Pair of Buffet BC20 Clarinets
When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon company he felt that though the R13 sold well in the USA different models would be more successful in Europe. The S1, Continentale and BC20, which evolved into the RC, were all attempts to make darker, more focused sounding clarinets. These days Buffet Crampon is attempting to recapture the former manufacturing excellence of the BC 20 in their current BC21 model.
These are a fine condition pair of BC20 Bb clarinets, which are a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. The Bb has matching serial nos. F76892 dating to 1966, the A matching serial nos. F105018, dating to 1968, at this period Buffet Crampon were making only a limited number of extremely fine professional clarinets and quality control at Buffet had not suffered the decline it was to undergo later. For this reason this period is commonly referred to as Buffet's "Golden Era". Buffet Crampon described this model as being designed for Recital and Orchestral playing. The nickel silver plated key work on the Bb shows some wear throughout, mainly to to the ring finger keys. The wood is excellent throughout with no cracks, damage or repairs. The key regulation is tight and there is no joint wobble. The Bb has good condition tan leather pads. All are sealing well. The A has silver plating and wood in very good condition, with fish skin pads which are lightly used and sealing well. Both instruments feature a stamped bell, with the logo of the supplying dealer. The sturdy case is also in good condition. The last owner used a Kooiman thumb rest, which we include, but the oiginal thumb rests have been re-fitted with the screw holes filled