Klarinet Archive - Posting 000886.txt from 1997/12

From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: Henri DuBois Paris Bb Clarinet - Serial #3416 D
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 23:37:09 -0500

Sorry for the re-post but the previous one didn't come out as I intended.

This Henri Dubois horn was purchased new in the late 1930's or early 40's
at a very modest price - that was all my folks could afford at the time.
As I recall, this was a Buffet "2nd", so classified by Buffet because of a
swirl in the wood grain, which my teacher said was a flaw that might cause
the horn to crack. It did - and was pinned.

As noted in an earlier post, I have been away from the clarinet since the
early 1950's, so my contacts with other clarinetists has been limited.
However, I have never found another DuBois owner in high school, college or
in a short professional career - or since I have returned to amateur
orchestral playing.

It is a good horn, good intonation with only the usual problem areas common
to clarinets of that era. I'm not trying to sell it, as I entend to keep
it when it is replaced by either a Buffet or Leblanc. Just wanted to add
the info that it definitely is not a junker or a student model.

Is there anyone on the list who has ever heard of the DuBois clarinet or
its reported relationship to Buffet ?

Thanks for any information that any of you have that will enlighten me on
this subject.

Gene Nibbelin
gnibbelin@-----.com