Klarinet Archive - Posting 000492.txt from 1995/01

From: Luuk van Buul <vanbuul@-----.NL>
Subj: Metal clarinet
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 03:31:44 -0500

Dear fellow clarinettists.

I live in The Netherlands where metal clarinets are seldom found. However,
some time ago I bought a second hand one (a Bb clarinet in one piece) in an
obscure little shop. I have some questions about this instrument, which is
rather good. I payed about $300 for it. The few other metal clarinets I've seen
in Holland were unuseable, mainly because of serious intonation problems.
I use mine when playing in open air, because the weather in Holland is not
always very reliable, to put it mildly. (Normally I play a Leblanc LX.)
I think it is about thirty years old. It is equipped with (original?) leather
pads and the metal turns black with age so the body may be silvered.

- How were these instruments used in the USA? Are/were they seen as serious,
good instruments or were they merely used for show bands etc.?

- My instrument has the following marks on it:

On the bell: USA
Grand Rapids
Michigan

On the ring at the top end of the bell:

106465

On the top near the 'barrel' (which really is just a metal pipe, of course):

P9696

On the back side of all keys:

96

The case, which I believe is an original one, has a sticker attached to it
reading 'RUSH'S MUSICAL SERVICES - band instruments - Knoxville, Tenn.'.

Can anyone please give some information about age/history (value?) of this
instrument?

- What is it made of? Which metal? How about the leather pads?

I thank you for all information concerning these metal clarinets in the USA
because I am very curious about it and don't know anything about them.

Luuk van Buul
vanbuul@-----.nl