Buffet XXI - Bb Clarinet

Product Information

The latest and greatest from Buffet Clarinets, the new XXI has been introduced as a flagship model. Featuring various new and unique design elements, Buffet are heralding the XXI Clarinet as a "revolution for the 21st century" - strong words, but here's why...

This Bb Clarinet features an extra note, it can produce a low Eb with a full and vibrant tone. Due to the addition of this extra note at the bottom of the clarinet the lower joint is slightly longer than 'usual' Bb Clarinets that have been in use for the last century. This has been accommodated for by shortening the bell to keep the instrument playing to a standard Bb Clarinet tuning scale, whilst gaining a brand new note at the bottom of the instrument - it also allows for a third middle Bb option, more on that in a moment.

Buffet, and their accompanying design specialists and testing artists claim that not only does the XXI deliver the extra low note (useful in certain Orchestral situations) but that the knock-on effect on the design has meant a total re-imagining of the chalumeau register and the tonal colours it can produce. By lengthening the cylinder and reducing the internal flare the character and nature of the lower register has by all accounts improved.

The extension of the lower joint has also brought some surprising changes to the upper register which is now stabilised further, in part thanks to the elongated cylinder lower down the instrument. Also, the new 'low' Eb key can also be deployed to create a third fingering for the notorious middle register Bb which can often be very 'throaty' and a little weak. By playing this middle Bb with the new mechanism it (a) gives the note a new tonal nuance and (b) makes for easier fingering sequences without changing registers if coming down from above.

It's not only the bottom joint that has received the Buffet deluxe design treatment, the top joint features a raised C/G tone hole which improves the overall balance of the left hand and cleans up those notes and the C#/G#. The top joint also features Green LinE tone hole slots to help avoid cracking. The bottom joint, bell and barrel also feature carbon fibre rings to help reduce weight. The whole clarinet (even including the longer bottom joint) weighs no more than previous Buffet Bb Clarinets.

The XXI features a mix of GT pads (100% waterproof and breathable) and natural cork pads. The instrument is silver and gold plated and also comes with a left hand Eb lever, along with the new Low Eb/Bb key which is positioned on the right hand pinky cluster. The instrument is supplied with a smart case, silver plated cap with a rose gold ligature and a cleaning pull through. Please note: Buffet do not supply mouthpieces with any of their professional clarinets.

• Brand new design for the 21st century clarinettist
• Designed by Eric Baret alongside four artists: Martin Frost, Paul Meyer, Michel Arrignon and Nicolas Baldeyrou
• New bottom joint features a low Eb/Bb key mechanism
• Premium hand-selected Grenadilla wood body
• Supplied with case, ligature and cap (no mouthpiece)