Buffet Crampon R13 A (La) Clarinet – c. 1962 – Professional Overhaul – Exceptional Example

Offered for sale is a Buffet Crampon R13 A (La) clarinet, serial number 69xxx, manufactured in 1962, during what many players and technicians consider the beginning of the Golden Era of R13 production.

R13 clarinets from the 1960s are widely respected for their beautifully aged Grenadilla wood, stable intonation, and characteristic warm yet focused sound. By the 60s, Buffet had fully refined the poly-cylindrical bore design that made the R13 the global standard for professional clarinet playing.

Well-preserved examples from this era are becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly instruments in A, that have been properly overhauled and remain crack-free.

Condition: This instrument is in excellent structural and mechanical condition.

• No cracks anywhere in the wood
• Tenons are square and seal perfectly
• Chimneys and tone holes are clean and well preserved
• Mechanically tight with smooth key action

Overall, this is a remarkably clean example of a ~ 60-year-old professional clarinet.

The clarinet has received a complete professional overhaul and is ready for immediate playing.

Work performed included:

• Complete disassembly and cleaning
• Body cleaned and conditioned with sweet almond oil

• Keys and posts hand-polished
• Tone holes inspected and resurfaced where necessary for perfect pad seal
• New Gore-Tex Buffet-style pads installed (beveled cork pad in the register key)
• New tenon corks and key corks/felts
• Keys opening height (venting) carefully adjusted for optimal response and tuning

• Springs tension adjusted as needed for ease of playing

 Until early 1970s, Buffet was making R13 keywork from so-called German nickel-silver alloy. The keys are un-plated and feel nice under the fingers (much better than nickel-plated keys that feel slippery).

The keywork is tight, smooth, and responsive- exactly what players can expect from a freshly overhauled professional instrument.

 Playing Characteristics:

This clarinet delivers the classic R13 sound that has made the model the reference standard for decades:

• Rich, centered tone
• Excellent projection
• Even response throughout the registers

It speaks easily and has the focus and resonance typical for well-aged Grenadilla.

Included:

• Original Buffet mouthpiece – very good condition with clean rails and table
• Original Buffet ligature and cap
• Yamaha double case in excellent condition inside and out, with minimal traces of cork grease on the fabric.

Value:

A full professional overhaul of this quality typically costs at least $700–$750 at reputable clarinet repair specialists.

This instrument has already received that work and is ready to play immediately.

Shipping

• Ships within the continental United States, within 2 business days of payment (often next business day)
• Fully insured shipping

Please review the high-resolution photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
Additional photos are available upon request.

I am happy to answer questions.

Please feel free to review my feedback.

Thank you for your interest.