Matched Pair of Buffet RC Clarinets
An extremely fine pair of Buffet RC clarinets in silver plate. These instruments are a one professional owner pair, which were bought new, after having being selected from many examples. and extensively used in London in many of the finest professional orchestras. They have just had a complete restoration on our workshop, including all the keys being re-plated in silver plate at Best Electro of Crawley, the acknowledged industry leaders for this work. After that, both clarinets have had a full and complete overhaul at our workshop, in fish skin pads, and are sold with our 1 year warranty.
The Bb has matching S/N 450245, the A has matching S/N 436498, both date to the late 1990s. The Buffet RC model was launched in 1975, and named after Robert Carree, who had had a long career with Buffet Crampon, which culminated in him being chief designer. The RC places the speaker tube higher, and features a slighter wider initial polycylindrical bore than the R13. Most players find this results in a warmer, more "spread" tone, than the R13. The wood is in overall very good condition, but there is one minor chip to the outside edge of the upper joint lower tenon of the A, see photo 4, this has no effect on the response and is completely hidden when the instrument is assembled The pair come with 3 barrels, two original RC barrels of 67, and 66mm, and a more modern Greenline RC barrel of 65mm. The supplied mouthpiece is an upgrade to a professional model Vandoren B45 spot, and the case is a modern Buffet leather pouchette example in excellent condition. In summation these are a superb pair of RCs with excellent intonation and response, which would well suit a professional player or dedicated amateur. .