Hi. Noob here, but I have read virtually everything there is online about Buffet clarinets. Information overload lol. Just beginning to play. I have a very perplexing serial number issue/question, and I have exhausted all my research abilities trying to answer it on my own. Please bear with my long post and help if you can.
My aunt just gifted me her Made in Germany E11 Bb clarinet with silver keys. Excellent shape. She bought it at a music store new in 2001. It plays nicely, given my beginner skills. Ok, I went to research the serial number, which I found stamped on both the upper joint (by the bottom) as well as on the lower joint (near the top). So both serial number listing are right above and below each other. They match. The stamped number is 750250 in both places. I entered this number at the Buffet website in their search tool, and when I hit search, the blank entry field returned, with no results. It didn't say "error," or "no results found;" it just redrew the same page, with a blank sn entry box. So I looked at a couple of serial number lists found with a Google search. These seemed to be identical to all the other serial number lists I came across, and they are on reputable clarinet websites,, and many people use those lists. However, I cannot find the serial number 750250 on any list. The numbers on any of the serial numbers don't even go near that high in the 6 digits on any of the lists. What could the issue be? Could this be a counterfeit Buffet E11? I found a resource listing things to look for in fake E11s (the tips given by an actual Buffet representative), and there are no red flags. It is beautifully made and crafted, finished well, and all the keys work smoothly. The stamp below the serial number on the lower joint says made in Germany. The keys are indeed silver, as they are a uniform dark grey from not having been polished with silver cleaner in a long time. It has a brown well-fitted hard case with a gold Buffet logo on it. It seems to have a great sound, too. But could it just be a beautifully made counterfeit? Please advise on how I can find out, where I can look, or who I can contact to figure it out. I am a great researcher and investigator, so I am really puzzled by finding a dead end. I am 54 and have just begun learning the clarinet, having only played the French horn in Jr high band for 2 yrs. I love it, and so far I love this instrument. Thanks so much for welcoming me into this community. I am eager to learn from all the members' experiences and knowledge. Cheers! Jason
My aunt just gifted me her Made in Germany E11 Bb clarinet with silver keys. Excellent shape. She bought it at a music store new in 2001. It plays nicely, given my beginner skills. Ok, I went to research the serial number, which I found stamped on both the upper joint (by the bottom) as well as on the lower joint (near the top). So both serial number listing are right above and below each other. They match. The stamped number is 750250 in both places. I entered this number at the Buffet website in their search tool, and when I hit search, the blank entry field returned, with no results. It didn't say "error," or "no results found;" it just redrew the same page, with a blank sn entry box. So I looked at a couple of serial number lists found with a Google search. These seemed to be identical to all the other serial number lists I came across, and they are on reputable clarinet websites,, and many people use those lists. However, I cannot find the serial number 750250 on any list. The numbers on any of the serial numbers don't even go near that high in the 6 digits on any of the lists. What could the issue be? Could this be a counterfeit Buffet E11? I found a resource listing things to look for in fake E11s (the tips given by an actual Buffet representative), and there are no red flags. It is beautifully made and crafted, finished well, and all the keys work smoothly. The stamp below the serial number on the lower joint says made in Germany. The keys are indeed silver, as they are a uniform dark grey from not having been polished with silver cleaner in a long time. It has a brown well-fitted hard case with a gold Buffet logo on it. It seems to have a great sound, too. But could it just be a beautifully made counterfeit? Please advise on how I can find out, where I can look, or who I can contact to figure it out. I am a great researcher and investigator, so I am really puzzled by finding a dead end. I am 54 and have just begun learning the clarinet, having only played the French horn in Jr high band for 2 yrs. I love it, and so far I love this instrument. Thanks so much for welcoming me into this community. I am eager to learn from all the members' experiences and knowledge. Cheers! Jason