 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: susieray
Date: 2007-10-31 00:38
I am looking at a mid-1960's to low Eb Buffet bass clarinet (serial number
is 19xxx) and I'd love to hear of any personal experiences you all might
have had with these older Buffets.
It does have a pinned crack in the upper joint, but otherwise its in
great playing condition and fully regulated.
I don't anticipate playing the bass as my main instrument and I don't
even know for sure if I'm going to want to stick with it, which is why I
am not ready for a newer one right now. If any of you can share you
experiences with the 1960's Buffet bass clarinets, it would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LCL
Date: 2007-10-31 13:17
I played a Buffet bass about this vintage as a student in 1959. By coincidence, I came to own that same bass after it had been discarded by the school in 1983. It had intonation problems-very sharp as I recall-so much so that the neck had to be pulled out almost to the point it was wobbly-it had no tuning slide. Buffets of that era, and I believe today, have a corked neck as opposed to the metal tenon neck as on the Leblanc I now own-I believe modern Buffets now have a tuning slide. Beyond that comment, it was a nice horn that I donated to the local community band when I bought my low C horn. Perhaps David S., who we all respect a lot and who has an enormous amount of experience with many brands of BC, can add much.
Best Regards,
LCL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Michelle
Date: 2007-10-31 16:52
I have a 1962 Buffet 'Radio Model' Bass Clarinet. It has a corked, tuneable neck with a slide. It has a wonderful sound, fairly decent intonation with just a few notes out of whack. They could be adjusted if I took the time to send it off, but I just compensate for it right now.
In my opinion, it's a great bass. Gorgeous wood, nice tone, beautiful looking instrument. My only frustration with it is the high A-B-C notes that are a little difficult to produce since it does not have the register vent on the neck. I can slur up to them, but starting on a high B is difficult. However, in most concert band literature there is little need for that, so I manage quite well in spite of it.
Don't know if that helped you any, but I'd be happy to answer questions offline if you have specifics. I think you know how to get ahold of me, Sue!
Good luck with your decision...
Michelle
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-10-31 17:56
Sue -
My bass a 1960s Buffet to Eb. 99% of the repertoire fitx an unextended bass, and many players use one for everything that doesn't require the low notes. It's easier to handle and seems to respond faster than a low-C bass.
Buffet basses from this period are a mixed bag, with a warmer and bigger sound than other basses, but an inferior mechanical design. In particular, the register key mechanism is slow and clumsy, and it goes out of adjustment with the slightest abuse. Jimmy Yan put mine in top shape, but said "you'll be coming in here often for adjustment." The 1960s Selmer basses were mechanically better and responded faster but for me had a less beautiful sound. There were Selmer and Buffet schools of playing that continue today.
Current Buffet and Selmer models are much improved mechanically. In particular, the Buffet register key mechanism is much stronger and more reliable. The current Selmers feel great, but they're **huge** and take some getting used to.
The current Buffet bore design responds faster and more securely than the old one. The trade off is that the sound isn't as good. I've played my bass alongside several new Buffets and still prefer the sound I get from mine. I've been told that Ron Reuben, recently retired from the Philadelphia Orchestra, preferred a 1960s Buffet, sought them out for his students and used one when he didn't need the extended notes.
On the Klarinet list, you said that the seller wants $1500. That's a good price -- only a little more than a new plastic Bundy or Vito, for a professional quality instrument.
The instrument has a weak spot at the top of the upper joint. The top of the socket is reinforced outside with a metal band, but it's still easy to crack if you put downward pressure on the mouthpiece. The leverage produced by the neck is tremendous. Look at it from time to time as you play, If you're putting pressure on the mouthpiece, the neck will tip slightly backward in the socket, opening up a slit at the front of the instrument. That's what you must avoid.
Handle it with kid gloves and use plenty of cork grease.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: susieray
Date: 2007-10-31 18:48
Hi Michelle!
Thanks for the input, though this one is not quite the same model as yours, it doesn't have the tuneable neck, but it does have the register vent on it.
I'm going to try it out though, I have not played it yet and I won't buy it without giving a good play testing!
Ken,
I believe the instrument has already been split where you are referring to, that's why it has been pinned. Would it be less likely to split again now that it's pinned??? Or I guess it could happen again in a different spot! I'm going to look it over again more closely, and play it to check the intonation on it too.
Thanks
Sue
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-11-01 00:09
Sue -
A pinned spot is usually stronger than the wood around it, since the screws and glue hold things together. However, a crack could just as easily open up somewhere else in the same area. It's one of the chances you take with this particular model. I believe the current Buffet top socket has a metal lining, and is also deeper, though I'll be happy to be corrected.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-11-01 12:04
The crook socket on current Buffets isn't metal lined.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-11-01 12:25
Recently I tried a low Eb Buffet bass clarinet from (I think late) 60s. It is owned (and regularly played) by a bass clarinet soloist from Germany. I can't comment on intonation since I only had a couple of minutes with it (but this player has good intonation with this instrument). I agree about the mechanics (especially the register key) are not as good as modern clarinets and would definitely get out of adjustment more often. I thought it had an excellent sound but some random notes were stuffy. I don't agree with Ken that the compromise of the new clarinets is their sound, they sound as good as any bass clarinet IMO. $1,500 for a 60s Buffet bass clarinet in good condition sounds like a pretty good deal.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
