Buffet Clarinets
With a tradition of quality clarinet making dating back to 1825, Buffet Crampon have grown to become the world's top selling brand. Today they produce a wide range of instruments to satisfy players of all standards, from beginners through to professional level.
Here at Sheehans we have many years experience of selling and repairing Buffet instruments. Each instrument is thoroughly checked by our qualified staff before it leaves the shop, and all come with a 12 month on-site warranty.
To view our current stock of Buffet clarinets, please click here. For more information, read on - if you have any further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
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Beginner / Student Instruments
Suitable for absolute beginners up to around grade 5 standard.
A choice of instrument is always a very personal one, it's generally best to try out a few in the shop before arriving at a decision - however, in our experience Buffet student clarinets have always been popular with teachers, and are consistently of good quality, making them a safe choice for anyone struggling to make up their mind.
| Model |
Description |
| B12 |
Our most popular model of student clarinet.
With a body made from ABS resin, the B12 is lighter in weight than traditional wooden clarinets, an advantage particularly for very young players. The resin body is also a little more durable and moisture resistant* than wood.
Nickel plated keywork. |
| E11 |
A wooden (ebony) bodied version of the B12, suitable for adult beginners.
Silver plated keywork. |
*the pads, however, can still be damaged by excess moisture - it's important to develop good habits when it comes to cleaning and maintaining any instrument!
Both models are in the key of Bb, with A = 442Hz pitch and a barrel length of 65mm, have adjustable thumb rests and are supplied in a case along with mouthpiece, ligature and cleaning accessories.
To view our current stock of Buffet clarinets, check prices, or make a purchase, please click here, or if you have any further questions please contact us.
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Intermediate Level Instruments
For more advanced students, typically grade 6 through to grade 8 standard.
As students progress through the grades, they are faced with more technically demanding passages, and marked increasingly on the quality of the sound they produce.
For those who choose to continue beyond grade 5, this is usually the time to think about moving up to a better quality instrument.
| Model |
Description |
| E13 |
A popular intermediate clarinet, for students who have outgrown their first instrument.
The shape of the central bore and the keywork are significantly improved over the B12 and E11, giving excellent sound projection, and making the E13 very comfortable to play.
100% ebony body, silver plated keywork. A = 442Hz pitch, barrel length 65mm. Supplied in a hard case with ligature, mouthpiece and accessories.
Available in the keys of Bb and A. |
To view our current stock of Buffet clarinets, check prices, or make a purchase, please click here, or if you have any further questions please contact us.
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Professional Instruments
For those who have completed their grades, and require the very best.
Occasionally, keen students looking to upgrade from their first instrument will skip the intermediate stage, and upgrade directly to a professional clarinet.
The core of Buffet's professional range is based around two bore shapes:
- R13 bore - the industry standard and most popular design, featured on the greatest number of Buffet instruments.
- RC bore - a more modern alternative, favoured by some for its thicker, purer tone.
Available Bb and A models are listed below - for other keys please see the harmony clarinets section below.
Buffet Professional Clarinets
| Model |
Bore |
Features |
Key |
Pitch |
Barrel Length |
| R13 |
R13 |
Optional Eb / Ab lever. |
Bb |
440Hz |
66mm |
| A |
440Hz |
65mm |
| RC* |
RC |
Optional full Boehm system, with 20 keys / 7 rings, articulated G#, F# / G# trill, low Eb (442Hz pitch only). |
Bb |
440Hz |
66mm |
| Bb |
442Hz |
65mm |
| A |
440Hz |
65mm |
| A |
442Hz |
64.5mm |
Buffet Prestige CLarinets
Clarinets in Buffet's Prestige range are made from the highest grade timbers, chosen for their aesthetic as well as tonal qualities - the transparent (no stain) finish allows the full beauty of the grain figuring to shine through.
