Why I don't recommend buying a new Buffet clarinet

Why I don’t recommend buying a new Buffet clarinet

• Buffet’s customer support is almost nonexistent.

One of my students bought a new Buffet, and within a month the plating starting peeling off the keys. After several attempts to get customer service, both by me and the student, she finally got hold of the regional sales representative who told her that he couldn’t (wouldn’t?) do anything. The clarinet was in warranty, but Buffet, through the regional sales rep., refused to do anything about it.

I’ve known four people whose new Buffet clarinets have cracked in the upper joint. Buffet refused to fix them. (Yes, clarinets crack, but the number of times I’ve learned of cracking on these horns was ‘way beyond the number I would expect among new clarinets.) One player had to pay for an entirely new upper joint when his Tosca cracked through the tone holes a week after he bought it.

• Buffet clarinets are overpriced (as most woodwind are nowadays)

They are especially overpriced compared to clarinets that are of the same and often better quality. For example, Buffet’s top-of-the-line Bb Tosca sells for $9,273.00. Selmer’s top model, “Muse”, is $7,399. Luis Rossi’s handmade clarinets (with choice of bore styles, woods, and other customizations) are $5,650. Yamaha’s CSG is $5,208. Royal Global’s “Firebird” is about $5,000. 

Do you want to pay as much as $4000 more than an instrument of the same quality just to have the name “Buffet” engraved on your  clarinet?

Why is Buffet the clarinet “everyone” buys, even though there are so many less expensive options that are just as good and often better for models in a particular price range?

• Buffet relies on what many of call their “Buffet Mafia”, people who have been indoctrinated with the idea that Buffet clarinets are “the best”, with no other make approaching them. This idea is so pervasive and intrenched that, in my own experience, EVERY Buffet player who was not a professional player who has tried my Rossi and Leblanc clarinets has told me they don’t like them…after a minute or two of playing.

• Buffet relies on their clarinets being in stock in most places, satisfying impatient people who might otherwise have to wait to try instruments of from another maker.

My bottom line is that, from a strictly personal perspective and not even considering the quality and customer support problems, I just don’t think any Buffet I’ve played has been “better” in any way than any of the top-of-the-line clarinets from other manufacturers. I have no reason to put them at the head of the list.