Buffet, RC Prestige, Basset Horn
A superb condition Buffet RC Prestige Basset Horn. When the great Swiss designer, Rene Hagmann was asked to act as a consultant and designer to Buffet in the 1990s two exceptional designs were the result: The Buffet Prestige Bass and Basset Horn. Both designs demonstrated a fresh and innovative approach to acoustical problems, which solved many of the flaws heretofore associated with these types of harmony clarinets. In the case of this Basset Horn some of the many features include a new special vent for the throat F#, at the back of the instrument, a vent hole in RH 1, to correct a stuffy middle finger B, and improve the tuning on clarion F#. A steel rod passing through the body of the instrument bore to actuate the pads for the bottom 2 pitches with precision, see last photo 5. The design also includes a complete revision of all the lower pads, and mean that the low C is on the wooden body of the instrument, with a vent hole on the bell. The overblowing speaker key mechanism was also re-designed for improved reliability and acoustics. The result was a superb Basset Horn which unfortunately Buffet decided to stop manufacturing for cost saving reasons in the early 2000s [just like the Bass]. Buffet then started offering a simplified version, less acoustically brilliant, yet keeping the asking price the same, or greater. A great pity for clarinettists worldwide. This instrument was bought new by its' sole amateur owner in the 1990s, and has been used only occasionally.
It is in pristine condition, with near perfect silver plating [ the only wear is to the rear thumb rest were a plastic cover has caused a small patch of plating loss, see photo 4]. The Grenadilla wood is pristine throughout. It has white leather and cork pads all of which are in excellent condition. The rear thumb keys actuate low D, C#, and C, with an alternative Ds on the LH & RH pinky clusters.
The matching serial numbers are 33523. The supplied m'piece is a used Vandoren 5RV, and a sling is included as is the still wrapped key for the case. The current list price for a Buffet Basset Horn is over £12000, but, as mentioned before this is an inferior design, both acoustically and ergonomically, compared to this example.