CLARINETS DIRECT

020 8893 3172 or 07787 770071

BUFFET BC20 Bb CLARINET, £895

When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon company he felt that though the R13 sold well in the USA different models would be more successful in Europe. The S1, Continentale and BC20, which evolved into the RC, were all attempts to make darker, more focused sounding clarinets.
This is a BC 20 Bb clarinet serial no. F65992 dating to 1961. This, therefore, must be one of the earliest BC20's manufactured, right in the middle of Buffet Crampon's so called "Golden Era" . Most unusually for a BC20, the key work is solid German Silver, not plated. This has been polished in our workshop and is in very good condition. The wood is excellent throughout with no cracks, damage or repairs, excepting the bell, which has two cracks which have been filled and sealed in the past, see photos, 8 & 9. The key regulation is tight and there is no joint wobble. The instrument has had a complete overhaul & re-pad in Pisoni Premium Deluxe fish skin pads and is sold with a full years' Clarinets Direct warranty. The m'piece is a used Vandoren 5RV in good condition. This tunes the instrument right down to A=440Hz, despite the F prefix this instrument does not want to play at A=442! The used case is a modern Buffet in black leather in good condition. .