Klarinet Archive - Posting 000935.txt from 1997/04

From: Bill Edinger <wde1@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: LaMonte clarinets
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 10:38:13 -0400

I ran across a LaMonte at an auction last February, but it was made of some
kind of composite material with a trade name (stamped on the body) which I
can't remember at the moment. It was unusual (in my experience) in that
the upper joint (but not the lower) had a metal sleeve all the way through
as the inner surface. I was guessing its age as around 50-60 years, but no
one there knew anything about it. In fact, they advertised it as a Selmer!
There was also a Brilhardt alto sax next to it which I would have bought if
the mildew smell hadn't been the most intense I'd ever experienced. My
hands still smelled of it twenty minutes after I'd put the horn down
(saxophones can be called horns, can't they?). Does anyone know of a way
to de-odorized an old horn like that? I figured the case, although it was
physically in fine shape, was a complete loss due to the smell. Would all
the pads have to be replaced, etc.? Molds can thrive in cork, so I assume
that would be a source of the odor too.

Bill Edinger

______________________
William D. Edinger, Ph.D.
Dept. Food Science & Technology
Cornell University
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456-0462
ph. 315-787-2277
fax 315-787-2284
wde1@-----.edu