Buffet Crampon E12F Step-Up Clarinet Outfit

Awesome describes our collective reaction to this instrument ranging from our 14 year old musician, to family members who enjoy his play, to music teacher to band director. We traded up from another 'intermediate' wood clarinet to the E12 for my son who just entered high school level band. Tonal quality immediately improved but what is most noticeable is the tonal quality of the upper notes such as high G. Toping it off is the price (well below several local music stores we visited) and to our delight the very short period of time from order to delivery. Its a buy!!This clarinet continues to have great tonal quality. Our 14 year old is now going on 19 and playing same E12 at University and getting raves for its tonal quality. He used a Vandoren 3.5plus reed. This new reed enhances the upper registers.

It is definitely a quality instrument. However, the one I received required adjustment of two keys and the corks were so tight that even putting it in the fridge and applying warmth to the larger part still required enough strength and pressure to raise concern about damaging the instrument. I had to sand all but one of the corks (very very lightly with 600 grit) in order to mitigate that risk. I have several mouth pieces and the one they provide is a good one for most intermediate players, but not if you use stiffer reeds. I was hoping it would have a nice dark mellow tone, but for me at least it does not. I also hoped the company would provide some of the usual stats like mouth piece opening, bore dimension etc., but they did not.With the case being a backpack, the tonal quality, and other attributes; it appears to me as though it is intended for a third or forth year student and use in marching bands rather than a mature instrument that would work for a bluesy gig or symphonic. You might be able to achieve a lmore professional result with some adjustments to your set-up at more cost. Having said that, we are all different, so I can only report what it works for me. I believe you could achieve like or better quality with an intermediate woody from several other makers. The Buffet mystique didn't work for me. I'll probably replace the instrument and eat the loss.

Wonderfully crafted wooden clarinet with a really great instrument case, a big improvement over the small, cramped hard case of old. The new back pack has room for all necessary accessories and even storage for miscellaneous item. The case has a great handle for carrying plus rings so that it can be carried as a back pack. Everything is included to get a great start, including a quality reed and a first class swab.The clarinet is well up to Buffet standards, the best in the music world, and will give years of great service regardless of the level of the performer. I consider it to be an excellent purchase and should I purchase another clarinet, it will most certainly be a Buffet!

After nearly 50 years of playing a Buffet Crampon Evette clarinet, which was designed for students, I decided to upgrade to the E12. The tone is much richer and complex than I could have imagined. Even my wife could notice the difference. While expensive, it was definitely a case of paying for quality.

I purchased this clarinet as an intermediate instrument for my daughter. The sound difference and the quality difference between this and her starter clarinet is dramatic. This was definitely worth every penny.

We received the clarinet with the shipping box intact. My daughter waited until her lesson to open the box. Her music teacher is the one who unwrapped and assembled the clarinet. The teacher just called to say the "A" key is not closing, therefore the clarinet will not work at all. The product is too expensive to not work properly.

Beautiful instrument. Exactly as promised.

My daughter loves it so far!