Show Posts
1
All about Clarinets / Re: An Interesting Italian Clarinet
« on: January 22, 2023, 12:09:02 PM »for me it looks like a Buffet Crampon, maybe a stencil, very commun in this historic times
Claus
You're right. I took a closer look at the pics and saw the donut key. I have only seen two other names attached to donut keys - Buffet Crampon, and M. Lacroix. I imagine you're correct with it being a Buffet Stencil. This would also mean that Buffet possibly stencilled M. Lacroix. The plot thickens!
That's quite interesting! I did not know Buffet used to do stencils. That would maybe explain explain why my clarinet, despite the bargain-bin barrel, sounds as good as it does. However, what's interesting about this one-piece full boehm is that the alternate C#-G# banana key is it's own separate tone hole; not connected to the usual C# key. Was this a feature on Buffet and M. Lacroix stencils like this? If so, It's a good feature because frankly it sounds better than the usual key.
I am quite sure that most, if not all full boehm's have the C#/G# in this format, rather than the "regular" method. The "regular"method is inferior, mainly because the hole is not placed at the ideal position. When the clarinet has to come apart into two pieces, most manufacturers just place the key on the upper joint, as low as it can possibly go as the compromise.
Full boehms, as well as the "articulated" two pieces, have the C#/G# where it SHOULD be. I don't think this is specific to any one manufacturer, brands as diverse as Buffet Crampon and G. Bundy do this.