WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
2525 East Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67211
Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858  When these superb clarinets were built, of course, Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Company (New York) as the importer for the States.  In those years, Buffet made only ONE professional model clarinet.....the R-13.  Less expensive models were stamped "Evette-Schaeffer" or "Evette".  The R-13 was the best model and, in our opinion, still is.As good as a new one?  Nah....BETTER, in our opinion. Simply said, the quality of the wood in the fifties was superb. And that means the tone-color is rich and dark.  Without being too immodest, I can report to our customers and friends that we DO INDEED know clarinets.   I've personally played thousands of Buffets (no exaggeration), still prefer the used late 1920's Buffet I purchased in 1963.....I still use it today!We've sold new Buffet clarinets since 1954 and the late Harry Burgess (at one time a 50% part owner of our company) was employed by Carl Fischer (New York) for two years as a clarinet specialist.And yes, I still own 600 or so shares of "Buffet-Crampon, S.A.".  Simply said, we are not amateurs, not "back bedroom" operators.  And we know clarinets very well indeed.CLARIFEST 2017!  Yes, indeed.  We'll be in Orlando Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 27, 28 & 29 July!
******************************************************************************************************** Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including six of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell the occasional unrestored historical instruments each year. Here’s what we do to all the used clarinets we sell: The instrument is taken apart and everything washed clean. We don’t believe in chemical dips, but do use plenty of soap and water! All wood parts are inspected for checks and damage, polished and then soaked in oil for three days. After the body-shop work’s been completed, we swedge hinge-tubes tight again and re-fit to the clarinet body. Finally, pads and corks are replaced and the instrument play-tested. Most customers tell us that our clarinets are then actually mechanically better than new. Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years: ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace - whichever in our estimation is the more advisable - pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. In the event of cracked or damaged wood sections, we will repair at no cost to the customer or replace the section and charge the customer only for our net costs for the replacement section. Often, wood replacement parts are supplied from the manufacturer at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees. Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953! In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer. Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation. We collect NO SALES TAX, unless you’re lucky enough to live in Kansas. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight charges on returned equipment. International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument on approval for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to please reimburse us for Ebay, clean-up and restocking charges (2.95%) on any returned instrument. VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER/MONEY/BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER/PAYPAL ACCEPTED. Credit cards not accepted from some countries. We must ship to the credit card billing address or paypal confirmed address with exceptions made only at our discretion. We’re happy to correspond with musicians, players, parents and enthusiasts of all types. Written appraisals are always available, but please don’t write or telephone and ask what’s granny’s mellophone worth? Do an Ebay search and you’ll be able to figure it out for yourself. Please see our other auctions: