Klarinet Archive - Posting 000010.txt from 1994/07

From: Timothy Tikker <tjt@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: metal clarinets
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 1994 13:25:52 -0400

On Fri, 1 Jul 1994, Dr. Ronald P. Monsen wrote:

> Regarding metal clarinets: The Haynes Company of Boston built sterling
> silver bodied "double-walled" clarinets for a time (ca 1930). I have in
> my collection a Selmer (Paris) five piece metal clarinet (mouthpiece
> as well). Which dates from the mid '30s. These were not built as student
> instruments--rather as professional entries. Kohlert made an oboe of metal
> as well. More later.
>
> Ron Monsen
>
That sounds a lot like my metal French Selmer: five piece (counting
mouthpiece, which is not original), full-Boehm system, serial #2676. I
figured that being full-Boehm it couldn't be a student model. The Selmer
Co. told me it was made August 1930, and that it was indeed a
professional model.

I paid $100 for mine as is - I've restored it since. I know that's more
than the usual price for a metal clarinet, but it seemed unusual enough
to be worth it. Besides, a friend had bought a similar metal French Selmer
E-flat (standard Boehm) at the same store and it was very fine. Both have
telescoping barrel joints with a marked gauge for precise tuning,
something I've never seen elsewhere.

Mine plays quite well. A friend said it's every bit as good as his wooden
Mazzeo model French Selmer. My only complaint is that throat G is quite sharp,
and throat E somewhat flat - but I learn to compensate.