Expert: Kenton Scott - 2/6/2006

Question
I have recently purchased a pair of Buffet Vintage clarinets which appear to be in excellent original condition. They were found in a old Victorian house in San Francisco, in a double case,(I believe it to be the original case), when cleaning out an estate. The serial numbers are X38 and R821.  The wood I think is in good condition but badly in need of refubishment and cleaning. The keys are perfect and in alignment. The person I obtained them from was under the impression that the case was unopened for many decades. I of course checked the Buffet website and found the year of origination to be 1902 and 1905. One has the buffet markings with C. Fischer New York and HP. The other does not have the HP.  They had 3 mouth pieces with the package, 2 marked with the buffet logo and EVETTINE accross the middle, the other just has the Buffet logo and is wooden.  Is there anything special about these clarinets other than their age, the only information I have found about them is the year they were made. What is the approximate value of these instruments once restored. Also their was an extra Buffet Barrel included with a silver ring around the middle of it and what appears to be a medal bore fitting inside. I think this is a tunable barrel which I believe are not made by buffet anymore. I do play clarinet, I have a  vintage 1950 Buffet prof model that I play. I live in the New orleans area. Also the ring hole 2nd frome top is a donut ring which I believe they haven't made for a very long time. Any info on these clarinets would be greatly appreciated, as for the value for them after being restored, and if they are considered to be sought after instruments.
Thank You For Your Time,
Joseph Caronna


Answer
Joe,

I answered your inquiry once before, but apparently it got lost in netherland.

Anyway, I suspect you may know as much or more about woodwinds than I do.  

But, I would think that the one horn marked HP (high pitch) would not be as valuable since it wouldn't play in tune with modern ensembles.  It isn't like brass instrument that you can make tubing adjustments to bring them down to pitch. I wouldn't think that a tunable barrel would work particularly well on a clarinet as all the holes would be slightly in the wrong location.

Carl Fisher would have been the agent who was marketing them in this country.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

kms