The E12F follows the Buffet Crampon tradition: offering a study clarinet capable of supporting several years of progress, with manufacturing standards close to the brand's high requirements. This E12F version is the result of a deliberate synergy between the Research and Development and Production teams in France and Germany: the bore is developed in the French workshops, while assembly, key installation, and quality controls are carried out in Markneukirchen. The result: a coherent, stable instrument highly appreciated in learning curricula.
Positioned as a reference model for young clarinetists, the E12F emphasizes the balance between ease of play, intonation, and sound quality at this price range. It is delivered in a lightweight and ergonomic backpack case, practical for school-conservatory commutes and rehearsals.
The Buffet Crampon E12F is primarily aimed at beginners and intermediate players seeking a reliable Bb clarinet capable of withstanding a steady practice routine while remaining enjoyable to play. It is perfectly suited for students in music schools, conservatories, as well as musicians returning to the clarinet who want a serious instrument without compromise on stability.
Thanks to its balanced perception and homogeneity, it performs well in classical repertoire (studies, pieces, wind orchestra), pop music, and brass band. It can also be suitable for jazz beginners, especially for working on articulation, timing, and sound control, while maintaining a clear enough response to progress technically.
The choice of grenadilla wood (selected and stabilized) provides the typical timbre of wooden clarinets: a dense, warm, and well-centered sound, with a strong presence in the midrange. The bore, inspired by professional models, promotes natural projection and reassuring intonation, two essential points for building good references from the early years.
The instrument stands out for good register homogeneity: smoother transition from chalumeau to clarion, a sense of continuity in color and response, and facilitated sound production to limit fatigue. The leather pads contribute to overall sealing: crisper attacks, more stable low notes, and a more comfortable control feeling at slow tempos as well as in fast passages.
Regarding finish, the wood is coated with a clear varnish aimed at better protecting the instrument daily. The silver-plated keywork combines aesthetics and durability, while the blued steel springs (needle and flat springs) contribute to more precise and smoother key action. The adjustable thumb rest allows adapting the right-hand position and considering the use of a neck strap, a real plus for comfort during long sessions.
To get the best out of your Bb clarinet daily, you can accompany it with simple and universal accessories: cork grease (to preserve the tenon joints), a Bb clarinet swab (to limit residual moisture after playing), and Bb clarinet reeds (strength chosen according to your embouchure and mouthpiece). These essentials improve consistency, instrument hygiene, and playing stability, while extending the lifespan of maintenance elements.