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Identifying Buffet Clarinets
or what IS this clarinet I'm looking at!
We receive quite a few emails every year from people that need help identifying a Buffet clarinet that they've purchased, inherited, or otherwise taken possession of. If you think you fall into this category, read on for some self-help!
(A word of caution - this guide should NOT be taken as the final word on an instrument's identity or value, especially if you're trying to buy or sell something that you're not familiar with. The only way to really be sure is to get a hands-on appraisal by an experienced technician or dealer.)
Part 1 -The Logo
IMPORTANT: the ONLY logo that matters is the one engraved into the front of the clarinet's upper joint, opposite the register key and left thumb hole. Any logos on the bell, barrel, lower joint, case, or mouthpiece are less important, and really only matter if they're significantly different than the "main" logo on the upper joint (which may indicate that some of the parts have been switched or replaced). Scroll down this page to see if your logo is in our gallery:
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The basic default Buffet logo.
If this is ALL that you see on the upper joint, you MAY have a professional level R-13 clarinet.
Please click here or scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional help identifying your instrument. |
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A modern Buffet clarinet with the model clearly marked.
This one is a B-12.
If your instrument looks like this, but has a different letter/number combination, the letter/number combination should be the clarinet's official model. |
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A modern Buffet clarinet with the model clearly marked.
This one is an E-11.
If your instrument looks like this, but has a different letter/number combination, the letter/number combination should be the clarinet's official model. |
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A modern professional level Buffet clarinet with the model indicated on a metal plaque.
This one is a Festival.
If your instrument looks like this, but has a different word inside of the plaque, that word should be the clarinet's official model. If it appears as if there should be a plaque, but it's missing, you may need to contact an experienced repair shop or Buffet dealer for additional assistance. |
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An older Buffet Evette series clarinet. The Evette line was Buffet's student and intermediate series up until approximately 1983, when most of Buffet's model designations were changed.
The Plastic-body Evette is equal to today's model B-12.
The Wood-body Evette is equal to today's model E-11. |
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A Buffet Evette "Master Model." These are less common than the standard Evette, and are widely considered to be a somewhat upgraded model. Most are believed to be from the 1960's or earlier, but certainly none were produced after the model changes in 1983.
The closest modern equivalent would likely be the E-12, although we do not believe this was a direct transition. |
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A Buffet "Evette & Schaeffer" clarinet. The Evette & Schaeffer was an upper-level intermediate instrument, not quite up to the performance standards of the professional R-13's, but certainly a very respectable clarinet in its own right.
The Evette & Schaeffer became the modern model E-13 after the model changes in 1983. |
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An Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model" clarinet. Like the Evette Master, this instrument was considered to be an upgrade from the standard Evette & Schaeffer.
There was no direct modern equivalent post-1983, but rumors have suggested that instruments with this designation may have actually been a full R-13 that did not pass inspection or was cosmetically flawed. |
Part 2 - Is it an R-13?
Identifying a clarinet as a "true" modern R-13 can be a bit tricky. Part of the problem is that Buffet has never made it easy by putting "R-13" anywhere on the instrument. In addition, there's no definitive serial number list that can be used to identify which instruments were built as R-13's and which were something else. In fact, it's not 100% clear precisely when the modern R-13 came into existance!
| Step 1 - Look at the Logo
A true R-13 should have the default Buffet logo with no additional words, plaques, or other engraving anywhere nearby. |
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| Step 2 - Check the Serial Number
As mentioned before, there is no definitive cutoff for when the true R-13 went into production. However, there are some general guidelines that will get you into the ballpark. |
Serial number less than 50,000 - probably NOT a true R-13
Serial number between 50,000 and 60,000 - MAY be an R-13
Serial number above 60,000 - well within the "safe" range of true R-13's |
| Step 3 - Look at the A/Ab Keys
If the clarinet's serial number falls within the "gray area" between 50,000 and 60,000, a close look at the A and Ab keys on the upper joint can help.
The left picture shows the keys from an instrument too old to be an R-13 - notice that the pivot rods on these 2 keys share a corner post, forming a backwards "L" shape.
The right picture shows a true modern R-13. On this instrument the A and Ab keys do not share a corner post but instead have completely separate pivot rods.
(click the photos for a larger view) |
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Still not sure what you have? This is about as much as we can tell you without seeing the instrument in person (or at least seeing some clear photos of the instrument and logo), so stop by our store or send us an email and we'll see what we can do!
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