history of buffet clarinets

In 1825, the French instrument maker Denis Buffet-Auger opened his workshop in the heart of Paris. He soon became well-known for the development of his clarinet with 13 keys. In 1830, his son Jean Louis Buffet took over the business. He married Zoé Crampon in 1836 and the famous brand name bUFFET CRAMPON was created. The company logo as it is used today dates from 1844.

Louis Auguste Buffet, Jean-Louis’ uncle cooperated with Hyacinthe Klosé, a virtuoso clarinettist and teacher at the music conservatory in Paris. The German Theobald Boehms had developed movable rings for the flute, Louis and Hyacinthe adapted this system to the clarinet. In 1839, they successfully presented their new clarinet. In 1850, the BUFFET CRAMPON production facilities were built in Mantes la Ville. In 1866, 20 years after the invention of the saxophone by Adolphe Sax, BUFFET CRAMPON started their saxophone production.

Since 1918, BUFFET CRAMPON has been exporting their instruments to the USA, establishing their position as world leading manufacturer of professional clarinets. In cooperation with Robert Carrée, innovative bores were developed: the R13 bore in 1950 and the RC bore in 1975, leading to the launch of the professional "Festival" and "Prestige" clarinets.

In 1981, BUFFET CRAMPON joined the Boosey & Hawkes group. Over the last years, the production facilities have been modernized. The BUFFET CRAMPON research and development team is successfully adapting modern techniques while safeguarding the skills of the past, maintaining the world renowned quality of their instruments.

Buffet clarinets
Louis Auguste Buffet, 1862