Buffet Crampon E11 Review: Is It Still the Best Intermediate Clarinet?
- Gabriel Blasberg
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Buying your first wooden clarinet is a critical step for any advancing musician. It is the exact moment you leave synthetic resin behind to seek the density and tonal warmth of African blackwood. However, the step-up market is filled with doubts: does it justify its current price tag, and how has globalization impacted its classic manufacturing process?
As a clarinet teacher, I have seen dozens of instruments pass through my students' hands. In this detailed review, we will thoroughly analyze the Buffet Crampon E11. We will explore its mechanical strengths, its real acoustic limitations depending on key/pitch, and how to avoid falling into historical traps when buying it new or on the secondhand market. This Buffet Crampon E11 review covers everything you need to know before buying.
📈Technical Specifications and Acoustic Geometry
Unlike beginner models built from thermoplastic materials, the Buffet E11 is crafted from selected authentic African blackwood (Dalbergia Melanoxylon).
Wood Treatment: During manufacturing, the instrument body undergoes an oil-immersion process that saturates the wood pores. This provides exceptional structural resistance against cracks caused by climate changes, though it sacrifices a minor percentage of tonal flexibility compared to the natural oiled wood of higher-end models like the R13.
The Bore: Derived directly from the famous poly-cylindrical geometry of the Buffet R13, but featuring a slightly wider diameter. This engineering modification reduces initial blowing resistance (free-blowing), making sound emission much easier. It allows an intermediate or advanced student to project a warm, focused sound without requiring the extreme breath control demanded by a purely professional clarinet.
Keywork and Pads: French Boehm fingering system with 17 keys and 6 rings, mounted on traditional threaded posts and powered by stainless steel springs. Its standard pad setup consists of double-bladder pads, ensuring the traditional airtight acoustic seal characteristic of Buffet Crampon.
🔍 Video: Sam Gregory and Elizabeth Drew talk about the design features and playability of the Buffet Crampon E11; its suitability for younger students upgrading from plastic models, covering key work, weight. |
The Complex Evolution of Its Manufacturing
To make a smart purchase, it is essential to understand that not all Buffet E11s in circulation are identical. The company's corporate changes have led to significant variations in quality depending on the year and assembly location:
Classic German Era by Schreiber (until 2009): Fully manufactured and assembled in Germany. They are identified by the "Made in Germany" engraving on the wood. These are the workhorses of the used market: mechanically indestructible and acoustically stable.
The "E11 France" and "Nickel" Crisis (2009–2011): Buffet moved part of the production to France and introduced the E11N ("Nickel") variant, using smooth press-fit posts and keys from Chinese subcontractors. These series suffered from severe quality control issues, defective pads, and persistent air leaks. If you find a used model from these years at a suspiciously low price, proceed with extreme caution.
The German Return and Birth of the E12F (2011–2022): After acquiring Schreiber's assets, the brand restored its high durability standards by manufacturing the model in Germany once again.
The Contemporary Hybrid Model (2022–present): Currently, the blackwood bodies are still turned in Germany, but they are shipped to Buffet's official plant in China for complete keywork assembly and padding. They no longer feature the engraving on the wood, but rather a "Made in China" adhesive label. Their industrial finish is extremely precise, but their resale value on the used market is lower than that of the purely German eras.
⚠️Buffet Crampon E11 Review: Limitations and Weaknesses
When gathering Buffet Crampon E11 reviews from conservatory professors and repair technicians, the conclusion is clear: it is an excellent, highly robust intermediate instrument, but it is not without mechanical details you should know before buying. To maintain an honest perspective, we must strip away the marketing fluff and expose where the E11 might falter depending on its key:
Bb and A Clarinets: The regulation screw on the throat A key tends to rotate on its axis due to natural vibrations from continuous playing, which can affect adjacent keys if not fixed preventatively.
Eb Clarinet (piccolo): Inherently suffers from intonation challenges due to the drastic reduction of the acoustic tube; the upper section of the clarion register tends to run sharp (high intonation).
C Clarinet: Exhibits less consistent air resistance. The physical scaling creates dull notes in the critical throat tone area, lacking the balanced resonance offered by high-end professional options.
🛒 Where to Buy the Buffet Crampon E11 Safely?
If you want to avoid inflated prices at local shops, the smartest and most reliable route is purchasing through major European online distributors. Here is your strategic buying guide:
The go-to choice for students looking for the standard Bb or Eb model. Thomann eliminates the stress of buying online by offering highly competitive pricing, a 3-year official warranty at no extra cost (vital for protecting wood against initial cracking), and a 30-day Money Back guarantee so you can test the clarinet with your teacher risk-free.
The strategic alternative for advanced or orchestral musicians. Gear4music stands out by offering the Buffet E11 Bb and A Clarinet Pair in its catalog—an ideal matched set for young players joining symphonic ensembles who require identical tonal response. Furthermore, their dispatch system avoids unnecessary customs friction and offers a unique option to purchase extended warranty coverage of up to 10 years against physical accidents and wood cracks.
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