Evette Master Model Archaeology

[Hold on]

Greetings to all the masters and experts in the clarinet community!

I am writing to seek some information regarding a Buffet Evette Master Model that I recently purchased from a second-hand online marketplace in China. After being serviced by a professional technician to resolve all mechanical issues, the instrument now plays exceptionally well. I am absolutely delighted with its performance and sound.

Here are the specific details of the instrument:

1、Serial Number & Markings: The serial number is a purely numerical 234753. Curiously, at the top-right of the final digit "3," there is a unique hand-stamped mark that looks like a circle with a diagonal slash (resembling a null sign a "O" with a "/").

2、Missing Origin Stamp: Interestingly, there is no "Made in France" or country-of-origin stamp above the serial number where it is usually located.

3、Keywork: When I clean the keys with a silver polishing cloth, the cloth turns noticeably black. This leads me to believe the keys are silver-plated.

4、Performance & Dimensions: Upon measuring the bore, I found the data to be very similar to a Buffet R13. I am curious to know if this model is essentially equivalent to an R13, and what the specific relationship is between the Master Model and the R13?

5、Chronology: Based on the serial number, could someone help me identify the approximate year of manufacture?

6、 The marking on my clarinet is the capital letter "EVETTE" in the center, surrounded by a long, dotted oval. Directly below the circle is the word "BUFFET CRAMPON," and below that is the word "MASTER MODEL," which is similar in size to "EVETTE." However, the word "MASTER MODEL" only appears on the upper half of the clarinet.

Since this model was never officially imported into Mainland China back in the day, I have found it nearly impossible to find any information or documentation about it on Chinese websites—it is quite a mystery here.

I look forward to your insights. Once again, my sincerest thanks and regards to the masters of the community for your time and help!

Best regards,salute

This is my clarinet Link in the Reddit,here have more pictures.
https://www.reddit.com/user/CommonGoal6684/comments/1tqtxzx/buffet_evette_master_model_archaeology/

[350 Rocket]

For many years, some lower-tier Buffet clarinets were made by W. Schreiber in Germany. I don't know for sure which models were made by them when; that said, that looks like a Schreiber serial number.

Schreiber serial numbers reached 200000 around 1980 according to my notes, and extrapolating based on the other extremely limited data I have would put your instrument in 1982. I believe it was 1983 when B-C did away with the Evette name and rebranded this model the Buffet E-11, so you might have one of the last ones so named. Schrieber does have production records that they can look up, so you could contact them to get a precise date of manufacture.

I have a 1977 Buffet price list that shows the Evette Master Model as having nickel-plated keywork. From the closeup in the third picture above, it looks like nickel plating to me. I've never tried a silver polishing cloth on nickel, but using Flitz it too turns the cloth black. If the keywork was tarnished a dull gray before polishing, it's nickel. (And that isn't a knock against it - nickel plating is more durable and requires less maintenance. The only tangible benefit of silver plate is to someone with a nickel allergy.)

Having "Master Model" only on the upper joint is how they were - the upper joint is the only one with enough space to have it in addition to the Evette marking.