Beautiful Buffet R13 Bb Clarinet-HWC Premium Cork/Valentno Setup!

Description

This is a Buffet Crampon R13 professional Bb clarinet with nickel plated keys in beautiful condition. There are no repaired cracks or chips and the wood is in excellent condition. The plating is in flawless condition.
This instrument has been expertly overhauled by Christopher Howard, instrument technician and owner of the Howard Woodwind Company using only the highest quality materials and most exacting standards. The serial number is mid 400,000s, however it is in like-new condition. It comes in a NEW Pro-tec Pro Pack case.
Overhaul service included:
- Complete tear-down, cleaning, and inspection of instrument body and keys
- 7 day wood conditioning process
- Buffing and polishing of all keys, posts, and rings
- Replacement of all pads with cork and/or Valentino synthetic pads (these pads offer superior lifespan and performance and are chosen based on their role in the instrument?s performance)
- Tightening and adjustment of all keywork
- All new silencing and adjustment corks and felts
- Spring tension adjustment
*see below for a more detailed description of my overhaul process
As a professional clarinetist, teacher, and instrument tech, I am in a unique position to discern good clarinet work from great clarinet work. I strive to maintain the highest quality product possible, and this instrument is no exception! This clarinet is concert hall ready; it comes in its original case as shown in pictures.
Recent feedback from satisfied
customers
:
"Wonderful looking instrument with helpful care info, plays beautifully!" -canufish
"Item received very quickly and in better than expected condition."  -erickreuge2
"Seller delivered a beautiful instrument exceeding my expectations & I thank him."  -billibrun
"Well-packed, beautiful clarinet with helpful care info! Looks wonderful!"  -curtacrazy62
"So beautifully made! Thanks for the Delrin barrel."  -niceoldhorns
?Beautiful Clarinet, Plays Great, Thank you!? -pbs1227
?Above and beyond,...BEAUTIFUL instrument in performance condition. Arrived early? -robcalifj
The HWC Premium Overhaul Process:
·       The instrument is completely disassembled and stripped of all pads, corks, and bumpers. During disassembly, all keys are checked for end-play. Hinge tubes are swedged and pivot screws are counter-sunk to eliminate any excess play. This allows for pads to seat consistently and reduces unwanted key noise.
·       If necessary, the body is washed and gently scrubbed in mild detergent and warm water to dislodge dirt and grime from tone holes, then immediately blown dry with compressed air.
·       The clarinet body is oiled thoroughly with a mixture of almond oil and vitamin E (which preserves the oil). This step conditions the wood and allows the grain to swell, preventing moisture penetration. Depending on the condition of the wood grain, the oil may be left on the body for as many as seven days before being cleaned and polished.
·       All keys are soaked in degreaser and buffed to a brilliant shine, removing tarnish and oxidation, leaving them looking new again
·       New felt, cork, nylon, teflon, neoprene, and leather bumpers and silencers are installed. I have chosen a very specific combination of these materials based on years of playing and tech experience. This combination optimizes the silence, feel, and performance of the key mechanism.
·       The body is cleaned, polished and carefully inspected for cracks or chipped tone holes. Tone holes are resurfaced to ensure a perfect seal and cracks (if any) are repaired with carbon fiber pins. (There is an additional charge for crack repair; the customer will always be notified beforehand). Posts and rings are buffed to a brilliant shine. If any tenon rings are loose, they are shimmed tight. If there is any sticking in the tenons, it is repaired at this stage.
·       New tenon corks are installed and sanded to ensure a snug fit without being so tight that keys are under stress during assembly.
·       The clarinet is reassembled and a combination of premium synthetic and cork pads installed. All cork pads and certain synthetic pads have a step cut in so that they extend out to the edge of the pad cup, just like a traditional felt pad. This ensures that the pad is seating and sealing properly on the tone hole. These pads have a life span of about 10 years. As each key is installed, a premium synthetic clockmaker's oil is used on the rods and a synthetic hydrocarbon grease is used on all pivot screws. These lubricants function at a level far superior to their petroleum-based counterparts and don't break down over time, which will prevent sluggish key action over the years. Spring tension on each key is checked and modified if necessary to ensure light, quick action that still has a good amount of 'snap' to it.
·       After final assembly/pad installation, final adjustments are made and the instrument is play-tested, usually for about 45 minutes. The instrument then sits overnight and is play-tested again, with adjustments being made if necessary. The clarinet is then wiped clean and re-packed for delivery.