Rare Buffet Crampon Pre-R13 Full Boehm R16-3/4 Clarinet!
We are pleased to offer for sale this hard-to-find Buffet pre-R13 full-boehm clarinet in Bb! S/n 171XX makes this about 1935. While Buffet likely called it a “Master Bore w/ extra keys” at the time, the later Fischer catalog would have listed it as an “(pre) R16-3/4.” It includes lots of keys not found on a standard clarinet: articulated C#/G#, auxiliary left Eb/Ab lever, RH C#/G# trill, low Eb, and the forked Eb mechanism on the upper allowing you to play the forked Eb fingering.
It is in excellent condition: the lower has one short, repaired crack in the lower socket which is done so nicely I could hardly find it to photograph it. The socket is metal lined and is thus non-weightbearing, so this should never be a problem. No other cracks or repairs. Metal capped tenons on the upper joint to prevent cracking. Overhauled in white kid leather just prior to us acquiring it, and further just through our shop where it was bore oiled, had two pads on the upper switched to cork and Valentino Master’s pads so they’re smoother across the bridge, and was nicely regulated and brought into marvelous playing condition.
Low-pitch—plays almost perfectly in tune at A440 with the included barrel and the Fobes mouthpiece we use to test clarinets, though this of course will be affected by your own mouthpiece rig and technique. Plays with a huge, dark sound—much more freeblowing than an R13 as one would expect from a larger, conical bore clarinet. A great jazz and big band horn with tons of alternative fingerings to get you around some of that crazy fast improv. I will say that the ergonomics take a minute to get used to, so plan on giving yourself some time to learn not to accidentally hit the low Eb and to find the left Eb lever.
Comes in an 80’s-style Buffet case with a new handle and some external wear, gold hardware, and both keys. A rare, fun-to-play instrument that with bragging rights to the rest of the clarinet section, and rarely found in this condition!