Buffet Crampon is a renowned French manufacturer specializing in high-quality wind instruments, with its headquarters located in Mantes-la-Ville, France. Founded in 1825, the company has built a prestigious reputation over two centuries for its craftsmanship and innovation, particularly in the realm of clarinet production. Buffet Crampon is widely recognized as the market leader in manufacturing Boehm system clarinets, which are favoured for their precise intonation, smooth keywork, and rich tonal quality. Musicians across the globe, from conservatory students to world-class professionals, often consider Buffet Crampon their brand of choice due to its consistent excellence and dedication to advancing wind instrument design.

As Buffet Crampon marks its 200th anniversary in 2025, the company celebrates a legacy defined by artistry, tradition, and a continuous pursuit of musical perfection. Over the years, its instruments have become synonymous with the highest standards in classical and contemporary performance, played in orchestras, solo performances, and educational settings alike. The bicentennial is not only a milestone in the company’s history but also a tribute to the generations of musicians and craftsmen who have contributed to its success. With a deep respect for its heritage and a forward-looking vision, Buffet Crampon continues to shape the future of wind instrument manufacturing on a global scale.

Timeline

1825 – In the heart of Paris the French instrument maker Denis Buffet Auger sets up his workshop. He rapidly becomes well-known in the musical community by producing excellent 13-key clarinets.

1836 – Denis’ son, Jean-Louis Buffet, marries Zoe Crampon and together they create the famous Buffet Crampon brand name.

1844 – The logo used today is first created. It appears on all the instruments created by the company.

1850 – The Buffet Crampon workshops and factory in Mantes-la-Ville are established and the Buffet Crampon Boehm system clarinet is developed.

1866 -Buffet Crampon creates its first saxophones, 20 years after the invention of this instrument by Adolphe Sax.

1877 – Buffet Crampon acquires the Evette & Schaeffer Company and begin to use that name as their instrument brand. Also, in this year they obtain a patent for a mechanism to control an extra key on an extended saxophone bell, extending the lower range from B to B♭.

1889 – Buffet Crampon win several awards at the Universal Exposition in Paris.

1907 – Production is well established with Evette & Schaeffer producing 14 oboe models of various systems in Bb, C, Db and Eb, pastoral oboes in G and Ab, an oboe d’amore in A, musettes in Ab, 8 different cor anglais, 18 bassoon types in C, D, and E, simplified bassoons in F and G, as well as contrabassoons in wood and metal.

1918 – They begin marketing their premium line instruments under their own name, while marketing lower grade instruments variously under the Evette & Schaeffer and Evette brands.

1950 – The famous R13 clarinet is developed, an extremely popular professional-level clarinet. The company also begin production of the Dynaction model saxophones, which would evolve into the Super Dynaction and the highly regarded S series models.

1975 – The year was marked by the arrival of the RC clarinet, which bore the initials of its designer, Robert Carrée.

1981 – Buffet Crampon becomes a member of the famous Boosey & Hawkes group of London.

1994 – The Green LinE Series is created. This series comprises of instruments made from a composite of reconstituted ebony that keep 100% of the acoustic properties and provides reliability and longevity for the instruments.

2004 – The professional clarinets referred to as TOSCA, a development of the R13 family, are devised by Michel Arrignon and perfected in cooperation with the best-known musicians of the time.

2005 – Buffet Crampon Group is created and the company leaves the Boosey and Hawkes group.

2006 – The Buffet Crampon Group acquire two famous brass instrument brands: Antoine Courtois Paris and Besson.

2008 – The acquisition of a historical factory manufacturing clarinets located in la Couture Boussey enabled the company to expand Buffet Crampon’s production and to launch a new high-end student clarinet, the E11 France.

2010 -The company continues to expand. Their facilities in Markneukirchen Germany develop new models of student oboe and clarinet. This year also saw the entry into the group of two new brands: Wenzel Schreiber (clarinets and bassoons) and Julius Keilwerth (saxophones).

2012 – In collaboration with internationally renowned clarinettists, Paul Meyer worked on a research and development project resulting in the Divine clarinet. The Buffet Crampon Group works with soloists from the greatest international orchestras to create Orfeo, the new oboe in Green LinE.

2013 – Senzo, destined to be the new standard in professional alto saxophones, is a needed step forwards in the revival of Buffet Crampon saxophones.

2015 -The Buffet Group founds a subsidiary in China, the Buffet Crampon Manufacturing Musical Instruments Co. LTD.

2019 – They acquire the French oboe manufacturer Rigoutat, Paris.

2020 – A new showroom in Beijing opens and a facility near Shanghai is established with an annual capacity of 50,000 instruments.

2025 – 200 Year Anniversary.

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Click here to see the range of Buffet Crampon Instruments at Ackerman Music