The Bufffet R13 ia a well respected clarinet.
In 1969 my folks purchased a Buffet clarinet in Paris. The identifying marks are stamped "DC20" and a stamped serial number F102843. I have uncovered that the "F" signifies a European model, and the serial number equates to 1968 production.

My questions are
1) Is this DC20 identical to the model exported to the US, marketed here as an R13?

2) How does an older clarinet like this compare sound-wise to newer Buffets?

Your help is appreciated.

i own a 1963 Buffet R13. Im not sure if a DC20 is an R13 or not. But to answer ur comparison question, i believe that the older ones are better becuase the wood has had a long time to age and the sound is darker and clearer. A lot of brand new buffets tend to have a pretty bright sound for the first few years, simply becuase the wood is new. But thats just my opinion

From what I hear, older models of clarinet, such as the "dc20" do sound better because they have older wood. Apparently, the original Buffet R13 have a different tone because they were meant for swing and older music.