Info about "Evette sponsored by Buffet" bass clari

[MusicMan]

Looking for general info about these. I understand they are Buffet's sudent and intermediate line of clarinets.

I've picked up a used one for doubling and it's about to get an overhaul. What mouthpiece would be a good matchup. I've heard a Selmer C* or HS* would be good. Any thoughts. Primarily, I'll be using it in big band, pit and concert band.

Also, any idea on value. I need to add it to my insurance rider for all my axes.

[David Spiegelthal]

The ones I've seen have been stencil instruments made by Robert Malerne in Paris, in both 2-piece- body wood and one-piece-body hard-rubber ('ebonite') versions, both with an auxiliary Ab/Eb key for the left pinky. Pretty good basic instruments, very rugged, but with some fundamental acoustical flaws which can mostly be corrected (at some expense and difficulty). Worth a maximum of $1000 or so if in excellent condition. I've overhauled and modified at least a half-dozen Malerne and Malerne-stencil bass clarinets (one of which was marked Evette-Schaeffer) so I'm very familiar with these instruments.