CLARINETS DIRECT

020 85811113 or 07787 770071

BUFFET R13 Bb CLARINET, £1345

An excellent condition Buffet R13 Bb clarinet, whch was a special order from Buffet. This instrument is an enhanced Boehm model with 7 rings, which usefully allows for a forked Eb/Bb in the left hand, articulated C sharp/G sharp, and left hand Ab/Eb. Thus the keywork options on this instrument are superior to those on the current Prestige range. The matching serial numbers are F186484 which date to 1978, an excellent period of R13 manufacture. Total manufacture of all professional models averaged 6000-7000 per year, which contasts sharply with the current 80,000 a year. 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. Certainly this instrument will not disappoint; the quality of scale and intonation are everything one has come to expect from this period of careful hand manufacture.
The instrument has just had an overhaul in our workshop, in fish skin pads, and is sold with our full 1 year warranty. The Grenadilla wood is crack and repair free, indeed in excellent condition throughout. The Silver plated key work is pristine, which is testament to the quality of older Buffet plating. All pieces are original with matching Buffet stamps. The m'piece is a used Vandoren B45 in ebonite in good condition.