Klarinet Archive - Posting 000962.txt from 1997/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Pan Am composite
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 1997 00:52:38 -0400

On Sat, 20 Sep 1997, the Grouch wrote:

> Yes the Pan Am was laminated. I purchased one new as I was entering high
> school, I believe it had just come onto the market. It was laminated like
> plywood, very thin laminations. Color was a light brown, varying among the
> laminations. As I recall, its main claim to fame was that it was not
> supposed to crack and that any joint that cracked would be replaced at no
> charge.

I remember the wood-grain Pan-American, but mine must have pre-dated that,
as it was black. I'll never forget the first time I saw it, on February
12, 1949 at West Side Grade School in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I had been
begging my parents for 2 years to let me join the school band, but the
price of the clarinet, $115 as I recall, was far more expensive than
anything our family had ever bought, and I know that my parents sacrificed
for years to pay for it. When I first saw it, the sensation was something
like seeing the gates of heaven open and hearing angels singing. My eyes
glazed over, and I'm sure I looked dazed. The beautiful black plastic and
the nickel keys, against the red plush interior of the case was about the
most impressive thing I had ever seen.

Several years later, when I was a poor struggling college student (now I
am a poor struggling college professor!) and in need of cash, I sold it to
a friend for $15. He later became a high school band director and gave it
to one of his students in return for raking his leaves, or something like
that. Today, I would give 10 times what I sold it for if I could get it
back.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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