Buffet Crampon Evette & Schaeffer Master Model Advanced Clarinet
One of several intermediate and professional clarinets we are offering for sale. This is a Buffet Crampon Evette & Schaeffer Master Model clarinet. S/n K81XX makes this a vintage 1959, sold alongside the professional models of the day as their highest intermediate model. A couple things related to the specifics of this instrument compared to other Buffet clarinets you may be looking at: First, it is not an Evette Master Model but an Evette & Schaeffer Master model—their absolute, top-of-the line intermediate horn at the time. Second, it is a K-series E&S, commonly recognized as the best run of all the E&S instruments. Third—while not a lot of information is known about the Master Models, they were made in France (not Germany) and often assumed to have started the journey to becoming an R13, but didn’t quite make the cut due to some cosmetic flaw or some other minor issue. What Buffet said about them in the catalog is, “Instruments that embody
considerable hand craftsmanship, as do all the Buffet products, will vary
slightly from instrument to instrument. Those Evette & Schaeffer clarinets that
surpass the superb quality characteristic of al E&S instruments, are set aside
to comprise the ME-13 Master Model Evette & Schaeffer clarinets.” In a 1969 catalog, the price is shown as $299 compared to the E13 at $249. So, in Buffet’s opinion, this is one of the best of all the intermediate clarinets that came off the line that year, and worth marking up an extra 25%!
This one is in very good condition: There is a small sliver off the edge of the middle tenon which is cosmetic in nature and not worth repairing, and repaired cracks in the bell—done so nicely that they’re hard to see from the outside and will never be a problem. Plating is about 98% with just a very little bit of wear. Just through the shop where it was cleaned, bore oiled, had two tenon corks replaced, and was repadded with new Ferree’s double-bladder, pressed-felt pads—a superb, reliable pad that preserves the original feel and timbre of the instrument. Plays very well across the entire instrument with a big, dark tone firm, even feel to the keywork. Key oil and cork grease are for local pickup only and won’t be shipped, but it does include a vintage Buffet mouthpiece in a “C” facing, cap, Rovner or Rovner-style inverted ligature, ReedGard 4-space reed holder, reed trimmer (missing the lever, but you can press the cutter manually and it works fine,) a new ProTec microfiber cloth and a new SuperSlick chamois swab. All in the original case which is itself in very good condition.
An exceptional intermediate clarinet--several steps above an E11 and about $1,800 less than an E12F!
