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Sax on the Web Archive / Buffet Archive / A vintage Buffet Crampon Tenor

Grover May 8th 12:08 PM
Hi. I just acquired a really nice condition vintage Buffet Crampon tenor. Some slight possibility of a relacquer, but doesn't look like it. The curious thing is that it has no detailed engraving at all. The serial number is about 32,xxx, but it is clearly NOT from the 1982 era as the Boosey or Goodson websites suggest.

Must be prior to the current numbering scheme.

It has the Buffet emblem stamped on the bell, then below that Block Letters indicating Buffet Crampon, then S-A, then 18-20, then Passage du Gd. Cerf, Then Paris France. This engraving reminds me of the Buffet Paris horns built in the 40's and 50's with serial numbers in the 3000 - 4000 range.

The octave key is reminiscent of the Selmer Cigar Cutter style as far as design and function, although it doesn't look like a cigar cutter.
I presume that this horn precedes the current numbering system. Anyone have a clue?

Thanks.

billmecca
User ID: 8583623 May 8th 1:32 PM
there is some discussion of Buffet further down in this area, I would say its pre-1960, I have a SuperDynaction tenor 76xx serial from 1961. the engraving you describe, I believe is the address.;-)

check www.saxgourmet.com, Steve G has some serial number charts there in the resources area.

Matt K
User ID: 2192024 May 8th 9:32 PM
I think it's a pre fire horn. Made in the 30's.
The Buffet factory burned down around 1940 or so.
They started over with serial #'s afterwards.

billmecca
User ID: 8583623 May 9th 8:15 AM
Thanks Matt K, I was thinking there was a fire that destroyed the records, but wasn't sure.

saxpics
User ID: 8890073 May 10th 11:23 PM
I'm happy to say that I'm now back online. Phew!

bill/Grover, check out http://www.saxpics.com/buffet
and the French Saxophones thread.

The best place for Buffet serials is http://www.saxophon-service.de/homep/baujahr/buffet01.htm
(it's got early Evette & Schaeffer numbers, as well, and I discuss some of the serial number "black holes" at my website).

Take care!
Pete

Matt K
User ID: 2192024 May 11th 12:04 AM
Grover, I just acquired a tenor just like what I think you have. I don't have it yet but you can see it on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=869217898&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1020943692&indexURL=0&rd=1
It's a post fire horn.

Pete I checked out your site for info on these horns and it is great. Thanks for making it.
BTW I've narrowed the serial numbers down to 200 on the tranny SDA/S1. My S1 is #23,9xx and I saw a tranny SDA on ebay last week that was #23,7xx.
Yes I have pictures if you want them.

stevew
User ID: 8590713 May 11th 1:42 AM
Guys, you do need to watch out for 'vintage Buffets' on ebay; I was duped on one supposedly from the 30's which turned out to be a 1907 horn previously silver which had been lacquered. It looked great from the right angle as long as you didn't see the double octave keys :-(

As I had bought it overseas, it wasn't cost effective to return it (and I didn't actually pay that much) so I re-sold it with an honest description - at a profit for once.

Obviously the horn mentioned here is not one of those, but do watch out - from a distance, or in a carefully chosen shot, you could be thinking you are getting something special. Whilst it was well-made and sounded great, it was really a museum piece rather than a viable player and they were made well into the 20's. Technically an Evette & Schaeffer, it still also carries the Buffet Crampon name as well, which ebay sellers are inclined to major on, and I have since seen quite a few of these come up.

Matt K
User ID: 7092963 May 11th 11:15 AM
I've seen some of those too. You can tell by the split bell keys and the writing on the bell which is written lengthwise on the bell. The later ones don't have a double octave key. Anyone who is unsure can go to www.saxpics.com and find out just about all you need to know.

stevew
User ID: 8590713 May 12th 2:06 AM
Oh yes, and the finger touches are metal not pearl, that's a real giveaway.

