About Us
Welcome!
It's hard to fathom the breathtaking changes to our world that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. We hope you stay safe and healthy during this difficult period, and adhere to the guidelines suggested by our health professionals to help us minimize the spread of the virus. Take every opportunity to thank the doctors, nurses, equipment producers and providers, grocery store clerks, delivery drivers, farmers, and countless other people who are working, sometimes at great risk to their own health, to provide for us. We are grateful.
Sadly but wisely the Executive Board of the International Clarinet Association made the difficult decision to cancel the Reno ClarinetFest Conference. To Mitch and his team, and to Jessica and the staff of ICA, thank you for your continuing stewardship of the organization. We look forward to seeing all of you in Fort Worth in 2021.
A2C2 has postponed its May restocking trip to the Buffet Crampon factory outside of Paris. We hope to be able to reschedule that trip before the end of 2020. We are, however, still open for business, but taking precautions of course to minimize interaction with people. If you are local and need a repair, please be in touch to coordinate the best way to make that happen. If you are in the market for a new instrument, our inventory is still quite strong, and we are happy to ship instruments for trial. Rest assured that any horns going out will be disinfected and packed using proper hygiene.
If you are in the market for a new R13 Bb or A clarinet, Buffet Crampon USA is offering an R13 Promotion through the end of 2020. The promotion consists of $250 off the published price, so the world's most played clarinet is an even better value!
Ann Arbor Clarinet Connection is owned by professional clarinetists with a singular purpose: to provide our clients with the most interesting, resonant, complex, colorful clarinets that Buffet Crampon produces. All of the instruments we stock are hand-selected at either the Buffet Crampon factory in Mantes-la-Ville, France, or at the Buffet Crampon North American headquarters in Jacksonville, FL. Spring tensions and key heights are regulated on all instruments. All sales include Buffet Crampon's Warranty Policies. Trade-ins are always welcome!
In addition, all professional model Buffet Crampon clarinets that A2C2 sells can be set-up in-house for a nominal charge. This set-up includes an upgrade to cork pads and Buffet Custom GT pads on R13 models, or to cork pads on the upper joint of Tradition, Festival, RC, R13 Prestige, and RC Prestige models.
It is our stated goal to provide the best Buffet Crampon clarinets to our clients in the most simple means possible. Visiting Ann Arbor is an option, of course, and we provide a comfortable, stress-free environment to play through instruments. We don't participate in social media as we value your privacy. If coming to Ann Arbor isn't possible, we'll happily send instruments to you for trial.
We are also pleased to announce that Ramon Wodkowski has just introduced a new bass clarinet mouthpiece! Highly resonant, great response, easy articulation, and lots of overtones giving the sound color and carry. We have them in limited numbers, as well as his Bb mouthpieces.
Please call or write with any questions, or to discuss the best way to get instruments and/or Wodkowski mouthpieces into your hands.
Repairs
We offer a range of professional clarinet repairs and adjustments at a reasonable bench rate. Repads can be done in cork, synthetic, or Buffet Crampon leather pads. New instruments purchased through us are protected from mechanical issues under warranty (durations vary), and we are capable of fixing most any problem that may arise. We also offer complimentary maintenance for life on all new instrument purchases!