Klarinet Archive - Posting 000515.txt from 1996/12

From: David Mack Endres <endres@-----.COM>
Subj: Conn Pan American
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1996 12:29:57 -0500

Frank,

When I restarted my clarinet endeavors (another adult trying to recoup
from a 20+ yr. break in practicing), I started with a Conn Pan
American. It is made of a epoxy wood composite (I've seen it referred
to as a "plywood" clarinet, most recently last night in Lee Gibson's
book on clarinet acoustics.) It is supposed to have been guaranteed
never to crack. It is a student model (but student quality was perhaps
better then?) and my only complaint with mine is that it seems pitched
a bit high. I have been told that Conn made a number of other
instruments (strings? drums?) with the same material so bands could
"match up". When someone on the list mentions a "rosewood" Conn
clarinet, this is almost certainly the model they have seen.

I've since acquired a pre-R13 Buffet, and find the mechanism much
better on the Buffet. When I asked around the net at that time (1.5
yrs ago) I was strongly urged not to dispose of the Pan American -- it
is apparently something of a collector's item. I keep it now for
playing in more rugged conditions: on the beach, around campfires,
etc.

Mark:
I'm going to have to check the serial number on my instrument, I
didn't think Pan Americans were that old! I thought they were late
'40s or `50s vintage.

Cheers

David Mack Endres--Engineering Specialist--APC-Workstation Systems-/
EMail: dmendres@-----.com - When In Doubt, - Cell: (512)750-3648 /
FAX: (512) 331-3075 - Blame The Reed - Ph:(512)331-3269 /
Post: Schlumberger ASC, POBox 200015 Austin, TX 78720-0015 /
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