Klarinet Archive - Posting 000218.txt from 1998/09

From: mpiede@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Leon Trotte clarinet
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 00:54:26 -0400

I have an old wooden Leon Trotte (Paris) clarinet I am restoring. The clarinet is a Boehm
system. It seems to be original with the exception of an unmarked ebonite barrel.

I have a few questions.

1. why the ebonite barrel
a. the original cracked ?
b. maybe it was a high pitch instrument and someone wanted to bring it in tune?
(the barrel is a 66mm)
c. other possibilities ? (was it the original barrel ????)

2. what level clarinet was the Leon trotte.
It seems to play well, with good tone and intonation even with a very
old (and well repaired) crack in the upper joint.
The sound not is not as dark as my Strasser's.
(I am still not sure which tone I prefer)
even as a work in progress though the intonation and tone is noticeably
superior to my daughter's wooden Bundy using her B45 mouthpiece
on both clarinets.

3. I am having some trouble seating the larger pads.
It seems as if the keywork was set up for thinner pads.

4. There is still a bit of work involved with getting the keywork,springs and pads right.
Is this instrument worth the time and effort I am giving it.

Thanks
Mike

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