Buffet R13 Serial Number Chart: A Guide to Identify Your Clarinet Model and Year

Jean Louis Buffet was already making musical instruments as early as the 1840's. In 1871, Leon Crampon became a partner. If you come across an "F" preceding the serial number of an R13, this indicates that the instrument has been built to an A442 - A444 and is intended for use by European ensembles. The R13 was designed by Robert Carree, the head acoustician for Buffet (c. 1950). This may have been the first intentional use of the so-called "poly-cylindrical" bore design of the Buffet clarinet. It became the prototype for all future Buffet clarinet designs from that point onward. As a result, it may be safely assumed that anything from #61,000 was manufacturered with this design in mind. Many of the documents which contained accurate information regarding serial numbers have been lost and as a result, there is a gap from 1946 - 1957. Buffet states, however, that approximately 3000 units per year were manufactured during this period.

With Buffet clarinets long history, sometimes figuring out the model and serial number can be exhilarating, principally for the potential thrill of discovering that the Buffet clarinet in your hands might be a rare and valuable model! In 1825, Denis Buffet-Auger began a clarinet workshop in Paris. In 1871, Leon Crampon became a partner and the name was changed to Buffet Crampon. Buffet clarinets reputation spread quickly and became recognized for their quality, winning awards at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889. The first Buffet clarinets came to the US in 1918 and have cemented their place ever since.

Buffet R13 Serial Number Chart

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I have an Edgware serial 105976. My mother picked it up at a yard sale 25 years ago for $10. it was missing a mouthpiece. we got a replacement mouthpiece, and I used it in band for a number of years, now my daughter uses it. I am inquiring what it it's worth might be in today's world.

We have an old B&H clarinet, serial number 52064. Best I could find date would be 1949. Daughter plays it. plays well. Have all parts. She would like to sell it but I would rather not. Know you don't have a selling site here, but thought I might ask just somewhere in what range. original case. beautiful sounding. Thanks so much.ben buchanan, texas.

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