 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-27 22:11
Attachment: IMG_2177.JPG (1043k)
Attachment: IMG_2178.JPG (1102k)
I bought my son his first Clarinet and I have 30 days to return it. It was sold to us as a Used Student Clarinet -- a Selmer Accent -- however after doing some research I'm not sure that is what it is. There aren't any brand markings left but it is stamped with a 6 digit number 764xxx and "Made in Germany" on both main body pieces. They said it was a composite but it really looks like wood to me. It also came with several mouth pieces including an A. Gigliotti - that appears to be the only thing with any branding whatsoever.
Also the manufactures with serial number charts and searches either don't work or stop a decade ago so those aren't super helpful.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Kristin
Post Edited (2017-08-27 22:16)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-08-27 22:27
That's a Buffet E11 if it's wood or a B12 if it's plastic (with a wood finish) - the logos were printed onto the top joint and bell, but they rub off completely.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2017-08-27 22:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-27 22:42
Thank you. I was thinking that's what it might be but very surprised the store that sold it to me didn't know. Is there a way to tell if it's plastic/composite with a grain finish or actual wood ? I'm starting to think I may have gotten a halfway decent deal at $250. It appears to be in very nice shape although I have no clue how old it is.
Post Edited (2017-08-27 22:47)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-08-27 22:55
Have a look in the sockets and inside the bore. If it's really mirror smooth with no apparent grain showing, then it's plastic. If it has a grainy appearance or feel, then it's wood.
The ends of the tenons will also show up the grain pattern if it's wood or will be shiny and have moulding marks if plastic.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-28 01:50
Thanks that's what I was thinking and after I took a powerful flashlight to the inside it appeared to be wood as well. I just can't believe they sold it as a student resin Clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-08-28 03:12
This will last your son for many years - the next model above this in Buffet's lineup being Buffet's own E13 (which seems to be a very popular choice among many players I know here in the UK), then the pro level R13 or RC above that.
The E11 has a painted/lacquered finish to the joints to make them look uniform, so that's what probably fooled the seller into thinking it was plastic.
If this is the Accent clarinet (see link below), then the E11 you have is a million times better!
http://www.musicgoround.com/p/448529/used-accent-clarinet-clarinet
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2017-08-28 03:13)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-08-28 21:40
Kristin--
The grain pattern I'm seeing in the photos indicates genuine wood.
Assuming it's been serviced, you got a good deal. Your clarinet was built by Schreiber, not Selmer.
If your son treats his gear with care and respect, I would lean towards keeping this clarinet. For the first couple of years, he'll be playing almost exclusively in climate-controlled settings, anyway--home and the rehearsal room.
You can add a resin clarinet in a couple of years if he elects to participate in marching band or pep band. By that time, he might want to play drums, saxophone, or something else besides the clarinet for those ensembles. An actual pressing need for a resin clarinet may never materialize.
Conversely, if you're not so sure about your son's ability to properly care for a wooden instrument, trade it back in on a resin model for your own peace of mind.
Regards--
Greg
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-28 21:54
Thanks much ! Luckily he is very careful and I have told him we got very lucky and got a more expensive Clarinet than what was planned. It was fully serviced by the technician at the music store where we purchased it. The pads look wry good if not new in many places. There is a bit of the lacquer finish on the bell that is marred and a bit of the plating has some small areas of pit/discoloration but that's it. Not sure how old it is but it's in very nice shape so we are keeping it !
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mtom
Date: 2017-08-28 23:00
The main thing I'm interested in is how the tech didn't notice it was wooden!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-28 23:19
Well I'm certainly hoping that the tech did realize it was wood. I think it just got mis-marked once it got out onto the floor. The person that told me it was composite was a drummer and admittedly knew nothing about woodwinds. My budget was $500 and they showed me three under $500 all supposedly Resin/composite -- since they were all plastic-- or so I thought -- this was the cheapest of the 3 at $274 with a 15% off Used sale on top of that. It was the least expensive and looked the nicest so I went for it. I'm going to have my sons clarinet teacher check it over tomorrow.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kkbmwt
Date: 2017-08-29 17:01
Attachment: IMG_2205.JPG (1707k)
Attachment: IMG_2198.JPG (446k)
I am now rethinking everything now.....Evidently here in the states an Accent brand does exist that mimics the Buffet and was actually made in the Schreiber factory. However I read somewhere in the research (of course now I can't find it) something about plastic holes being a differentiator.
I did take some photos and whatever you call the piece by the finger holes that somewhat protudes out appears to be plastic not wood. Maybe it is like that also on the Buffet I have no idea.
I kept researching because the serial number didn't make sense to be a Buffet E11 ..... 764xxx. Doesn't seem like they would be that far in the numbers if you extrapolate production numbers out from the charts that Buffet had from years back ..... especially for this to be a Used Clarinet that I assume is several + years old. Would Accent use the same type of 6 digit serial numbering as Buffet ? How would there not be duplicates ? I'm curious what actual current production serial numbers are at for the E11 (assuming they are still made).
Just sorta driving me crazy trying to figure this out.
Post Edited (2017-08-29 17:20)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-08-29 19:09
The Buffet serial number list you are using is for Buffet's professional models and will not work for the E11. That serial number is consistent with an E11.
-Jdbassplayer
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-08-29 20:03
Buffet E11s (made by Schreiber) will have inset plastic tonehole chimneys that are either glued or screwed into threaded holes drilled into the joints depending on their age.
Buffet clarinets from the E13 upwards all have integral tonehole chimneys.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
