CLARINETS DIRECT

020 85811113 or 07787 770071

MATCHED PAIR OF BUFFET VINTAGE CLARINETS, £2595

An exceptionally rare, and unique pair of superb condition early Buffet clarinets. This pair have been professionally owned and played in the Netherlands. These instruments have a larger bore of 15.0 mm, and larger tone holes than the contemporary Buffet's. The result is a free and easy playing pair, with excellent intonation, and none of the third register problems inherent in the polycylindrical design. The drawbacks are flatter notes on low E and F, but to some extent this is corrected by the fact that, at this period, Buffet reamed the neck of the bell, continuing the flare of the lower joint: this does result in exceptionally even response across into the second register, a pity this is no longer standard practise. This pair also feature a unique custom designed articulated C#/G# mechanism which ingeniously works off a separate pilar mounting for C#/G# at the bottom of the upper joint. This weaker spring is then overidden by a linkage connected to the RH rings.
The Bb has serial number 85M dating to 1899. It is in very good condition, and amazingly has no cracks. The wood shows some surface scratches and marks, but for a clarinet of this age, it is in remarkable condition. Both instruments have just been entirely re-padded in double bladder fish skin pads, in our workshop, with the exception of the register key, which is in cork. The instruments are sold with our full 1 year warranty. The excellent quality key work is mainly of German Silver, though some of the key barrels are actually solid silver. The stamps read "Buffet Brevette SGDG". All pieces are matching and original. The key regulation is excellent and there is no joint wobble. There is an original Buffet wooden m'piece but it is badly damaged. It is included should the new owner wish to have it copied.
A, S/N 84M, dates to 1899. Is is in excellent condition throughout, with no cracks or repairs to the wood, the surface condition is superb. The instrument has abviously had very little use. The keywork is also pristine. Again we have just completely re-padded in double bladder fishskin, and the instrument is sold with our full 1 year warranty. A cut down Selmer C85 120 m'piece is included, which does play the pair at A=440 Hz. These instruments would make an excellent addition to a period players inventory, or possibly, might delight a collector of rare, historic clarinets. The case is the original Buffet, in good condition, and it still latches perfectly!