Author: Kalakos
Date: 2010-11-16 23:01
Yep! Been there, done that also. I have two Bb HP Buffet clarinets which I keep because they were each given to me by old timers, so... sentimental value you know. And two C HP Buffets, the most recent I purchased 3 or 4 months ago. I have also tried all the tricks, BUT, they are sweet playing but do not make good Low Pitch instruments. Tune them here, they're out of tune there, etc..
As for value, the C's are not in demand, but the Bb's and A's are. My last purchase, a C High Pitch, I knew was a high pitch clarinet. The seller wanted $300 for it, but sold it to me for $250. It plays well, it's in perfect shape (no cracks, all original, played right out of the box) and I'm happy with it, but I don't perform with it. I would estimate the value of a C Buffet HP, depending on condition as being between $200 and $350, but the high end is if all parts are original, no cracks, or repaired cracks, and playable "out of the box." If you play Boehm, you can find good ones, and some of our list mates here have commented on the various ones that are available. I think Boehm players are lucky, because I remember when I started playing clarinet, around 1962, the man who sold me my Albert C, played Boehm C, and at that time he told me that it was impossible to find C Boehm clarinets, and that he was fortunate that he had a played a Boehm C.
Good luck to you. I'd just sell it and get a Boehm.
John
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