Buffet Crampon: Encyclopedia II - Buffet Crampon - History

Buffet Crampon - History

Denis Buffet-Auger began making quality clarinets in Paris, France in 1825. The company expanded under Jean-Louis Buffet and his wife Zoe Crampon. Louis Auguste Buffet, a relative of Jean-Lous, worked with famous clarinetist Hyacinth Klose to develop the Boehm system for clarinet, adopting a moveable key system from the flute.

In 1850, Buffet-Crampon established its headquarters at Mantes-la-Ville. The company continued to expand its range and quality in instrument production, beginning saxophone production in 1866, and winning numerous awards. The company began to take root in the American woodwind industry during the early 1900s.

In 1950, the company developed its famous R13 clarinet, an extremely popular professional-level clarinet. In 1981, Buffet joined Boosey & Hawkes, which sold the French company to The Music Group in 2003. Recently, Buffet has made efforts to protect the African Blackwood trees, which provide grenadilla wood for clarinets, from being eliminated. Buffet has made clarinet out of 95% Grenadilla and 5% carbon fiber.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki