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BUFFET S1 Bb CLARINET, £1195

A very fine 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 on the upper joint. Basically the polycylindrical bore design of the S1 differs only slightly from that of the R13.
This Bb has matching serial nos. F206102, which dates to 1980. At this point in time Buffet Crampon had not been taken over by Boosey & Hawkes, and had not been forced to overproduce to meet the shortfall in supply left by the cessation of Boosey's own clarinet manufacture at the Edgeware factory in London. 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 had a complete overhaul in fish skin pads in our workshop, with all tenon and touch corks replaced. It is "as new" and is sold with our full 1 year warranty. The regulation is tight, there is no joint wobble.  The wood is in good condition, with only minor surface marks, there are no cracks or repairs, excepting the bell which has a repair to the bell bottom, see photo 9. This is an old stable repair which has no affect on the bore or response. 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 original Buffet case in black leather is functional, but has slight stains to the interior, as well as exterior scuffs. The m'piece is a used Buffet C in ebonite in good condition.