Innovating and Creating
Benchmark Instruments

The pieces of raw wood (blocks) are shaped, turned, and cut to the length needed for each of our models. They are then soaked in linseed oil, dried, and ready for the next step.

The sander plays a crucial role in the final appearance of the instrument. This craftsman smooths out irregularities, refines contours, outlines raised areas that will be used to make the chimneys, and carefully prepares the surface for finishing the bodies, using different grains of sandpaper and polishing paste.

This step gives birth to the acoustics of the instruments by drilling the bore through the centre of the wood sections. Each model offers a unique sound and its own signature. Buffet Crampon is recognized for its very specific bores.

When the craftsman places the posts and pillars on the instrument, his gesture is very precise because these pieces are essential to ensure the smooth and precise operation of the keys. They are first screwed in by hand and then precisely adjusted by numerically controlled machines.

A key is composed of several parts. The keymaker files the surfaces, angles, and edges, then carefully and precisely brushes the parts. He then checks the surface condition of each key element. He works with different types of metals. The preparation he gives to these materials is crucial to obtaining a brilliantly shining key, whether it is silver, nickel, or gold plated.

Different welding methods are used in our workshops depending on the shape requirements or resistance constraints of the keys: by induction, by flame, or oven soldering with silver.

This is the penultimate stage of manufacturing before the instruments can finally be tested. Finishers are responsible for installing each key onto the body of the instrument, ensuring precise adjustment for smooth movement and optimal sealing of each pad.

At Buffet Crampon, each instrument passes through the expert hands of the tester, whose trained ear and precise fingering guarantee impeccable quality. The tester meticulously analyzes every component, whether it be wood, metal, or bore, ensuring the precision and optimal functioning of the mechanics. He fine-tunes the settings and selects the most suitable bell for each instrument. His workshop resonates with the sounds of arpeggios, glissandos, and solos, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a concert backstage, just before the curtain rises.