Most people are really only familiar with one of these two variants of E11 as it was they were the longest in production. At some point in production, the German made Buffet E11 was transitioned to silver plated keys, though I do not have the exact date for this transition. The original Buffet E11 was made in West Germany and was made with nickel plated keys.
Sadly, there has been much misinformation as to what really was going on with the E11 out there that it has led me to write this post to try to help clear things up. As you can imagine, this can become quite confusing even for those “in the know”. Since 2008, there have been 4 separate versions of the E11 Bb clarinet. While these terms mean different things depending on who you asked, the simple fact was that the E11 was easy for any student to move to from their plastic student model (Buffet or not) and get a noticeably improved tone. However, in Europe, the clarinet was also known as a “Student Wood” model.
The first model offered by the maker made from Grenadilla wood, this clarinet was commonly referred in the USA as Buffet’s “Intermediate” model. One of the most popular models is the Buffet E11. From student to teacher, amateur to professional, almost every clarinet player has at some time played on a Buffet clarinet. No name is more known in the clarinet world than Buffet. I have updated it along with moving it here to provide better clarity for readers on the topic. This post is a revised version of a blog post from my old blog from several years ago.
#Buffet clarinet serial numbers chart series#
Today, Buffet Crampon produces three series of saxophones: 100 Series, 400 Series and since 2013, the Senzo alto saxophone.The Confusing History of the Buffet E11 Clarinet They were the first to manufacture saxophones, besides those made by Adolphe Sax himself. Introduced in March 2012 as Buffet's top of the line modelĪs early as 1866, Buffet Crampon was producing its first saxophones, 20 years after the invention of this instrument by the Belgian Adolphe Sax. Introduced in 2003 has unique bore design and reshaped keywork has auxiliary Eb key and low F correction key Smaller bore than R13 model more popular in Europe has additional alternate left-hand Eb/Ab leverĬurrently being produced only for Lohff and Pfeiffer of Denmark replaced on a larger scale by the Tosca all reinforcing rings were of black polycarbonate fiber Made from highest quality unstained grenadilla wood has additional alternate left-hand Eb/Ab lever Has R13 bore with denser wood register key is 1 mm higher than on a standard R13 has additional alternate left-hand Eb/Ab lever Replaced the S1 closer to the original 1950's R13 bore design
#Buffet clarinet serial numbers chart professional#
Most popular professional model, named after its designer, Robert CarréeĮvolved from the R13 model with distinctive barrel and bell shape developed in 1974 with the assistance of the luthier Robert Carrée, for whom the model is named Įquivalent to the R13 manufactured in the 1970s and early 80s designed to have an inverse taper barrel and a bore similar to earlier R13 clarinets Semi-professional model, also known as the C12 model Made in China / France also known as the 'Limité'Įntry level semi-professional model, also known as the C13 model Made in France / Germany introduced September 2012 Made in China / France succeeded by E12F model
Made in China / Germany more commonly sold in the United States B♭ clarinet RC Prestige, nikel-plated B♭ soprano clarinets Student Model