 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-11-27 13:56
Hello,
I just had my grandfather's A clarinet refurbished by Wojtek Komsta. What a huge job! He only had a guess as to the age of instrument, so I thought I would ask anyone on the board if they had any better information. A quick search on the Buffet website replies " No product were found regarding serial number 792V".
The clarinet is a Buffet, serial # (on the lower joint only) 792V. It has a wraparound register key and a "doughnut" low-d, high-a ring key. It has the typical brand stamp, with the LP stamp. The bell has C. Fischer New-York between the brand stamp and the LP stamp.
I'm very impressed with the way that it plays, no doubt having a lot owed to Wojtek for his expert craftsmanship. I mailed him the clarinet, so I'm very excited to have him visit again (which he does about once a month) to "tweak" it further.
Thanks for any insight that anyone can offer.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2007-11-27 14:08
1906
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-11-27 19:12
Hello,
Thanks.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2007-11-27 19:16
What was used for a pad on the doughnut key? My old As of this vintage have pretty flat throat notes.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-11-27 19:43
Although not answering the question of how Ben's particular clarinet was done, I've done two "doughnut key" clarinet overhauls and in both cases made a pad from cork.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-11-27 19:48
There was a flute pad that fit my oldest Buffet with a doughnut key.
I recall this instrument had every conceivable trill key and speaker tonehole actuator... I could barely look at it without chirping a wrong note.
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Author: susieray
Date: 2007-11-28 04:00
I've got an oldie I've been trying to date, it is a standard Boehm system Buffet, LP, with the wraparound register key and the bell has H.Bettoney Boston stamped below the Buffet logo. There is NO serial number on this one. The right hand pinkie F#/C# key has a flat spring attached to the touchpiece and the screw shows through on top, looks like a little black spot.
I've had a few early 1900's Buffets and they've all had the serial number marked in very small numerals and on the lower joint only; hard to find if you don't know where to look but definitely there....but this one has NO serial number, and no sign of one ever having been there. So I'm guessing it's pre-1885?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2007-11-28 04:35
At one time, I owned a Buffet A clarinet with a donut key and my recollection is that it came from the 1900-1910 era. It cost $50 in 1950 but I sold it in about 1952 when I bought a pair of one piece Buffets, made in 1912 and 1921, respectively.
Many years later, I bought an Eb full Boehm clarinet with a donut key which I still have. It was made by the Japanese Musical Instrument Company and probably was an attempt to copy the Buffet style donut clarinet. It's the only full Boehm Eb clarinet I've ever seen! Good Luck!
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Author: Jobsys
Date: 2007-11-28 18:30
I have a "A" buffet with the reg number 564Y on the bottom of the lower joint.
I would date mine as 1907 and yours as 1906.
Based on our numbers there are 3,770 instruments that were produced
in between.
Pretty close by to-day's standard!
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-11-28 19:41
Hello,
I don't know exactly what Wojtek did, but the pad is not cork. It looks as if he altered a leather pad (or perhaps he made it). I'll have to ask him when I see him next.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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