Looking to purchase a buffet r13. For whatever reason most sellers of golden era r13s on eBay are not offering returns. I would never buy anything for that much money from a seller that doesn’t offer returns. Are they really that much better than later years? Still used 80’s 90’s ..read more

Hello - I have been a life long sax player and recently have jumped feet first into the clarinet world and am loving it. I have been using a student model that was gifted to me but recently ran across a used Selmer Paris Omega. I have searched and searched and searched for information on this horn but can't find any info. Using Selmer's serial number chart it dates this to 1944-ish but this horn is clearly modern production. I did find some info saying Selmer did a Paris Omega run in... Selmer Paris - Omega question ..read more

Hello, I've been looking for a cheaper bass clarinet after high school, as I can't use the one I borrowed anymore. I'm now in college and lowkey broke, but I wanted to keep practicing as it's been a year since I played and I miss it, and hopefully when I go to a 4-year college I can join the band. I've found 2 used ones in my price range. A Normandy clarinet that has been serviced, and a Kohlert wood clarinet with a double vent for a little cheaper as I'd have to buy a mouthpiece so in the... Looking At Bass Clarinets ..read more

To anyone here with a Conn 424N or 444N who has access to a caliper or other suitable measuring device, could you tell me the bore size (top and bottom of the upper joint) and at least partial serial number? In talking to someone with a first-year 424N, it appears that his has a smaller bore than my last-year 424N, and we're curious as to when that change might have happened ..read more

Haven’t posted in forever . I dearly love my Yamaha 650 and Yamaha 622 II low c bass. I did some digging and found a Yamaha CSG at Sam ash in Vegas. It was $3400 but I got them to mark in down and ship it too me for 2480 with tax. It was a display behind glass. I bought it sight unseen. They have a buffer R13 there for 4000 something. I wiiid never roll the dice on the buffet but Yamaha’s are pretty consistent. I figure if I don’t like the sound I can give it too my daughter if it a suitable... Yamaha csg III rolling the dice ..read more

Hi, I hope this is the correct place for my question. I got a vintage bass clarinet mouthpiece made by Wells Chicago. I don’t know which opening it is. The only marking on the mouthpiece is “Wells” and “Chicago”. It also seems to be in original condition. It would be great if anybody could tell me what this bass clarinet mouthpiece is worth. Thanks in advance. All the best Steffen ..read more

Gordon or Anyone, An interesting situation presented itself..... I ran into a friend yesterday and she told me about an old clarinet she was going to put up for sale in a yard sale. It's a mid to late 60's Noblet. She used it in school for a few years and then stopped playing. It sounds like it's been sitting in the closet for years. Anyway, she said that she'll GIVE it to me. The clarinet undoubtedly needs an overhaul. My local tech should be able to do a good job on it for... Older Noblet Clarinet ..read more

How and when (serial number wise) did the double register mechanism get developed on Buffet's alto clarinets? I've seen two labelled "Professional" that have the double register mechanism. I've also seen one labelled "Academy" that was made slightly earlier that has a partial mechanism. It switches for the throat Bb, but it doesn't connect to the rest of the instrument to operate as an actual double register mechanism. From what I've read, the "Academy" line was for instruments that had... Buffet Alto Clarinet Development History ..read more

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I just got this clarinet. Any idea of age or if it is a student clarinet? I just got it last night and haven’t tried it yet. Recommendations for a mouthpiece? I have followed a few links for serial # charts but the links were expired. Thanks ..read more