Detail 01
Nickel-plated keys
Harder and more wear-resistant than silver plate, and it does not tarnish. Some players find nickel feels slightly slicker under the fingers.
Product detailSKU #1274228085994
Buffet CramponR13 Professional Bb Clarinet With Nickel-Plated Keys
Sale
1/9
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Buffet's professional Bb clarinet with nickel-plated keywork. For advancing and working players stepping up from an intermediate horn.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Conservatory auditions and university-level study
- Orchestral and wind ensemble section playing
- A serious player's long-term primary Bb
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- First-year beginners — the money is wasted before technique arrives
- Players with nickel skin sensitivity
- Anyone needing an A clarinet; this is Bb only
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Bb clarinet
The standard concert and band pitch. Orchestral repertoire will eventually also ask for an A clarinet, bought separately.
Detail 03
Professional tier
Built to hold tuning and response under demanding repertoire, and to survive daily hours of playing for years.
Detail 04
$4,000 price point
This is a career instrument, not a stepping stone. Expect to keep it through school and into professional work.
Detail 05
R13 model
Buffet's long-standing professional design, so pads, corks and repairs are familiar to any competent clarinet technician.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Budget for a professional mouthpiece and ligature — the stock setup limits the horn
- 02Play it in gradually over the first weeks rather than long sessions
- 03Wood clarinets need humidity control and regular tech servicing
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Nickel or silver keys — does it matter?
Nickel resists tarnish and wear better and needs less polishing. Silver feels warmer to some hands. Tonally the difference is negligible. Choose on skin sensitivity and upkeep.
02Is this too much clarinet for a high schooler?
Not if they are serious and auditioning for college programs. For a casual player two years in, an intermediate horn does the job for far less.
03Do I need an A clarinet too?
For orchestral work, eventually yes. Much of the orchestral repertoire is written for A. For band, jazz and solo work, the Bb alone is enough.
04What maintenance does it need?
Swab after every session, keep it away from temperature swings and dry air, and have a technician check pads and corks at least yearly.
