The Clarinet BBoard

Re: Buffet N1 Amerique

Author: Jack Kissinger  Date:   2008-08-20 01:31 I'm pretty sure it is an R13, made in 1969. The current Buffet list appears to have been created by entering data from the manual records in the factory into a database. I think the most likely explanation is that, when they entered the batch that contained your clarinet, the person entering the data made a typo. Serial numbers on both sides of your model have the same designation and date as yours. Sib is Bb and Am?(e)rique indicates it was made for the "American" market. (A=440 pitch). I have a Buffet with a serial number a couple of thousand below yours. It also shows up as an N� 1 Sib Am�rique made in 1968. It is an R13. When Buffet was experimenting with prototype R13s, according to Francois Kloc, they designated the model the No1 (or NO1 or N01, it's hard to tell from his message). Buffet appears to have continued to use this designation in the factory for several years after the R13's introduction. Over the years, they have changed their model designations. Some show up as 1131s, e.g., and some even show up as R13s. Yours is a true Vintage R13 from the "Golden Years." When it was made, it was Buffet's top-of-the-line. A college student majoring in clarinet may find it to be a bit on the old side to be his/her "front line" instrument but it should be a superb backup and may become his/her favorite. (And tell him/her that using it for marching band or bad weather would be sacrilege.) I still play the 1963 R13 Bb and 1965 R13 A I bought when I was in college. It has always been my front line clarinet. Best regards, jnk Post Edited (2008-08-20 12:12)

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