First of all my knowledge level would be along the lines of bone stupid, so please bear with me.
I recently bought a Buffet Crampon clarinet at a yard sale as a speculation (I was looking for Omega and Rolex wristwatches), and I bought number clarinet 765990, wood, made in Germany.
I took the clarinet to the best music store in town and they could not tell me the year of manufacture, or if it was an E11 or an R13. I have e-mailed a few of the people on the Buffet web site contact page, and I am awaiting responses.
The music store said the thing needed an over-haul, but a friend at a pawn shop (with 30 years of dealing in musical instruments, and a one-time professional guitar player himself) said it was okay. He suggested that since the music store made their living from over-hauls . . .
The music store said if it was an E11 it'd be worth about $400 as-is, and about $600 if it were an R13. They also said the mouth-piece and ligature were high quality.
Other than through the manufacturer, does anyone have a suggestion as to how I can find out what I've really got?
Thank you for your kind attention . . .