CLARINETS DIRECT

020 85811113 or 07787 770071

PAIR OF BUFFET CRAMPON R13 CLARINETS, £2795

An extremely fine pair of Buffet R13 clarinets in Silver plate, which are a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. These one owner instruments were hand chosen by a London professional, from many other examples, and have been extremely well cared for and maintained. The condition is almost perfect. Buffet changed the speaker tube position of the R13 in the late 1990's, placing it higher. A lot of professional players feel that the earlier design was better: Not only in terms of tuning, but also in that the typically lively and projected R13 sound was to some extent compromised by the re-design. The Buffet R13 design dates from the 1950's, and the model has gone through constant revision and alteration through the decades that it has been in manufacture. Though once the flagship design of the Buffet line up, these days the basic R13 is, in fact, of generally poor finish, and made from inferior wood, the best being reserved for the more expensive models in the current Buffet range. For that reason early R13's are often superior in quality to contemporary manufacture.
The Bb S/N 283677 was bought new in 1987, there is no damage to the wood, which is crack and repair free. All pieces are matching and original and stamped "Buffet". The Silver plating overall is excellent with no discernible wear. This Bb is in pristine condition, with no damage or repairs to the Grenadilla wood. The pair were overhauled, at a cost of £373.50, on 15th May this year, and have not been played since. The invoice detailing the work is included in the sale. The A S/N 285328 is also in immaculate condition. The pads are fish skin throughout, and an additional 64mm Buffet barrel is included for tuning. The supplied original Buffet brown leather case is in excellent condition externally, and the interior lining shows little wear, however it has pulled slightly away from the case at the front. The m'piece is an upgrade to a professional Vandoren, which again, is in excellent condition. If desired the pair can be split as follows: R13 A in double case with Buffet m'piece for £1395. R13 Bb in new single case with 5RV m'piece for £1345.