Buffet, S1, A Clarinet
A very fine 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. F143002, which dates to 1974, an exceptionally fine period of manufacture at Buffet Crampon commonly known as the "Golden Era". It features a LH Ab/Eb key which makes the specification identical to a current Buffet Prestige model. 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, though there is a carbon fibre band encircling the upper joint, see photos 5 & 6. We have completely stripped down the clarinet, and there is no evidence of a crack, the bore is in good condition. The pads are lightly used white leather and cork in excellent condition. This A now comes with an additional, longer 65mm, Buffet barrel. NB Not pictured. 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 in excellent condition.