Some Evette models might also have a “Master Model” stamped beneath the Buffet Crampon logo. If your clarinet is wood-bodied with the same “EVETTE” stamped in the middle of the Buffet Crampon emblem, then you are holding a B12 model, if it is a plastic bodied clarinet than you have an E11. The Selmer Company continued to grow acquiring other legendary brands and makers such as Vincent Bach, Buescher, Glaesel, Ludwig, Musser, Emerson, and William Lewis & Son.If you find “EVETTE” stamped in the middle of the Buffet Crampon emblem, then you have one of Buffet Crampon‘s student or intermediate grade clarinets pre 1983. The clarinet established a reputation for affordability and high quality and by 1978, sold over one million units. The clarinet was modeled after the famous Selmer Paris BT clarinet used by notable artists like Benny Goodman. In 1948, Selmer produced the first successfully molded plastic clarinet called the Bundy Resonite 1400. In the late 1920’s Bundy purchased the American business from the Selmer brothers, while maintaining the exclusive distributorship of Henri Selmer Paris products in the US. Conn in Elkhart, it was known as the “Band Instrument City of the World.” In the late 1920’s in response to growing demand for the flutes, Bundy brought a young flute craftsman, Kurt Gemeinhardt from Germany to work for him. In the early 1920’s, Bundy moved his operations to Elkhart, Indiana in search of a stronger labor pool. Hiring George Haynes, he began operating in Boston under the names “Original Haynes” and “Master Flute”. In 1920, Bundy moved into the area of flute manufacturing. Bundy expanded the business to incorporate selling and distributing instruments from other companies such as Vincent Bach, Martin, Ludwig, and Musser. In 1911, Alexandre returned to Paris to assist the family business, leaving his US interests in the hands of George Bundy. George Bundy began working in the store under the guidance of Alexandre Selmer. Alongside his performances, he opened a Selmer retail store in downtown New York with teaching and repair facilities.

In 1909, Alexandre moved to New York City as the principal clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic. The Selmer clarinets grew quite a following and in 1904, even received a gold medal at the World’s Fair in St Louis. Alexandre Selmer moved to the United States performing as the principal clarinetist for the Boston Symphony. In 1885, Henri began making reeds, mouthpieces, and clarinets in Paris. The story of the Selmer Company dates back to the 1800’s with brothers Alexandre and Henri Selmer’s graduation from the Conservatoire de Paris.

Bundy Clarinets Serial Number