Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2012-11-14 05:34
Ed, if your clarinet said "Sponsored by Buffet," it was an Evette, not an Evette & Schaeffer. Also, except for a very few instruments that did not have the K- (or any other, for that matter) prefix, the E&S "Master Model" was not a rejected R13. Rather, according to Buffet, it was a production E&S that performed particularly well on final testing.
The E&S was made in Buffet's main factory and evolved into the E13. The E12 actually evolved from the Evette Master Model and was never made in Buffet's main Paris factory. Of course, a good E12 may still play every bit as well as well as an E13.
Miranda, extrapolating from the serial number list here:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html
I would estimate your instrument was made in 1975. At the time your instrument was made, as annev notes, it was a high-end intermediate model, one level below the R13. I don't know exactly how much a new E&S would have cost in 1979 but it was probably no more than $500 - $600. I base this estimate on the fact that in 1981, Weiner Music (which usually had good prices even back then) was selling R13 Eb clarinets for around $850 - $950. R13 Bbs were probably $100 - $200 less than the Eb at that time and E&S clarinets were probably $100 - $200 less than R13s.
Lelia, I can't tell from your post what you have/had. If the logo on your clarinet is the same as Miranda's and your clarinet has a K-serial number, you are looking at the wrong list. The list you describe is a list for Buffet's professional models. You need the list for "E13s." If your serial number is not on that list, note that the list is incomplete. There are single-digit K-prefix E&S clarinets. Vytas Krass had one with a serial number of K179. I don't remember what he concluded the date of manufacture to be but I think it was in the 1930s. AFAIK, there are no high-pitch E&S clarinets -- at least not made by Buffet. The going rate at flea markets may be under $100 for an E&S but the last time I checked on eBay, the going rate there for an E&S in used, needs work condition was in the $200-$250 range.
Best regards,
jnk
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