 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Graceee88
Date: 2007-07-08 21:03
I have a clarinet that I bought from my former clarinet teacher back in 1999, but it had been used by someone else for many years before that. I don't really know anything about clarinet models, and I've been trying to figure out what it is through pictures online...The logo says (in this order):
Paris
Evette
France
Made by Buffet Crampon
The serial number is D6528
I used the serial number search on buffet-crampon.com and I'm not sure if the "D" was supposed to be part of it? I entered in 6528 and came back with:
Brand : Buffet Crampon
Instrument : Clarinettes n1 440 Evette
Serial number : 6528
Year of manufacturing : 04/04/1955
There was another instrument listed at too late a manufacturing date (2006), so I guess this one is mine. What is the actual model name. Can anyone tell me about the history of this model, and exactly how good it is for "playing" ?
Thanks!!!
Post Edited (2007-07-08 21:06)
Post Edited (2007-07-08 21:31)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-07-09 04:15
I'm going to attempt to answer your question. In case you don't want to read through all the reasons for my conclusions I will summarize them and give the detail below. In the process, I fear I may open a can of worms so we'll see if someone else has a different take.
The D-prefix on your instrument tells me that you have an "Evette" model. This is the immediate predecessor to the current E11 model. Earlier series "Evettes" date back at least to the 1930's and possibly earlier. Despite the fact that one of the two clarinets your search turned up is identified as an "Evette," I don't think either is your instrument. Your clarinet was made in Paris but not in the main Buffet factory and, for the reasons I give below, I think the serial number list only includes instruments from the main factory. As a result, I think the "Evettes" in the search function are actually Buffet's higher-end "Evette & Schaeffer" model. There was an earlier search function (now deleted) that included your model. It gave the earliest date of manufacture for D-series Evettes as 1960. Based on that, I think your clarinet was made sometime between 1960 and 1965. It is a good student model, probably from good wood, and from a period many would include as part of Buffet's "Golden Age." I think you will find it perfectly satisfactory as: (1) a beginner instrument for a youngster that could carry him/her through high school and even college band as a recreational activity, (2) an instrument to play in a community band, (3) an instrument to be used for occasional doubling by someone whose primary instrument is something else. On eBay, in good condition, it would likely bring somewhere in the range of $125-$200.
The "new" serial number lookup on the Buffet website works differently from the old one. With this one, one enters a serial number with no letter prefix (as you figured out) and the website lists "all" the Buffet clarinets (and other instruments) that have that serial number. I put the "all" in quotes because I find that it doesn't actually list "all" the clarinets, only some of them. For one thing, the list only goes back a limited period of time. I'm not sure where it starts. The earliest instrument I've come across is 1951. It actually seems to depend on the model. For example, I can find a model identified as an "Evette" with a serial number just under 4000 that dates back to 1952. On the other hand, the earliest professional model clarinet I can find has a serial number of 58835 and dates to 1958. So, I suspect Buffet has only included some of their models (as I will argue below, only those made in the main Paris factory). Perhaps they are still building the list and will eventually add other models.
In the 1960's, Buffet had two student/intermediate models, the D-series "Evette" which was made in Paris at the time but not in the main Buffet factory (this is what you have) and the higher-end K-series "Evette and Schaeffer" made in Paris in the main factory. Only one of these is showing up in the Buffet list at this point. It is identified on the list as "Evette" but, based on a comparison of the serial numbers in the Buffet search function and other lists, including the one on this website, I conclude it is more likely the K-series Evette & Schaeffer and that the search function is only showing clarinets that were made in the main Paris factory. Supporting this conclusion is the fact that when I enter the serial number for a later German-made E11 Buffet model that I own, it does not show up on the list either.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris J
Date: 2007-07-11 21:33
Jack
I have sent an email to you with photographs of my instrument, but do not mind if you reply to the forum (it being instructive to others) instead of, or as well as, replying to my email.
The clarient in question has Evette and Schaeffer stamped on all 4 parts (therefore should be an E13 forerunner) and the serial number has a K in front (again E13) but on very close inspection the K is a slightly larger font than the numbers, and on the bottom joint the K appears to over-stamp a faint D (which is the same size as the numbers) - you have the photo
The Buffet-Crampon web site puts the number at 1961 manufacture.
I do wonder what you think has gone on here. Does the Evette and Schaeffer mark speak more about its pedigree than the letter prefix? Do you think the factory changed its mind about how it should have been stamped, or do you think it has been tampered with?
And the additional question was - what did the Evette and Schaeffer Master model become?
Kind regards
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jerry Rife
Date: 2013-12-29 23:45
Jack:
This a fascinating discussion. I was drawn to this site and registered in order to find out about another Evette & Schaeffer Bb clarinet that I recently found. It is stamped on the barrel, upper joint and bell in this way:
Around the inside of the upper top of the finely dotted oval is "EVETTE & SCHAEFFER" Across the middle of the oval in straight lettering is "PARIS" and across the bottom of the inside of the oval is "FRANCE." Under the oval and outside of it is "MODELE BUFFET CRAMPON"
The serial number, stamped a bit off center on both main joints of the clarinet is A182.
It is a full Bohem fingering system without the adjustment screw above the throat "A" key. The throat "A" and "G#" keys share a common post. The thumb rest is the old style with one screw above and one below the thumb rest.
I am having a hard time finding the date in the serial number listings. Any help you or anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Jerry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GaryH
Date: 2013-12-29 19:23
If the serial number has a "D" prefix it is a E12 model.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GaryH
Date: 2013-12-31 01:36
I was replying to the original poster. Sorry if I confused you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: annev
Date: 2013-12-31 20:10
Hello,
Jack can give you far more information, I'm sure, but in the meantime you may be interested in looking at this website:
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnBuffetES.htm
It suggests that the A-series Evette and Schaeffer clarinets were made by Malerne, rather then in the main Buffet factory. It's certainly an older clarinet (the website suggests perhaps 1930s).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2013-12-31 21:45
You can tell if your clarinet was made by Malerne or in the main Buffet factory by these features:
Late 1920s, early 1930s Evette & Schaeffer clarinets made by Malerne.
1. Round thrill key guide
2. The left-hand pinkie keys are mounted on separate posts.
Late 1920s, early 1930s Evette & Schaeffer clarinets made by Buffet Crampon.
1. Triangle thrill key guide
2. The left-hand pinkie keys share a common post.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
