SUPERB VINTAGE 1912 BUFFET-CRAMPON (Paris) CLARINET, no cracks, ALL new pads.

Description

WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
2525 East Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67211
Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858
*** BEFORE WE SEND ANYTHING TO YOU…
The instrument is carefully inspected by us to make certain it’s spotlessly clean. We disinfect the exterior of the instrument, spray the exterior of the case as well. We do not send anything to you without it’s being checked and then checked again.
*** A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR SENDING “ON APPROVAL”…
We’ve had the same policy for half a century, are always happy to send almost anything for a short trial period. Five days is, we believe, sufficient for a trained musician to decide if the item sent them is a good match.
A small percentage of instrument we send out are returned to us. Sometimes it’s a money issue, more often it’s “…you might consider taking lessons.” But as we always say, “If you don’t buy, we’ll still be friends.
”
We’ve had recent questions, though, about how we clean up returned approvals. You should know…
With recorders, clarinets, flutes, and oboes, we remove all the keywork, then give the bodies a quick bath. Soap and water, but not long enough to harm the finish. Keys are lightly sprayed with a disinfectant and pads are lightly swabbed with the same. Then, back in the case after a spray to the exterior and carrying handles of the case.
Not sure what the other shops are doing about this issue (I’ve asked and have had no replies), but we think our clean-up work is exactly what’s required to keep everybody safe.***
BUFFET-CRAMPON B-flat clarinet, best model, number 826-G1, made in France in 1912.
It's not for everybody, though.  Length from bell ring to top of the barrel is 602 mm and that's TWO mm longer than a new A = 440 Buffet-Crampon R-13.  And that means you've got to either use a mouthpiece that's one or two mm shorter or a 65 mm barrel or (best yet) have strong chops.  Our friend who recently tried this clarinet had NO problem playing at 440.....even checked it with a tuner.  Not 442, though.... 440 or a bit lower, depending on how strong is  your embouchure.
Keywork is silver plated and isn't worn at all.  Rings are still very good, not dished-out.
Original case is perfect.
Not for everybody, in our opinion. It's a truly wonderful and superb instrument, but if you show up in a high school band room with this one, the music director might just get red in the face.
Wichita Band’s service   warranty is the same as it’s been for more than four decades:
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace (whichever in our estimation is the more advisable), pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer.  In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section.   Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge.   The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees.”
Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953!
In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or
Wichita
Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer.
In January of 2020, our small workshop in Wichita celebrated sixty-seven years in business.  We are not in the 1952 Wichita telephone directory, but we ARE in the 1953.  Over the decades, we’ve repaired and restored hundreds of woodwind instruments, specializing in 19
th
. century French flutes, clarinets and saxophones from the mid twentieth century and before.  We employ sixteen highly skilled full-time workers and enjoy, we’re happy to report, a sterling reputation for top-quality restoration and ethical transactions. We are not amateurs, nor are we a “back bedroom” operation.   We would be pleased to furnish you with references attesting to the above.
**** WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY / WICHITA, KANSAS /  USA
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Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including six of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year.
It’s sometimes possible to buy a good saxophone on Ebay for a lower price, but unless that instrument wears all new pads and corks from a reputable shop, you won’t know how it plays until you spend another five to seven hundred to have it mechanically overhauled. With a saxophone from OUR shop, you know it’s in the finest condition when it arrives at your home!
Here’s what we do to all the used clarinets we sell:
The instrument is taken apart and everything washed clean. We don’t believe in chemical dips, but do use plenty of soap and water! All wood parts are inspected for checks and damage, polished and then soaked in oil for three days. After the body-shop work’s been completed, we swedge hinge-tubes tight again and re-fit to the clarinet body. Finally, pads and corks are replaced and the instrument play-tested. Most customers tell us that our clarinets are then actually mechanically better than new.
Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953!
In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer.
Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation.  The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument on approval for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for Ebay, clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument.
Ebay authorized payment methods:
PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account.
Credit cards not accepted from some countries. We must ship to the credit card billing address or paypal confirmed address with exceptions made only at our discretion.
Feel free to call or e-mail for any additional information.
Wichita Band Instrument Co.
800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada),
316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line,