Buffet RC Prestige Bb Clarinet, Greenline 442Hz

Full Description

The RC Prestige Clarinet

Developed by Robert Carree in 1975, the main difference between the RC and the RC Prestige is the carefully selected wood that is used, giving special attention to the acoustic and aesthetic qualities of the instrument. The Greenline material that is used gives a focused tone which ensures freedom of expression and flexibility while performing, ideal for the professional musician. Another stand out feature of this clarinet is its exclusively designed bore, which includes internally polished tone holes. Not only does this give a great response, but it also gives homogeneity in all registers of the instrument. As a result, the RC has a great stability that has won over many professional musicians. The implemented egg-shaped resonance cavity gives a bigger sound projection. To prevent cracking or damage, each part has been protected with a metal ring to form a more resistant seal.

Greenline

Traditionally, the majority of clarinets are made from African blackwood (grenadilla) which is a rare species of timber found exclusively in Tanzania, Mozambique and India. Grenadilla is a heavily branched tree which can take around 80 years to grow before profitable harvesting can be done. Buffet Crampon soon realised the environmental concern that Grenadilla is not sustainable and decided to create the Greenline material for their clarinets and oboes. Greenline is formed by merging 95% Grenadilla wood powder with carbon fibre and a specially formulated epoxy resin to create a very durable material. The wood powder is gained from shavings and excess Grenadilla pieces which are discarded when making 100% wood body instruments. Greenline has the same acoustic properties as natural wood and even weighs the same, which is why it is used across all professional clarinets and oboes from Buffet. Greenline is also much more stable than traditional wood instruments in environments where temperatures and atmospheric conditions are constantly changing. Since Greenline does not crack, musicians need only to be concerned about their performance, not the instrument.

Keys and mechanisms

The Buffet RC clarinet has a simple design featuring 18 keys and 6 rings. All keywork is silver plated, which is long lasting and ergonomic - allowing ease of play for busy professionals. This combined with an adjustable thumb rest, makes the RC very nice to play. All tone holes have been undercut and combined with leather and cork pads, creating a great seal with better intonation and tonal character.

Recommended professional clarinet

The Buffet clarinet range comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience from some of the finest craftsmen in the world. Made in Markneukirchen in Germany, this clarinet will ensure many years of hassle free playing through its ease to service and maintain.

Everything you need

This clarinet comes with a pochette style case, which makes transporting the clarinet to gigs, concerts and rehearsals very easy. As well as this the RC comes with a ligature cap and reed pull through.

Buffet Crampon

Since 1825 Buffet has developed around the recognition of its instrument manufacture. The guarantee of such quality is the charm to a player's heart and as all products are made in either France or Germany workshops, this quality is continuously reliable. All workers start as apprentices to learn everything they need to from highly skilled craftspeople, however the most important skills are dedication, passion and patience. Since birth almost every Buffet instrument has been continuously tested and developed. Listening to their player's needs, Buffet has adapted their instruments to cope with modern instrumental demands.

Specifications

• Body: Greenline
• Tuning: 442 Hz
• Key: Bb
• Bore: Poly-cylindrical
• Bell: Prestige with egg-shaped resonance cavity
• Tenons: Metal-capped
• Keys: 18
• Rings: 6
• Thumb rest: Adjustable
• Keywork finish: Silver plated
• Forged keys: Copper and silver
• Springs: Flat blue steel
• Lever: Standard Eb/Ab
• Pads: Combination GT (100 Waterproof and breathable), leather & cork
• Included accessories: Pochette style case, ligature cap and reed pull through