Buffet, S1, A Clarinet
An excellent condition Buffet S1 A Clarinet in silver plate. 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, which became the RC, were all attempts to make darker, more focused sounding clarinets.
This A has matching serial nos. F133993, which dates to 1973, an exceptionally fine period of manufacture at Buffet Crampon. Back then the professional clarinets were made with unstained hand selected wood, these days that wood is reserved only for the more expensive models in the Buffet line up. There is no wear to the plating, which is in pristine order throughout, there is no joint wobble. There is no damage to the wood, which is in fine order.The pads are lightly used fish skin, again in almost "as new" condition. It features an adjustable thumb rest as fitted to a Buffet Prestige model. In addition to the Buffet S/N a further S/N 23189 has been stamped possibly for security reasons. 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 case is also in excellent condition..