Buffet - Crampon

Denis Buffet-Auger a craftsman and wood-turner of wood musical instruments opened in 1825 in the centre of Paris, his laboratory. Here he began in a short time a famous, appreciated wind musical instruments maker. Particularly he developed mechanics and quality for 13 Keys clarinet. In 1830 Jean-Louis Buffet Denis son took factory in his hands and in 1836 marrying Zoe Crampon created the Buffet.Crampon brand. Really the Buffet-Crampon Brand appeared for first time in 1844.

From a collaboration between Louis-Auguste Buffet (Jean-Louis uncle) and Hyacinthe Klosè, a clarinet virtuoso, Teacher of clarinet at Conservatory of Paris, they developed an adjustment on Clarinet of German BOHM System patented for flute.
For first time this improved clarinet was exhibited in 1839, so it had a great success and BUFFET Co. to satisfy instruments request in 1850 changed factory location near Paris at Mantes-la-Ville.

In 1866 BUFFET produced his first Saxophone, of course favoured (like other manufacturers) from Adolphe Sax Patent terms.
Then the SERIES I (1866-‘70_from 0 to 792) : These early saxophones were made copying faithfully Sax “design”, probably because Buffet was also a Maison Sax Agent.
SERIES II (1871-‘87_ from 793 to 7xxx ca.): Jean Crampon reorganized Company and just in this period it’s possible see early instruments marked “Buffet-Crampon,Cie”.
But about these models there is no significant change in design respect to previous A.Sax-copy production.
To note in XIX century in France there were different musical “Pitch Standard” and when early Buffet Sax were produced, probably they were Sound Frequency instruments with A=435hz because it was from 1914 when International Standard Pitch became A=440hz “.
Frequently Buffet marked also on his instruments LP / Low-Pitch or HP / High Pitch(American standard A=457hz).

In the meanwhile in 1885 Paul EVETTE and Ernest SCHAEFFER purchased Buffet-Crampon and we find a first saxophone with “Evette-Schaeffer” brand in July 1887.
Early international recognitions already arrived for Buffet, as that received in 1888 at Exposition Universelle in Paris. In 1918 Buffet-Crampon entered in Us-market acquiring the world leadership between clarinet-makers.

EVETTE-SCHAEFFER “System” Models (1887 -1927_ from 7xxx to 294xx ca.):
They’re included models made with “Evette-Schaeffer” Brand, there are models still very similar to first Buffet production maybe sold at lower prices regards to more up-to-date models (“non-patented” and Evette-Schaeffer “patented”) with improved Key-mechanics and with larger acoustic range. In this period especially for exported Us-models made for Carl Fischer or H.N.White-King you can see an engraving with brands “Buffet-Crampon” - “Evette-Schaeffer” together. Certainly from 1916 it was introduced the standard Octave-Key system, they were produced also A=457hz and A=440hz saxophones. Any of these instruments has a “Conn” brand engraved avoiding export fees from France.
BUFFET – EVETTE Models (1918-‘33_from nr. 1 to 2xxx ca.):
They are really similar to previous Evette-Schaeffer patented models, with new serial numbers from nr.1 and mother-of-pearl keys.
“APOGEE SYSTEM” Models (1908-‘30_from 18xxx to 30xxx ca.):
These are very innovative models with alternative Key-system introduced in this period only on a short number of saxophones, it provided for addition of 2 Keys: 1st key got a central G#3 also with right hand through a lever on right side of sax near F-3/E-3/D-3 Keys group; 2nd key got to close LowBb-2 hole with right hand little finger, giving for left hand easily Bb2-B2 Trill (very hard fingering for other saxophones where lowering Bb-2 key was closed B2 key). on “Apogee” models you can see also a modified easier low-Eb key but for the rest it was a normal Alto.
BUFFET-POWELL Models (1930-‘39_from 30xxx to 35xxx ca.):
These saxophones were totally designed (patented) and really handmade by Edward V.Powell (son of famous Verne Powell founder of known Powell Flute Co.), when E.Powell himself worked in Boston. This strange Instrument has 4 Octave-Key Holes, early two holes on back side of sax perpendicularly one after another from D to G#, the other couple of holes is on neck, one of these to right back it opens from high A to h-D, the second farther on left from high D# up. Mullions, levers and keys of right hand are positioned with their fulcrum to right side instead of left like standard saxophones. It seems about sound, intonation quality these are remarkable instruments, but really these series was made in few models just for any years.
“S.A.” - “18-20” or “Series VII-VIII” Models (1940-‘49_ from 1 to 1xxx) :
The models called S.A. or “18-20” for their engraving on the Bell (S.A.= Sociète Anonyme ? Maybe similar to English “Incorporated Company” while 18-20 were address numbers of Buffet), show some differences about used materials and for design; from 1940 to ’44 keyguards have a “wire metal” look typical of many saxes of the age, from ’45 to ’49 like metal stripes or small plates. The acoustic range is still from low Bb to high F. These are very good saxophones with no particular building elements.
“DYNACTION” Models (1950-‘57_from 1 to 47xx): Previous models of most famous “SuperDynaction” not much different regards “S.A.” models. However sound and tone have an high standard, with a lightly darker timbre of Selmer-“superaction I” and other saxophones it must competed in this age.
“SUPERDYNACTION” (1957-‘75_from 47xx to 226xx ca.): The most famous and maybe the best Buffet saxophones, one of better competitor of Selmer MarkVI. The engraving “Superdynaction” is on the Sax-body, some time they have High F# key and all models are with no G# trill-key. They have also the famous logo “BC” on a small plate used as junction between Body and Bell of sax, it is also on previous models, generally it left a free vibration for sax body and bell too. Sound and tone are by Highest quality saxophone, it is considered one of best saxophones made in all times.
“S SERIES” :
S1 (1973 - ’88);
S1 “Prestige” (1981 - ’88);
S2 (1983 – ’86);
S3 (1995 – since today);
S3 “Prestige” (1989 – since today).
These are up-to-date versions of “superdynaction” models, with small differences about keys and shape-dimensions of bell, but really very similar to previous models.
Of course High F# key is became a standard key.
The “Prestige” models sax-body is in Copper (silver-plated for option), for his soft and warm timbre more suitable for a classical-orchestral use.
In 1981 Buffet-Crampon was incorporated in “Boosey&Hawkes”-London Musical Company.
In 2005 became again an independent brand under supervision of Paul Baronnat.
In 2006 Buffet-Crampon purchased 2 historic brasswinds French brands: Antoine Courtois and Besson