 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2011-10-02 23:43
Hello all,
https://plus.google.com/photos/116008972862573166194/albums/5659042466229518753/5659042463657434946
I was in a second hand shop and came across this instrument. There is a Buffet Crampon logo on it, as well as "Chrischer, New York" (spelling... maybe Grischer)
The pictures aren't too amazing, and I apparently ignored the upper joint. There was a crack and what appeared to be some piece of wood protruding into the bore. Maybe like a knot came loose.
It had an original case i think. It was leather and shaped like a squished cone. There was a leather cap on one end with a missing latch.
It was an interesting find. Any info on the maker? or _____, New York marking?
Thanks!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-10-03 00:11
It's not an Oehler, which applies to a modern German instrument with many keys. It's an "Albert System" or "simple system" instrument.
The stamp on the bell is "Carl Fischer," a well-known publisher and, at the time, importer, which had the exclusive right to import Buffets in the early part of the last century.
It is indeed a Buffet, which was and continues to be a famous maker.
There will be a serial number lightly stamped on the back. Look at the bottom of the upper joint or the top or bottom of the lower joint. The numbers are often full of crud. Scrub it out with an old, dampened toothbrush. You can determine the date of manufacture by looking at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html.
The case is typical for the instrument's age and is probably not restorable, at least at reasonable cost.
It's in very poor condition, with many cracks. The piece protruding into the bore is probably the metal register vent. Given the cracks, it will cost several hundred dollars to restore, which I think will not be worth it.
Alas, the value is around $35, or $50 at most. It may make a nice lamp.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Klarnetisto
Date: 2011-10-09 14:28
I have a similar Buffet Albert (Bb). Its serial number doesn't exactly fit the formulae in the list that Ken Shaw linked here, but as close as I can figure mine must date from 1889. Fortunately mine is in excellent condition: a tiny chip on the top of the upper joint, but otherwise fully intact with no cracks. It sounds fabulous. It's a shape-shifter too: with a normal strength reed its makes the most refined and elegant classical sound you could want. With a really soft reed, it transmogrifies into a Greek klarino! And it's equally convincing in either role.
I've seen these sell for appreciable money via online auctions. If you can get this one cheap enough and repair it economically, you could likely at least get your money back on it. These are very much sought after by folk (especially Greek) and early jazz players.
People on the Greek & Turkish Clarinet site are always on the lookout for such clarinets:
http://www.gtc-music1.com/forum/index.php
Jeremy Soule, AKA the Vintage Clarinet Doctor, does very good restoration work at very reasonable rates, and has a special passion for such vintage horns:
http://thevintageclarinetdoctor.com/default.aspx
He did quite a fine job on my c. 1890 Triébert C Albert. BTW, I have no affiliation with Jeremy, and speak only as a satisfied customer.
You could do well to run photos of this clarinet by Jeremy and/or another repairman to get some idea of the feasibility and cost of repair.
Klarnetisto
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