CLARINETS DIRECT

020 885811113 or 07787 770071

BUFFET RC A CLARINET, £1295

An extremely fine Buffet RC clarinet in A. This instrument is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon 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 became the RC, were all attempts to make darker, more focused sounding clarinets. This instrument was the finest and most expensive Buffet clarinet of the period, priced at approximately 15% more than the contemporary R13. The RC model did sell very well: It had a more relaxed warm tone than the R13, which attracted many UK players. This instrument would pair well with no.13 on the "clarinets" page.
This A has S/N 259168, which dates to 1984, there is no damage to the wood, which is in superb condition. In the past the thumb rest has been positioned slightly lower, about 5mm, and the original screw holes have been left unfilled. It would be possible therefore, to move this back, if desired. The Nickel silver plate is also in excellent shape, around 98%. The instrument has just been overhauled by Clarinets Direct, with pads replaced as necessary. In addition, the key work has been swaged, to remove play, and realigned and regulated. This clarinet plays with a dark, focused sound and excellent evenness and intonation. It was manufactured as Buffet's top professional instrument with unstained Grenadilla wood. Today one would have to spend over £3000 on an RC Prestige instrument, and choose from a large number of examples, to get anything of like quality. The mouthpiece is an "as new" stock Buffet. The case is a BAM original, with some wear to the lining, however all the zips function well.