1956 Vintage Buffet R13 (1st Gen) Bb Clarinet – Overhauled

1956 Vintage Buffet R13 Professional Clarinet
Completely ProShop Overhauled – Never Cracked

The modern R13 is the “legendary choice of professionals”… but since the initial release in 1955, the R13 has gone through several revisions. Each of these revisions made performance changes that were both positive and negative depending on the player. Most players find that a Vintage Buffet R13 will posses a richer tonal core and presence than the newer ones.

1956 Buffet R13 #54,454
This particular Vintage Buffet R13 clarinet, serial number 54,454 was made in 1956 and has never been cracked. We have performed our “ClarinetRepairs.com ProShop Overhaul” to this clarinet (a $450 job) and includes a 1 year warranty. We also have put it in a brand new Omebaige Pro Series case. These “1st Generation R13” models (approx 1955 – 1968) tend to possess the richest tone of all R13 vintages. Many of them fall into disarray over the decades but once restored properly, they are truly amazing instruments!

Vintage Buffet R13 vs. Modern Buffet R13
The various Vintage Buffet clarinets are known for their tone. This tone is richer and thicker than a modern R13. So why did they change? The players’ needs in the 1950’s, 1960’s & 1970’s were different than the players’ needs today. Today, the R13 is designed to emulate the performance style of the original deign while also maintaining improved response and intonation characteristics. Vintage Instruments require a more experienced player who knows how to control their clarinet rather than requiring the clarinet to control them. Neither way is right or wrong, just a reality.

We recommend a properly restored vintage Buffet R13 to the player who prioritizes tone over anything else.

This clarinet has received our ClarinetRepairs.com ProShop Overhaul. Full details of that overhaul can be found by clicking here. The big benefit of this job is that it revitalizes the instrument. In this job, we make sure that every tonehole is precisely level and the extruding profile is properly cut. This gives more reliable pad seal and the profile provides for proper air venting increasing tonal presence while decreasing stuffy tones. As a result, this vintage Buffet gives an amazing performance and response that is not matched in modern clarinets.

The pads used in this clarinet were our preferred “MasteRoo” configuration. This combination of the Masters Series synthetic on the upper joint and Kangaroo Leather on the lower joint optimizes the precision and projection required in the upper end of the clarinet and the lusher sweet tones in the lower end.

Multiple Financing Options Available!

We have a myriad of different financing options available for your new instrument! From affordable monthly payments over a longer period of time to other options that can include 0% Interest or Deferred Interest options, we can help find a way to make the instrument of your dreams become the instrument of your reality! Give us a call!