To my understanding, all of the clarinets manufactured in France by Buffet are placed in one style or another. Shiny doesn’t matter, but condition of the body, pads, bore, springs and corks do. Ont thing for sure, it is a Buffet Clarinet, but not the R-13 or the Prestige, or others It is an Evette-Schaeffer Master Model which is a cut below that of the highest and best Buffets. I can give you as much information as I can, but as to the actualy beauty of the clarinet, it’s in intonation, its bore, its basic playability in the hands of a clarinetist, there is nobocy who can give you conclusive comments, because it is a matter of opinion based upon a combination of the different players who may evaluate it. Thank you for your letter about the clarinet with the doubtful provenance. Thank you for any information you can give me. My clarinet is still shiny and new-looking. Plus, my clarinet’s case is like new some of the cases I’ve seen on eBay are in terrible shape. Are there people who appraise only musical instruments? I’ve seen Evette & Schaeffer Buffet Clarinets on eBay, but none that match mine. Where would I go to get my clarinet appraised? I’d like to find out what it’s worth. I’d like to sell my clarinet – I’d like to see it in the hands of a good student who would appreciate it. Since I had to have a root canal done on a front tooth and had to have a crown put on, I’m not going to be able to play the clarinet anymore the crown just wouldn’t take the pressure (plus I no longer have health insurance and so can’t afford to damage the crown). It has no cracks – I’ve always taken excellent care of it because I know my parents had to really scrape to provide me with a good clarinet (or what we all thought was a good clarinet?). I recently had it completely overhauled – all it needed were new pads and corks and a general checkup.
So my question is: is this a Buffet clarinet, an Evette & Schaeffer Buffet clarinet, or what is it? All I know is that it has the most wonderful tone. Beneath, and outside of the oval, are joined cursive letters “BC”, and beneath that are the words “Made in France.” Inside the oval, at the top, following the inside curve of the oval is the name “Buffet” centered inside the oval are the words, in cursive, “Crampon & Cie.” Inside and at the bottom of the oval are the words “A Paris”, following the curve of the oval. This logo has an engraved lyre which is on top and outside of an oval. On each of the two barrels which came with the clarinet, there’s an entirely different logo.
Also at the bottom on the back of the bottom joint, right above the serial number, are engraved the words “made in France.”
A serial number (K9463) is engrave on the back of the top and bottom joints, at the bottom. Is the word “France.” Outside of the oval, following the bottom curve of the oval are the words “Modele Buffet Crampon.” This same logo appears on the lower joint of the clarinet and the bell. Inside the oval at the top are the names “Evette & Schaeffer” centered inside the oval is the word “Paris” at the bottom inside the oval Above and outside of the the oval are the words “Master Model” (the words follow the curve of the oval). On the top joint of the clarinet is an oval. The clarinet came in a hard case with blue velvet lining. I’m rather confused about the brand of my clarinet. As I progressed on the clarinet in high school, my parents bought me what they thought was a Buffet clarinet. I’m sure you probably get many questions about the Evette & Schaeffer Buffet Crampon clarinets, since so many people seem so confused about them.