Klarinet Archive - Posting 000084.txt from 1998/11

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Couesnon
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 10:49:59 -0500

Warning! Shaky memory and conjecture follow.

I have never heard of any official relationship between Buffet and Couesnon
though I suppose it's possible Buffet may have done some stencil work for them.
However, if the factory where Couesnon made clarinets was in the same woodwind
instrument "region" outside Paris where Buffet is located (and it probably was),
they certainly may have shared workers as many workers in the instrument
factories moonlighted (even working in their homes). This may have led to some
unofficial sharing of designs. In any case, unlike the register tube on newer
Selmers I have seen, the Buffet register looks pretty standard to me (at least
externally). I'd guess Abe's system would work in an old Malerne I have at
home. (If I remember, I'll take some measurements when I'm home tonight.) BTW,
you can find a few posts about Couesnon (note the spelling) in the Sneezy
archives.

My guess is, despite the fit, the bell on your Eb was not the original.

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

CEField@-----.com wrote:

> I recently sold a vintage Buffet E-flat soprano clarinet that had what
> appeared to be the original bell. But the bell was marked "Cousenon," not
> Buffet.
>
> Given the fact that Abe Galper's register tube/key apparently works on
> Cousenon Bb clarinets, was there a "relationship" of some kind between Buffet
> and Cousenon at one time? Abe's system was, after all, designed for a Buffet
> clarinet. But it's exciting to learn that it works on another make.
>
> Does anyone have a "history" on Cousenon?
>
> Cindy

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