Buffet, RC A Clarinet
An extremely fine Buffet RC clarinet in A, which has just been taken in part exchange by ourselves from a UK professional. When the American investor Martin Tolchin bought Buffet Crampon 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 instrument was the finest and most expensive Buffet clarinet of the period, before the introduction of the Prestige range, and was priced at approximately 15% more than the contemporary R13. The RC model did sell very well: It had a more relaxed warm tone than the R13, which attracted many UK players.
This A has S/N 217122, which dates to 1981, there is no damage to the wood, which is in fine condition. The Silver plate is also in excellent shape. The clarinet has had a thorough check down in our workshop. It has tan leather pads throughout which are in good used condition. There is no joint wobble, all touch and tenon corks are good. This clarinet plays with a dark, focused sound and excellent evenness and intonation. It was manufactured as Buffet's top professional instrument with unstained Grenadilla wood. The supplied Orly double case is also in very good condition.