Prestige clarinets also benefit from several extra features - caps on the upper and lower joint tenons (reducing the risk of cracking), Eb / Ab lever fitted as standard, Gore-Tex pads, and undercut tone holes.
Gold-plated keywork is available as a special order.
| Model |
Bore |
Key |
Pitch |
Barrel Length |
Features |
| R13 Prestige |
R13 |
Bb |
440Hz |
66mm |
The popular R13 clarinet, but with all the extra features of a Prestige range instrument. |
| A |
442Hz |
65mm |
| Festival* |
R13 |
Bb |
440/442Hz |
66/65mm |
Versatile instrument, with a warm tone. |
| A |
440/442Hz |
66/65mm |
| Vintage |
R13 |
Bb |
440Hz |
66mm |
Based on the original 1950s R13 clarinet design, giving more of an 'American' sound. |
| A |
440Hz |
66mm |
| RC Prestige* |
RC |
Bb |
440Hz |
66mm |
Subtle changes to this instrument in recent years, particularly the shape of the bell, have added warmth and 'focus' to the sound. |
| Bb |
442Hz |
65mm |
| A |
440Hz |
65mm |
| A |
442Hz |
64mm |
Green Line Instruments
Models marked with a * above are also available as part of Buffet's 'Green Line' range.
Green Line is Buffet's own specially designed composite material, a mixture of ebony dust and carbon fibre. It has the same acoustic qualities as pure wood with the added advantage that, as well as conserving natural resources, the carbon fibre eliminates the risk of the material cracking due to changes in atmospheric condition (i.e. temperature and humidity)
Other Professional Bb & A Clarinets
Two more models complete the range of professional Bb and A clarinets - the 'Elite' and the 'Tosca'.
Elite
An entirely new bore design - the thinner ebony wall gives more flexibility and resonance to the instrument, and reduces its weight by around 20%
Improved keywork, with softer ridges (especially on the three right hand rings) for greater comfort when playing.
Features automatic correction key allowing the E-F low to be adjusted, pads with resonators (for increased fluidity, and more consistent covering of the tone holes) and a resonance hole on thebottom of the lower joint to give a 'wider' sound. Silvered keywork with gold risers
Tosca
The latest model to join Buffet's professional range of clarinets.
Subtle alterations have been made to the keywork, while the instrument itself is designed to be freer blowing, producing a characteristically 'large bore' sound that is accessible to all players.
If you have any further questions, please contact us.
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Harmony Clarinets
A range of clarinets in the keys of Eb, D and C.
| Model |
Features |
Key |
Pitch |
Barrel Length |
| E11 |
Beginners quality Eb clarinet, with ebony body |
Eb |
442Hz |
42mm |
| R13 |
Professional ebony-bodied clarinet, made to Buffet's original industry standard design. |
Eb |
440Hz |
41.5mm |
| RC |
Modern alternative to the R13, with a slightly thicker, purer tone. |
Eb |
440Hz |
41.5mm |
| 442Hz |
40.5mm |
| RC Prestige |
As above but with top grade unstained timber, metal caps on upper and lower joint tenons (reduces the risk of cracking), Gore-Tex pads, undercut tone holes. |
Eb |
440Hz |
41.5mm |
| 442Hz |
40.5mm |
| D |
440Hz |
41.5mm |
| 442Hz |
40.5mm |
| C |
440Hz |
47.5mm |
| 442Hz |
45.5mm |
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Other Clarinets and Related Instruments
A full range of clarinet family instruments, available from Buffet.
| Instrument |
Details |
| Alto Clarinet |
Silver plated keywork. To low Eb. |
| Basset Clarinet |
Key of A, to low C. |
| Basset Horn |
Key of F, to low C. |
| Bass Clarinet |
Intermediate level instrument. To low Eb |
| Bass Clarinet |
Prestige range professional instrument. To low Eb |
| Bass Clarinet |
Prestige range professional instrument. To low C |
| Contra Alto Clarinet |
- |
Please contact us for more information on any of the above.
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