Buffet, S1, B Flat Clarinet
A very good condition Buffet S1 Bb clarinet, which is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon in the mid 1970's he felt that though the R13 sold well in the USA different models would be more successful in Europe. The S1, Continentale and BC20, were all attempts to make darker, more focused sounding clarinets. In the case of the S1 this is partly achieved by much less undercutting.
This clarinet has matching serial nos. 150299, which dates to late 1974, and this period is commonly referred to as the "Golden Era" of Buffet manufacture. The instrument has silver plate in very good condition, with no wear. The clarinet has just been down to our workshop for a thorough check down, with tenon and touch corks replaced as necessary. The wood condition overall is good, with no cracks or repairs, only minor surface marks. There are 2 supplied barrels, a 63mm and 66mm. The S1 clarinet plays with a robust, focused sound and excellent evenness and intonation. In the past players such as John McCaw and Mitchell Lurie played S1's. The supplied case is brand new.