CLARINETS DIRECT

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BUFFET S1 Bb CLARINET, £1145

A very good condition Buffet S1 Bb clarinet in Silver plate. When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon in the mid 1970's 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. In the case of the S1 this is partly achieved by much less undercutting.
This Bb has matching serial nos. F153517, which dates to 1975 an exceptionally fine period of manufacture at Buffet Crampon, commonly referred to as "The Golden Era".   There is only slight wear to the plating, mainly on the RH rings, the plating is approximately 98%. Indeed the plating and finish on this clarinet is of such a high standard that it contrasts sharply with more recently manufactured professional models from Buffet. The clarinet has just been down to our workshop and the key regulation is tight, there is no joint wobble.  The wood is in good condition, with only minor surface scuffs, there are no cracks or repairs. This clarinet has good condition fish skin pads throughout. The S1 clarinet plays with a robust, focused sound and excellent evenness and intonation. In the past players such as John McCaw and Mitchell Lurie played S1's. The Buffet brown leather case is in fine shape, and the mouthpiece is a used Vandoren B45.