 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tedm
Date: 2007-01-26 21:31
I bought a used B12 Crampon w/ case from a UK dealer, and all the parts are labeled Buffet Crampon AParis, but the s/n doesn't match the records for the s/n database at the Buffet site, the # is 79xxx7 and it appears the site wants 5 digit s/n instead of 6. Any ideas? The clarinet plays and sounds perfect, just wondering why the s/n doesn't match up?
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-26 22:36
Buffet B12 clarinets have always had 6-figure serial numbers, so there's nothing unusual about this one.
As these clarinets are made by Schreiber, the serial number won't correspond with any clarinets made by Buffet as they're numbered at the Schreiber factory.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-01-26 22:40
The bad news is that you have nothing extremely rare, unique or unusual. The good news is that the music store did not rip you off.
The reason your B12 doesn't match the serial number information at the Buffet website is that the current serial number search engine at that site is largely worthless. If you have a fairly recent professional soprano model, it may give you a fairly accurate response but if you have a student model or an old (circa 1960's) professional model, it will not. Most, if not all B12's, have 6-digit serial numbers, regardless of what you may be finding at the Buffet website. (Given their production volume, they will likely reach seven digits soon, if they haven't already.)
The previous search engine (before Buffet "upgraded" their site), used a two-step process. First you selected the model of your instrument from a menu, then you entered the serial number. You had to do this because, over the years, Buffet has used the same numbers for different instruments. The current list doesn't function that way and, as a result, you never know what you'll find. It may correctly identify an R13 from 1996 but then tell you that your 1968 R13 Eb clarinet is a 1992 E13 Bb. It even told me that one of my clarinets was an oboe. LOL.
You have a standard B12.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2007-01-26 22:40)
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Author: tedm
Date: 2007-01-27 00:49
OK, thanks everyone, was just curious what year it was made in. Has a pretty modern molded plastic case, so I think it's not too old.
Still, other than lighter weight, don't really sense a much better tone than the Artleys, but we're still beginners.
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-01-27 14:23
I owned one B12 which I bought new some years ago. Although it was a "serviceable" horn I thought it was a poor horn to have the Buffet name on it. The plastic case design had much to offer and if the same design had utilized top grade materials it could have been an alltime winner. The light weight always bothered me as it gave the instrument a toy-like feeling. All in all though.....a good horn for a beginner when purchased used at a reasonable price.
Bob Draznik
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Author: tedm
Date: 2007-01-27 16:04
Bob,
You're probably correct. We're beginners and don't/didn't know what to expect so we paid $125 more for this Buffet than the Artley 17S's that we have, and notice little or no tone difference.
But we asked here, and on a couple of other forums, and people seem really attached to a brand like Vito or Yamaha or Selmer, and really don't want to consider that there might be something equal at a lower value.
Now these are just 3 data points, so if a serviceman or experienced band leader who has gone through generations of these can pinpoint something bad about an Artley or other low priced clarinet, then they would certainly have some better advice.
That said, the Buffet B12 to us is a fine instrument, but not $125 finer than our Artley's.
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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