The Vintage R13, patterned after the famous R13s of the 1950s, utilizes many elements not found on the modern R13s. There are no metal tenon rings, several tone hole placements have been adjusted to improve tuning, and the bell is 1mm longer, producing a very fluid clarion register. This instrument comes standard with an adjustable thumb rest, two barrels (one conical / one cylindrical), and a beautiful calfskin double case with plush interior.History In 1996, during a tour of the US and Canada, Rene Lesieux, Buffet's Research and Development Manager, fielded many requests from players who wanted a clarinet with the same feel and sound quality of the 1950's R13s. The result is a clarinet that has a great scale, a fluid sound and better response and sound emission.