Matt K
User ID: 7092963 May 12th 9:29 AM
That's right. I think Buffet must have been the last make in the world to start using pearl touches.

Grover	May 8th 12:08 PM Hi. I just acquired a really nice condition vintage Buffet Crampon tenor. Some slight possibility of a relacquer, but doesn't look like it. The curious thing is that it has no detailed engraving at all. The serial number is about 32,xxx, but it is clearly NOT from the 1982 era as the Boosey or Goodson websites suggest. Must be prior to the current numbering scheme. It has the Buffet emblem stamped on the bell, then below that Block Letters indicating Buffet Crampon, then S-A, then 18-20, then Passage du Gd. Cerf, Then Paris France. This engraving reminds me of the Buffet Paris horns built in the 40's and 50's with serial numbers in the 3000 - 4000 range. The octave key is reminiscent of the Selmer Cigar Cutter style as far as design and function, although it doesn't look like a cigar cutter. I presume that this horn precedes the current numbering system. Anyone have a clue? Thanks.
billmecca User ID: 8583623	May 8th 1:32 PM there is some discussion of Buffet further down in this area, I would say its pre-1960, I have a SuperDynaction tenor 76xx serial from 1961. the engraving you describe, I believe is the address.;-) check www.saxgourmet.com, Steve G has some serial number charts there in the resources area.
Matt K User ID: 2192024	May 8th 9:32 PM I think it's a pre fire horn. Made in the 30's. The Buffet factory burned down around 1940 or so. They started over with serial #'s afterwards.
billmecca User ID: 8583623	May 9th 8:15 AM Thanks Matt K, I was thinking there was a fire that destroyed the records, but wasn't sure.
saxpics User ID: 8890073	May 10th 11:23 PM I'm happy to say that I'm now back online. Phew! bill/Grover, check out http://www.saxpics.com/buffet and the French Saxophones thread. The best place for Buffet serials is http://www.saxophon-service.de/homep/baujahr/buffet01.htm (it's got early Evette & Schaeffer numbers, as well, and I discuss some of the serial number "black holes" at my website). Take care! Pete
Matt K User ID: 2192024	May 11th 12:04 AM Grover, I just acquired a tenor just like what I think you have. I don't have it yet but you can see it on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=869217898&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1020943692&indexURL=0&rd=1 It's a post fire horn. Pete I checked out your site for info on these horns and it is great. Thanks for making it. BTW I've narrowed the serial numbers down to 200 on the tranny SDA/S1. My S1 is #23,9xx and I saw a tranny SDA on ebay last week that was #23,7xx. Yes I have pictures if you want them.
stevew User ID: 8590713	May 11th 1:42 AM Guys, you do need to watch out for 'vintage Buffets' on ebay; I was duped on one supposedly from the 30's which turned out to be a 1907 horn previously silver which had been lacquered. It looked great from the right angle as long as you didn't see the double octave keys :-( As I had bought it overseas, it wasn't cost effective to return it (and I didn't actually pay that much) so I re-sold it with an honest description - at a profit for once. Obviously the horn mentioned here is not one of those, but do watch out - from a distance, or in a carefully chosen shot, you could be thinking you are getting something special. Whilst it was well-made and sounded great, it was really a museum piece rather than a viable player and they were made well into the 20's. Technically an Evette & Schaeffer, it still also carries the Buffet Crampon name as well, which ebay sellers are inclined to major on, and I have since seen quite a few of these come up.
Matt K User ID: 7092963	May 11th 11:15 AM I've seen some of those too. You can tell by the split bell keys and the writing on the bell which is written lengthwise on the bell. The later ones don't have a double octave key. Anyone who is unsure can go to www.saxpics.com and find out just about all you need to know.
stevew User ID: 8590713	May 12th 2:06 AM Oh yes, and the finger touches are metal not pearl, that's a real giveaway.
Matt K User ID: 7092963	May 12th 9:29 AM That's right. I think Buffet must have been the last make in the world to start using pearl touches.