Klarinet Archive - Posting 000046.txt from 2000/01

From: Keith <100012.1302@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Jacques Albert clarinet
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2000 15:14:03 -0500

Hi all

I have just finished restoring an antique Albert clarinet, and
as I don't have my reference books here (all in storage in the
UK, except Rendall) I'd be grateful for any information anyone =

has, and a guess at the value for insurance purposes (I'm =

keeping it!). =

The two main joints are stamped =

*
Jacques Albert
A. Bruxelles
*
between two star-like motifs (actually each is a set of 8 radial =

spokes) and is serial #459. Made of cocuswood (very nice) =

with nickel-silver keys; I think the barrel is a replacement; also =

cocus tho a slightly different shade and stamped
S.A. Chappell, between two six-pointed stars.

The bell also has the radial spokes motif with the name =

W.D. Cubitt, Son & Co, 3 Gt Marlboro' St London - presumably
the importer. The bell looks original.

It is basically a thirteen-key type, actually twelve-key plus a key
(between clarion F and E) worked by two rings for the RH index
and ring fingers.

The mouthpiece is wood, also cocus or similar, stamped Jacques
Albert. It looks original. Its tenon takes waxed thread rather than cork.=

Pads are leather and I didn't need to do anything to them. I haven't
finished tweaking/sealing pads etc yet but it plays very nicely, at =

high pitch (almost a semitone sharp to modern pitch).

The only info I have on Jacques Albert is his date "1878" on the
French "chronological list of makers" found through Anne Bell's =

site. He is clearly a younger member of the famous Albert
family, but I don't know whether this is a birth date, Floreat date
or what!

Restoration required was minimal, and consisted of cleaning and
oiling the wood and keys, replacing the tenon corks, and replacing =

one needle spring. (most of the springs are nicely-shaped steel
flat springs).

Thanks for any info

Keith Bowen

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