Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 2003/02

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Mystery clarinets
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:59:13 -0500

Fred,

These instruments may play "terrible", because you are using a
contemporary mouthpiece. If you have the original mouthpieces, however,
these instruments could be worth a bit.

The "Wurlitzer" instrument appears to be from the family of American
Wurlitzers who emigrated form Saxony. This is probably from the period when
the factories were owned by Franz Rudolph Wurlitzer. He emigrated to
Cincinnati in 1853 and became a major supplier of wind instruments for the
military during the civil war. My interpretation is that he was an
importer. He opened a branch in Chicago in 1865. The business in Cincinnati
closed in 1914. Does the instrument have a mark that says "R. Wurlitzer"
anywhere"

Rampone was a famous maker in Italy and through Marriage became "Rampone-
Cazzini" in 1912. So this instrument is probably made prior to that.

If you can take another picture with the rings towards the camera I can
probably identify the system. For the side it appears to be what is called
a "modified Oehler system".

It is interesting that despite different manufacturers these seem to be
similar key systems. I suspect the smaller is in Eb? Were these instruments
owned previously by the same person?

It would be very interesting know if these have the original mouthpieces.
Being German systems (and bores) a conventional French/American mouthpiece
would not play very well.

CLARK FOBES
reedman@-----.com
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.

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