 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: natew
Date: 2009-07-16 23:58
I have an Evette and Schaeffer, Modele Buffet - Crampon, base of the second barrell reads B5579 and I can't seem to find this anywhere. I'm trying to figure out how old it is and what it's worth. I played it many years ago and now it just sits and I feel bad since it had such amazing sound (to me) at the time. Lots of reasearch has lead me to believe that it's a B series from early 40's or 50's, it's in pretty good shape, nothing is bent or cracked, I'm missing the original bell and mouth piece but it played well 10 years ago...
Thanks in advance,
Nate
PS. I had it appraised by a music shop about 15 years ago and was told at that time that it was worth about $2500 if that means anything.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-07-17 00:19
Nate,
My Evette & Schaeffer clarinet is No. B3703. At first, I thought it was from the early to mid-Fifties. But most people who know anything about E&S clarinets say it's probably about 50 years old...1960-64. I have no way of knowing for sure.
Use the search function on the bulletin board. Several members are well-versed in E&S history, but the lack of a complete data base for serial numbers makes it nearly impossible to date some of them. It may be that a photo or two of your clarinet will yield information about the keywork that could help narrow the date range.
As to value, I'm not an expert. But it seems to me that the market for the best of the older Evette & Schaeffer clarinets will bring perhaps $700 or $800, tops, but that many sell for roughly half that. Recent sales on auction sites or for-sale ads, some occasionally on this bulletin board, will suggest a price range. But nothing like $2,500. You're talking R13 at that price.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-07-17 00:27
Not only that, but without the original bell, the value will be even less. Mouthpiece doesn't matter, but the missing bell makes a difference.
Jeff
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Author: natew
Date: 2009-07-17 01:23
Attachment: HPIM1222.JPG (91k)
Attachment: HPIM1223.JPG (116k)
Excellent, thanks for your replies you've been a great source of info. I had planned on taking it back to a music shop to have it appraised again but I don't see the point...
Does it mean anything different given the fact that they keys are at least partially actual silver? The emblem on it says Evette & Schaeffer accross the top then.... lets see if I can draw it out...
Evette & Schaeffer
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-07-17 01:37
Hi, the B serial numbered Evette Schaeffers are ok student model clarinets, but they are not real Buffets, as they were made for Buffet by another company. They are not the same as the K-serial numbered ones which were actually made by Buffet. I sold one recently with the number B7456 and I got right around $200 for it. BTW there is no real silver in the keys, they are nickel silver.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-07-17 01:43
Susieray,
Who made the E&S B models for Buffet? It was my understanding, from reading archived threads, that the older models were indeed made by Buffet in France. Are you referring to Schreiber?
Thanks.
Post Edited (2009-07-17 12:33)
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-07-17 01:49
No, they are not Schreibers. They were made in France, but not by Buffet. They don't have Buffet keywork at all. The bridge key has the ears on the bottom like a Malerne.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-07-17 02:01
Thanks, Susieray. I just found the thread from 2007 in which Vytas Krass discussed his Malerne findings.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-07-17 14:28
The serial number list on this site starts (see "How Old is My [Buffet]" under "Equipment" at (K)10109 and dates the instrument at 1961. This agrees with the serial number list on the Buffet website, which actually extends the series back to 5000, dated at April 30, 1953.
While it's possible that there may have been some overlap between the B-series and K-series during the 50's, considering that Buffet was producing the K-series in some quantity by then, it strikes me as unlikely. I think 40's or early 50's is a better estimate of the manufacture of a B-series E&S. The shared post for the G# and A throat keys (and, I would guess though it's not entirely visible in the photos) a single post for the left-hand lower joint cluster keys and (what appears in the picture to be) an adjusting screw on the G# throat key would also be consistent with that dating.
IMO, the B-series E&S are far less desirable than the K-series numbered above 10109 (which may or may not signal the introduction of the polycylindrical bore to the E&S -- it appears to have lagged the R13). While a local music store might try to price an E&S around $800, the highest price I've ever seen for one on eBay was around $450. The seller, in that case, was someone who buys good quality instruments, has them overhauled professionally, knows how to present the items he has for sale and has a very good reputation on eBay.
Someone who doesn't know any better might pay $200-$250 for your instrument on eBay but I doubt a knowledgeable bidder would go much over $75-$100. (If, by chance, you can find someone now who will appraise your clarinet at $2,500, offer it to them at half that price and watch how fast they run away... or laugh all the way to the bank.)
Best regards,
jnk
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