Klarinet Archive - Posting 000694.txt from 1995/06

From: CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Value of an old pair of clarinets?
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 02:27:15 -0400

These instruments are actually not all that rare. If the instruments
have a serial# I can give you a manufacture date. Albert System or
modified Albert Systems remained popular in this country well into this
century. Carl Fischer Co. was not established in New York until 1923
and was an importer of several brands of woodwind instruments,
including Buffet.

It would be difficult to attach a value to these instruments. There
are a few players who really prize these instruments and are always
looking for examples in good condition. The people I have met through
my business who really want these are the players of European ethnic or
folk music and dixieland players. Someone like that might be
interested, but they usually pick up their instruments for "bargain"
prices and may not want to pay much. I don't think they have that much
value as a collector's item right now, in another 50 years they may be
more valuable.

The LP stood for "low pitch", which you probably know, but I am not
certain that that was A@-----.

An overhaul on these instruments could run from $300 - $500
depending on the condition. Unless you really wnat to play these or you
are desperate for a little cash, I'd just hold on to them as a curio
and not do anything to them.

Clark W Fobes

>
>Several years ago I came into possession of a pair of clarinets. I am
>not sure I want to sell them, but I wonder if anyone has any idea
about
>their possible value. I'm sure they are of interest to no one as
>instruments to play, but some collector might find them interesting.
>
>There is a matched set, A and Bb, Buffet clarinets, *Albert system*,
in a
>double case. The case is original, and in good condition. The bodies
are
>one-piece. There is a repaired crack in one of them, and there are
>small cracks, unrepaired, in both the bells. In addition to the
Buffet
>logo, each bell is stamped, "Carl Fischer, New York," and "LP." I
>presume the latter means "low pitch" or A-440. There is one original
>barrel in the case, and one newer barrel. There is also an original
>mouthpiece and ligature. The mouthpiece also bears the Buffet logo,
and
>is marked "Evettine."
>
>The instruments are not playable due to the condition of the pads and
the
>need for some mechanical adjustments to the keywork, but it would not
be
>too difficult to repair them to good playing condition or to restore
>them. There is some tarnishing of the silver plating of the keys, but
>there is no rust, corrosion or pitting of the keys.
>
>If anyone has any ideas as to whether these have any value, I would
>appreciate it if you would let me know. Thanks very much.
>
>Ed Lacy
>el2@-----.edu
>

   
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