Matched Pair of Buffet R13 UK Stamp Clarinets
An excellent condition pair of Buffet R13 "UK" stamp clarinets, which are a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. These instruments have had only one UK based owner. When Alan Lucas became managing director of Buffet UK Ltd he made strenuous efforts to offer outstanding value, well manufactured clarinets to the UK market. At the forefront of this were the famous "UK" stamp model Buffet R13 and E13 clarinets which set a new bench mark of affordable quality in the UK, which ultimately resulted in Boosey & Hawkes acquisition of Buffet.
There is no damage to the wood, which is crack and repair free, and in fine order. The Nickel Silver plated key work is excellent throughout, with no wear, in fact it is in such good condition it could be mistaken for silver plate. The matching serial nos. on the Bb are 148882 which dates to 1974. Back then these were the finest professional instruments Buffet made, with unstained, hand selected matched wood. This was before the introduction of the "Prestige" range, which effectively downgraded the standard R13 considerably. These days R13's are made from inferior quality wood which is stained to hide imperfections. Buffet are currently attempting to recreate this standard of manufacture in their current "Vintage R13" range, please go to www.buffetcrampon.com for more details.
Both instruments have just had a complete overhaul in our workshop in fish skin pads, and are sold with our full 1 year warranty. All pieces are matching and original. The A has matching serial numbers 147381, like the Bb it dates to 1974. There are 3 barrels of 63.5mm, 64.5mm and 66mm. The supplied double case is a BAM in used condition, and the supplied m'pieces are a used Vandoren 5RV Lyre & a Buffet original. These instruments plays extremely well, with an excellent scale and very fine intonation.