author: CuppaChai
Date: 2006-12-26 16:00
I found it! Thanks! It was easier to see once the sun was out.
It's #162763 So according to the serial number link on the other thread, it is an R13 made in 1975, right? Or is it an E13 made in the 60's? The serial numbers seem to be the same for that model/year. Like I said before, no other markings on it other than company logo and serial number.
It appears to be nickel plated copper, if that helps any.
Thanks for helping me figure this out.
Post Edited (2006-12-26 16:10)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2006-12-26 20:41
An R13 made in 1975. E13's in the 60's bore the Evette & Schaeffer logo and would have had serial numbers ranging from something less than K10000 to around K23000 or K24000.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-12-26 20:56
Yeah, that's definitely an R13. My first R13, SN/ 122251, was made in 1971, and I bought it new in the fall of '73. It still plays great, and my daughter uses it today.
Enjoy using your instrument after you break it in properly. Go to the Buffet web site, and follow Francois Kloc's instructions about how to break in a new instrument, and follow those. Personally, I would have it looked at by a good technician to see if it needs any work before you get to serious playing. While it is being inspected, a *light* oiling might be in order.
Jeff
Edited for typos.
Post Edited (2006-12-26 20:58)
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-01-10 08:16
An R13 in excellent playing for $700. WOW! what a deal!
Post Edited (2007-01-10 08:17)
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