The seller assembled it, not me, these are pictures from the seller and I have requested pictures of the serial number but have yet to get it. If I don't hear back, I would assume it is a counterfeit. In your opinion, would an old R13 be better than a new E11?
The E-11s come in a variety of flavors per say,
The original E-11 made by Shreiber in germany. I prefer the sound of these E11s and have some general keywork. This model has plastic tonehole inserts.
The newer E-11 Shreiber which normally had silver plated keys. The keywork for these are thick and more geared towards the more rough use from Students. A much better step up from the earlier model. This model has plastic tonehole inserts.
Then Buffet introduced their rendition of the E-11, the E-11 France. Which has silver plated keywork. This model had quality control issues mostly related to the joints fitting improperly. ==>
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnBuffet.htm#E11France
Then to lower the price they introduced their E-11 france (model E-11N) with Chinese sourced nickel keywork. This model had rampant quality control issues all over the place. This model had a short longevity.
This may or may not be the E-11 Nickel ...
I've never actually researched them before nor have seen any. Picture from Kesslerandsons.com ==>
Then Shreiber filed for bankruptcy back in 2010. And someone at Buffet "got a clue" and bought Shreiber and now sell the E-11 France as a E-12F next to the E-11 Germany model again. Shreiber had continued to make Buffet oboes , E-11 C, Eb and A clarinets.
An older R-13 on the other hand is *not* designed for students. It's was the Pro instrument for Buffet for a number of years before they introduced anything else. A well-kept one is a great instrument to use, though the keywork is not as sturdy as a new E-11. The tonal flexibility of an R13 is what college professors strive their students to have as a top notch training tool, plus what most are used to.
So it all depends upon what you are striving to use a R13 or E11 for, even which version E-11 it is.
Though an old R13 may sell for more than a new E11 at street price.
FYI, I would guess from the pic the E-11 is a Shreiber/Germany made one. But it's just a guess without seeing a made in Germany stamp or anything else.
And for you novelty E-11 aficionados .. the E-11 in clear plastic, lucite or what ever it was.