Klarinet Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 1994/09

From: Timothy Tikker <tjt@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: Metal Clarinet
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 12:28:26 -0400

On Tue, 6 Sep 1994, Anne Bullwinkel wrote:

> Okay... I was at a local flea market the other day, when I saw a tin
> "Silvertone" clarinet. It was in relatively good condition, missing only the
> low Ab pad. At a price of $55.00, I thought that maybe it would be worthwhile
> as a collector's item. (And ONLY that, I already have a Buffet Bb)
> Any thoughts on this? Is it worth the money to purchase?

I don't know that brand, so I'd be suspicious. If you want a metal
clarinet as a keepsake, they can be found cheaper than that, e.g.
$20-30. The professional-quality metals I have are much rarer, but were
still cheap: the Cundy-Bettoney E-flat was $120 restored, the B-flat
full-Boehm French Selmer $100 as is. So it's not likely that you can
think of them as collector's items.

There was a notice in a recent Clarinet Journal from a collector of metal
clarinets, in Germany. I don't know that there are many others like him,
though.

A real find and genuine collector's item would be a Haynes silver
clarinet. If you or anyone else finds one available, let me know!