Buffet Clarinet Serial Number Chart

Denis Buffet-Auger established a clarinet workshop in 1825 in Paris. Buffet clarinets became widely recognized for their award-winning quality as early as the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris. Buffet clarinets first came to the United States in 1918 and have been sold there since. Because Buffet clarinets have such a long history, determining the model can be exciting, especially if you discover that yours is one of the original--and valuable--models.

1. Buffet Clarinet Serial Numbers
2. Buffet Clarinet Serial Search
3. Buffet E11 Clarinet Serial Numbers

Question: I am looking for the history of my clarinet and cannot find the background on Bb Evette & Schaeffer clarinet Buffet Crampon Paris France serial number K31xxx. Can you help? Can you help? Answer: Coincidentally I also have an Evette and Schaeffer with the serial number K29xxx.

Examine the side of the upper body of the clarinet to find the long, thin key just above the only hole located on the back of the instrument. This is the register key. Beside the top of the register key should be a marking that Buffet uses to identify the model of the clarinet. All Buffet clarinets come stamped with the basic, round logo, so any other distinguishing marks can be used for identification. If there is a letter followed by a number, such as B12' or 'E11,' stamped below the emblem, this is the model of your clarinet.

Check below the emblem for a small, metal plaque or a marking that appears to have held such a plaque at one time. Buffet uses these plaques to identify modern, professional-grade clarinets. Determining the model without the original stamp or plaque involves such technical differences that you will need to enlist the help of an expert.

If the word 'EVETTE' is stamped in the center of your the Buffet emblem, it is one of the company's student- or intermediate-level clarinets from before 1983. A wooden-bodied clarinet with this emblem is a B12 model, and a plastic-bodied is the E11. Some Evettes also may have 'Master Model' stamped below the emblem. These upgraded models were mostly produced before the 1960s.

Buffet Clarinet Serial Numbers

If the emblem stamped on your clarinet has no extra markings, stamps or plaques, it could be one of the highly regarded R13 models. Check your clarinet's serial number, located on the case or on a small stamp on the back of the barrel. If the number is above 50,000, it is likely an R13. You can also look at the 'A' and 'A' flat keys near the top of the clarinet. If the two keys are fused onto a single joint, your clarinet is not an R13.

Links Facebook - Keep up with my latest horns, ask questions, read the (occasionally) witty and erudite comments of my friends and customers. Instagram - Twitter - Pinterest for the latest pics of works in progress and finished horns! Here's myYouTube channel ! http://soulemanmusic.weebly.com/index.html - my website as a performer and teacher here in Huntington WV https://soundcloud.com/jeremy-soule2 - my original music and arrangements of covers ...

Clarinet Forums & Blogs

http://test.woodwind.org/Search/index.html?klarinet_index=klarinet_index is a site that I refer to when I have questions about obscure clarinets. People are happy to share info and they have a huge data base of Q and A.

http://www.8notes.com/ - sheet music for subscribers and a forum for the curious...
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/list.html?f=1 - Q&A, forums, classifieds and more
http://clarinetmike.wordpress.com/ - clarinetist and teacher Michael Dean's blog.

http://www.penzelmuellerfanclub.com/-the name says it all...

Clarinet Serial Numbers

https://www.musictrader.com/serialnumbers?page_id=61is a great site for those trying to find approximate dates for their instruments, both woodwind and brass. However, the numbering chart for Conn instruments is more accurate at http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/otherwise known as 'The Conn Loyalist'.

Boehm, Albert, and Oehler Fingering Charts

Here is the best site I've found for fingerings charts, including, trills and alternate fingerings: way more than I ever wanted to know! http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/

Buffet Clarinet Serial Search

Reeds and other Stuff

Buffet E11 Clarinet Serial Numbers

https://vimeo.com/49414628 - great video about my business from 2012
http://www.ramonwodkowski.com/- Ramon specializes in vintage mouthpieces and refacing, and knows more about old mouthpieces than anyone should...
http://memory.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2012/20121120001ca/20121120001ca.pdf - a 1915 musical instrument catalog - informative and great pics!
http://www.music123.com/productDetail/productDetail.jsp?entSkuId=462672000775000&source=ZWBZWXX- The best price for Fibracell reeds that I've found.
http://www.andyspiano.com/index.html - My friend Andy's site for piano tuning, parts, and restoration in Lynchburg VA.
http://www.windworkrepair.com/ - My friend Isaac's band instrument repair business in Olean NY. He's a talented guy!
http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/News/Newsletter/August2010/ClarinetSoreThroat.html- interesting article about various solutions to the stuffy throat Bb on Boehm clarinets!
https://reed-revolution.lemonstand.com - a monthly reed service - how cool is that? Especially if you live in BFE...

http://www.vandoren-en.com/- The biggest name, if not always the best reed...
http://www.superial.com/home.html- Alexander reeds are wonderful!