Klarinet Archive - Posting 000014.txt from 1995/06

From: Brenda Williams <Brenda.Williams@-----.AU>
Subj: Re: Boxwood Clarinets
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 1995 04:26:08 -0400

>I am on my way to Europe on business (again) and I like to look for
>unusual clarinets while I travel. I have found 2 shops that sell antique
>or unique instruments but their prices seem quite high. Does anyone have
>a feel for what a boxwood clarinet is worth? The ones at these shops all
>need to be rebuilt, range from 5 to 9 keys and are in all pitches. They
>range in price from $1000 to $2500. The museum in Edinburgh says that
>boxwood clarinets should be about $300. The other clarinets in these shops
>also are very pricey.
>Thanks for any inputs you have.
>

In 1971 I paid $265(U.S.) for a 6 key Gerock Boxwood Clarinet with ivory
rings (and the wrong mouthpiece) from Tony Bingham's shop in London.
According to the rate of inflation, this instrument would be at least $1,000
today.

A replica (with joints to put the instrument in A and Bb) from Daniel
Bangham in the UK costs about $2,000-$2,500 (U.S.). And if you wish to
actually perform on the instrument it might be a better solution than an
original instrument. These instruments are currently being used by many of
the musicians in the Early Music movement in London.

Regards,

Floyd Williams
Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Brisbane, AUSTRALIA