Early Buffet R13 clarinet comparison-1963, 1962, 1961, 1959, 1957 German Silver Keywork

These are all real Buffet R13's...but the solid German silver keywork, and differences in thickness of walls and tone hole placements creates horns of various levels of "vintage" feel and sound. Personally I love the tone on all of these, but I wouldn't necessarily play all of them in every gig with the same enthusiasm. Which is your favorite?

[@batsai]

I have to dig out my first R13- 90xxx series. Mr. Marcellus picked it out for my teacher. I loved that horn.

[@DaleFedele]

I just got a 94xxx and I have to say it might be my new favorite! To my understanding he switched to an 87xxx in 1965

[@jerryr574]

1st...So very happy I found your page... These comparisons are great... I most like the 71,xxx and 68,xxx with your modified barrel. Made me immediately bring out my Bb R13.. 74,000 series which was purchased new for me way back when. As primarily a sax man, I mostly only occasionally doubled on clarinet in recent years.. but you've inspired me to get in shape again... your tone is so very warm and beautiful... which leads me to a few questions for guidance on knowing and refreshing my set up. 1st: How would I know if the keys are the nickel plated v. German silver version since my serial number appears to be right on the cusp of changeover per your discussion ? and (2) recommendations on mouthpiece and barrel upgrades would be most appreciated and (3) recommendations on where to look for check-iups and overhauls.. Thank you kindly !

[@DaleFedele]

Hello Jerry! Thank you very very much for your kind words. The very first golden era I ever had was 74,000. I later found out the great Harold Wright at one point played a 74,000! Those are some of my favorite horns ever. They are the very first nickel plated. A few months ago I got a mint condition 72,000 and it is also nickel plated! Though I like the sound of the German silver horns, ultimately I play the nickel plated horns. I think there's something just more acceptable in ensembles today, they're easier to blend. It did take me a long time to come to this decision though! I bet your Buffet is amazing. Those 74,000 are among the very best I've ever played!

[@billducker7404]

Great sound Dale. It's what a Buffet clarinet should sound like in my opinion. I started out in the 1970s playing the S1 clarinet but then swap today R13 I played up to learn the British Boosey and Hawkes 1010 clarinets which are no longer made. I always thought despite the faults like most clarinets the R 13 and 1010 had particularly an individual quality of their own. With all the new buffet clarinet is coming out I hope that the R13 does not disappear and end up like the Selmer six saxophone. Which is still sought after by money but no longer produced. Is it just my age speaking? In 2008 I also bought a pair of Peter Eaton Elite clarinets only time will tell. - God bless tell you and yours - I en joy your videos - Bill UK

[@kevindeibert3369]

Super comparisons here. I like the '62 & '61. Do you know anything about a David Hire R13 from circa 1980 ?

[@carloseduardo9946]

Olá, o número de seria do meu Buffet Crapon E-11 Francês é B221764, alguém pode me ajudar dizendo em que ano foi?

[@billywilliams7827]

Hello Dale have you ever played a German Oehler system thanks.

[@sfyatee]

What do you think of full boehm clarinets? Or do you prefer a clarinet without the extra keywork?

[@DaleFedele]

Mr. Garcia, I haven't played enough to really tell. In speaking with Mark Jacobi in Philadelphia, apparently the bore geometry would be modified by the extra Low Eb. In terms of articulated G#, I'm simply not used to the resistance. I LOVE alternate Eb but I never really use it. It's funny...I found a Buffet ad from 1947 that features R14, R15, R16 as extra-key versions of the R13. I thought that it's pretty disorienting to think about that! I hope to find more serial numbers of full bohems and, eventually, maybe next year or the year after, make a full review on some different years of full bohems...in case maybe they did make some alterations to the bore! I almost feel the same way about modern "Basset Clarinets"...the feel is way off for me, not in terms of ergonomics, but in terms of back pressure & resistance.

[@pukalo]

@@DaleFedelemy R13 full boehm is 137xxx if that helps

[@larryli7015]

Hi I just got an R13. All it says is 329779. can anyone tell me what year or time period that is

[@DaleFedele]

1991! These can be great horns

[@jimis3167]

Do you like the Seggelke boem clarinet?

[@DaleFedele]

I've yet to try one. I need to and make a video!

[@jimis3167]

@@DaleFedele I've heard these are the most light-weighted boehm clarinets?? Or there are lighter than those?

[@Okinawanprince]

Henry Rabaud Solo de Concours!

[@kevindeibert3369]

oops should be David Hite !

[@jefft9729]

R13 vs Yamaha CSVR? Any thoughts on this?

[@DaleFedele]

I think it's all about context...and vintage. Modern R13's (most of them) are nothing like the best examples from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and even some from the 80's and 90's. To my ear, the sound of most R13's today is very small...similar in ways to the CSVR. The CSVR has much better consistency & build quality from the factory. I think Yamahas are great in a band setting (military band, too). In a large hall, I find they are small & more homogenous in a somewhat boring way...but in a way not too dissimilar from a lot of modern R13's. I say...if you can try out a dozen R13's, try them and pick the best one. Otherwise you're playing the lottery. When you buy Yamaha, you KNOW what you're buying. No gambling involved.

[@DaleFedele]

Oh...I also prefer the overtones, color, and feel of modern R13's to Yamahas, but that's a personal preference and can be dictated I think by formative years. I think the best choice is still a prime golden year R13 with little play time and an excellent setup...and then some time to find the right mouthpiece & barrel for optimum intonation & feel & control.

[@jefft9729]

Thanks Dale. These are terrific videos.

[@DaleFedele]

@@jefft9729 Thank you so much, sir! If you have any topics you'd like me to attempt to dive in, please let me know. I promise I have some interesting things I will post soon!

[@jamiescarrestorationprojec9117]

Hi I just got a r13 serial number starting 53xxx can anyone tell what year that was?

[@DaleFedele]

This is 1955/56. I'd be very curious to know the entrance and exit numbers of the top joint. Even though Buffet says the R13 started in 1955, I almost find the 50 thousands to be somewhat transitional horns. To be honest, they're all transitional until 1968/69 in my opinion, but especially in the 50 thousands there's a universe of change that happens