The Buffet Clarinet Range at 2016
Introduction
The Buffet (Paris) Company has a grand tradition of making woodwind instruments dating back to 1825 and in its French factory in Mantes-la-Ville since 1850. The firm has earned a worldwide recognition for fine clarinets and they have developed a range of instrument options to suit the preferences and requirements of virtually any player - from beginner to the finest professional musicians. As the Buffet range is now quite vast I thought that a short summary of the differences, as I and many customers have found them, would be useful for anyone contemplating a purchase or just interested in a more thorough understanding of these fine instruments. I do not propose an engineering review full of specifications and key work listings or a detailed history of manufacturing - the Buffet website (www.buffet-crampon.com) or this encyclopaedia entry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffet_Crampon) can provide such information. Rather, I would like to pass on my observations and my understanding of the intended performance characteristics and the nature of the different Buffet models while highlighting some of the subtle differences between them.
The Student Range
B12 - This model has been very popular ever since its introduction and it remains the
industry standard student clarinet and for good reasons. The ABS resin body is
lightweight and the tone holes are comfortable to cover for all but the
smallest of fingers. The tone is resonant and sound is easily produced to be
encouraging for the younger, often primary school aged beginner. Silver plated key work, fish skin pads and a
wood-look finish are nice touches that link the B12 to the rest of the Buffet
range.
B10 - This model has a more recent
history and was introduced primarily as a production cost savings over the
student B12. It has no metal bell or body rings and the key work is less
refined than the B12 and it is nickel-plated. The B10 is however durable, uses synthetic pads
and is easy to maintain. For longer-term satisfaction I prefer the B12.
E11 - The first wooden clarinet in
the current range the E11 has a more interesting sound than the plastic bodied
models and its greater weight makes is more satisfying both to hold and to blow for an
improving player. The key work is nickel-plated and traditional bladder pads
are used. It is manufactured in Germany. I consider this a budget value wooden
instrument. The E11 has had a good reception on the Continent where it often recommended as a first clarinet for learners.
The Intermediate Range
E12F - This model is a new
collaboration (first released 2012) between the French factory where the wooden
body (derived from professional models) is produced and the German production facility in Markneukirchen
where key work assembly takes place. This hybrid model offers exceptional
performance at its price point. Some cost saving choices have been made including the lack of a bell rim ring and the use of stained and stabilised wood however good quality leather pads are used and the resonance is noticeably
improved over the student range models.
E13 - For over 40 years this model
has been the most often recommended of all intermediate clarinets and a great
product for Buffet. Recent innovations including leather pads, a new bell
(based on the RC professional bell), low F regulation screw and choice of case
options have only help to confirm the desirability of the E13. It's internal
taper - a unique design in the Buffet range - colourful sound, high quality
finish and ease of tone production all contribute to making this an exceptional
value upgrade clarinet. Manufactured entirely in France.
The Professional Range
R13 - Since its creation in 1955
(by Robert Carre, one of the greatest designers in Buffet history) the Buffet
R13 has been the company's flagship professional model. Very popular in the USA
for its all round qualities of projection, brilliant tone and flexibility in
all idioms the R13 is the standard against which all professional clarinets are
judged. It is the first instrument in the Buffet range to be offered at A440
tuning contributing to its popularity in the USA and UK markets.
RC - Robert Carre's innovative
polycylindrical bore design and distinctive internal taper were introduced to create
additional warmth and tonal centre to the already successful R13 clarinet for
this, his namesake, model. These characteristics have made the RC a very
popular choice with orchestral and chamber music performers for many decades.
It continues to be preferred by many for the roundness and beauty of its tone.
Supplied with two barrels for A440 or A442 pitch.
Conservatoire - Less well known in
the UK this model is never the less popular on the continent in Europe and is a
reliable and respected instrument recommended to many aspiring professionals.
The Advanced Professional Prestige Range
R13 Prestige - The performance
qualities of the R13 but made from the finest natural, unstained, Blackwood for
the best possible resonance and the additional features of metal-capped tenons,
left hand Ab/Eb key, superior Gortex pads and a deluxe leather case.
RC Prestige - The performance
qualities of the RC but made from the finest natural, unstained, Blackwood for
the best possible resonance and the additional features of metal-capped tenons,
left hand Ab/Eb key, superior Gortex pads and a deluxe leather case.
Festival Prestige - A distinctive
model in the Prestige range the Festival originated from a collaboration of top
French clarinettists, Jacques Lancelot, Guy Deplus and Michel Arrignon. It
shares all the extra features of the other Prestige models but is supplied with
two barrels and a distinctive repositioned register key vent for enhanced
response of the upper register and improved focus for the throat Bb. A very
popular professional choice on the continent. Supplied with two barrels for
A440 or A442 pitch.
Tosca - Another example of recent
artistic design collaboration by Buffet with Michel Arrignon the Tosca is an
elegant styling based upon the R13 bore clarinet with innovations in keywork
including a low F correction key and new design touch pieces. The Tosca has
gained many followers since its introduction this Century. Supplied with two
barrels for A440 or A442 pitch.
Divine - Designer Paul Meyer bases
this most recent introduction to the top professional Buffet range, the Divine,
upon the bore of the RC clarinet with acoustic and technical innovations.
Uniquely the Divine upper joint incorporates Green Line technology on the
lining of several tone holes and carbon wire based key work that helps to
reduce weight and allow for greater vibration. The innovation extends to a most
elegant glass fibre case as one might expect for this most luxurious of
clarinets. Supplied with two barrels for A440 or A442 pitch.
A note on Buffet Greenline technology
The patented Buffet Greenline
process is a reconstitution of the Grenadilla wood residue otherwise lost
during the process of turning of the clarinet body and the boring of tone holes
with a powder (resin like glue) that binds the residue once again into blocks
(billets), which are then bored or drilled just like the original wood. However,
crucially, these Greenline billets are without a grain and are therefore
virtually cracks due to water absorption or temperature fluctuation are
virtually impossible making Greenline the ideal material to use in any
challenging conditions. Instruments made using this material are slightly
heavier than those in natural wood and, as the Greenline material is denser,
they have a slightly altered resonance. I believe Greenline material instruments sound more brilliant and slightly less warm than their wooden
equivalents.
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The comments and observations above are the result of many years of providing help and advice, my personal interest and study, and the teaching that I have done during my career. I have many colleagues and teachers to thank for sharing their thoughts and suggestions on this and other topics. In addition I am indebted to Woodwind & Reed, Cambridge ( www.wwr.co.uk ) where, in the course of helping customers and speaking with colleagues and manufacturers, many of these my thoughts have been refined.
Thomas
Dryer-Beers
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