 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pfwillis
Date: 2010-05-11 03:33
I’ve got an Academy model alto and I’m hoping to clear up its role in the universe.
The serial number is 20,3xx which Buffet’s site dates to July 1959 and the model description is “Alto N 5 Radio.” Searching the archive, it seems the Academy name was used in the early 50s for instruments with the bad bore and in the 60’s for R13s with minor cosmetic flaws.
However, the alto serial numbers obviously aren’t in sequence with Bb serial numbers. Just for giggles, I put in a dozen other numbers throughout the 20,xxx range and they all come up as altos and basses, ranging from 20,001 in 1955 to 20,999 in 1966.
So does anyone know definitively what the “Academy” model was in mid-1959? I can’t imagine they developed that many alto bores, so I’m inclined to believe it was a reject R13, not a bad bore instrument.
If it matters at all, it’s got the standard BC logo with “ACADEMY” in all caps, plain font (like Arial or Century Gothic) on both joints. Keys are un-plated, bell is nickel-plated, and it has a LH pinky Ab/Eb lever.
Speak up, all ye experts of golden-era altos! (HA!)
Peter
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-05-11 17:52
I have an old Buffet promotional brochure that includes the Buffet Radio Model alto and bass clarinets. That brochure, under the heading "Professional Model," describes a "Buffet Master Alto Clarinet Professional Model." The Carl Fischer designation (not Buffet's, BTW) is R-2 1/2. A couple of pages later, the brochure describes the "Radio Model" as follows:
"Incorporating the superior qualities of the Master Professional Models with distinctive features of their own, the "Radio System" Alto and Bass Clarinets offer certain unique advantages to the discriminating musician..."
From the pictures and descriptions provided the altos appear to have identical features. The biggest visible differences from the pictures are that the "professional model" bass has the register key on the neck and has an adjustable neck while the "radio model" bass has the register key on an extended neck receiver and does not have an adjustable neck. The Fischer designation for the Radio Model Alto is R-3 1/2.
According to an old price list that I have, in 1968 the R-2 1/2 had a list price of $705 while the R-3 1/2 had a list price of $695. The Radio bass listed for $25 less than the $850 "Professional" bass. Pretty close, I'd say.
BTW, the reason you found all altos and basses in the number range you tried is that Buffet does not number it's harmony clarinets (altos, basses and probably basset horns) in the same list as its professional soprano clarinets. (And the Buffet lookup does not go back into the 1930s for sopranos.) You can see a summary list of harmony clarinet serial numbers (up to 1993) here:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html
if you scroll down the page.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-05-11 18:16
My understanding (from many threads on the 'poor intonation', or 'bad bore' early R-13 Bb's from around 1950-51, that were sold as Academy models, were soprano's only, and would have no connection to your Alto. I don't see why your Alto would be a 'bad bore' or 'reject' anything.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: pfwillis
Date: 2010-05-14 07:06
Jack,
Thanks for the brochure info. I wonder if the keys on the "Master Professional" alto were plated. Who knows, maybe it was a different thumb rest or case...
Clark,
I was disinclined to think it would have been a "bad bore" issue, but I understand that the Academy designation was later used for R13's with cosmetic issues. I said "reject," but that was a poor choice of wording - I think it was more of a "B-stock" situation. I don't remember if it was here or on SOTW, but there's a post referencing some comments from Francois Kloc on the issue.
Thanks,
Peter
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-05-14 18:02
According to the brochure, at the time it was printed, the "Professional Model" alto had "keys of solid nickle-silver, heavily nicron plated." The description of the "Radio" alto is extremely brief and does not mention the metal content of the keys. The "Radio" bass, however, is described as having a "solid nickle-silver mechanism, heavily Nicron [sic] plated." I doubt plated vs. unplated keys was a distinction between the two models. The brochure was probably printed some years after your instrument was made, obviously after Buffet started plating keys. I think there is a thread somewhere in the archives with a message (from Vytas?) indicating when Buffet began plating keys.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: cbass
Date: 2014-01-17 22:40
I recently bought a Buffet Bass Clarinet Radio Model. Any chance to share that brochure on the forum? I would love to see it! Thanks! C
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