CLARINETS DIRECT

020 8893 3172 or 07787 770071

BUFFET RR13 ACADEMY Bb CLARINET, £895

An extremely rare " Academy Model" vintage Buffet R13. This is an R13 "Second". In the 1950's when a fault occured during, or was noticed after, R13 manufacture the instrument was stamped " Academy", and sold at an approx. 20% discount on the R13 price. In the case of this clarinet the only obvious blemish appears to be a small chip to the wood almost directly above the main stamp to the upper joint, just below the tenon, see photos 4 & 5.
The German Silver key work is pristine throughout. Apart from the aforementioned chip the wood is in good condition with no cracks or damage, only slight surface marks. The instrument has recently been re-padded in tan leather pads. All pieces are original, matching and stamped "Academy", but there is also an additional barrel, which is shorter, and is not stamped Buffet. The matching serial nos. are 42718 which dates to 1953. Back then this was the finest professional instrument Buffet made, with unstained, matched wood. This was before the introduction of the ""Prestige" range, which effectively downgraded the standard R13 considerably. These days R13's are made from inferior quality wood which is stained to hide imperfections. Buffet are currently attempting to recreate this Gold standard of manufacture in their current "Vintage R13" range please go to www.buffetcrampon.com for more details. The case is the original Buffet, worn but fully functional. The m'piece is a new student model.