The Buffet RC Bb clarinet is one of our most popular professional model clarinet. The choice of professionals since 1955.

This new model version is the first variation of the RC in nearly 40 years. It now comes with 2 barrels (65mm & 66mm), enabling it to play at A-440 & A-442. It also enables flexibility in either cold or hot weather. It also has a slightly reduced bell flare at the bottom. Visually there is a new "RC" logo set into a silver-plated disc on the front of the top joint.

You can try out this new version at our Hove shop - we can also send one to our other shops on request.

The Buffet RC clarinet was developed in 1975 by the talented luthier Robert Carree and has a pure, sweet sound. The exclusive bore results in easy response and a homogeneity in all registers.

Features:

• African blackwood (grenadilla) body
• Silver-plated keywork
• Pitch A440/442 with 2 barrels
• Power forged keywork, pre-plated in copper and finished in silver plate
• 17 keys and 6 rings
• Stainless steel rods and pivot screws
• Bore: Upper joint Poly-cyndrical, lower joint and bell conical
• Tapered bore design for a warmer sound
• white leather pads
• Deluxe hard case with locks

R13 or RC?

The Buffet R13 and RC clarinets are very similar. The R13 was designed for the American market and the RC for the European market. Previously, the R13 has been more popular in the UK, but it is becoming more of a 50/50 split recently.

The R13 has a very slightly darker sound to it and the RC has a little more flexibility. The bore on the R13 is more cylindrical and the RC is more tapered at the lower end, the speaker pipe is also higher up. The keywork is practically the same between the two models.

We find the instruments very similar, it will come down to personal preference with which one you chose. We recommend you visit one of our stores to try different the models if you are unsure.