Klarinet Archive - Posting 000524.txt from 2004/01

From: "Martim Guerra-Silva" <martimguerrasilva@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Introduction and question about an Amati
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 09:51:26 -0500

Hello dear list!

My name is Martim, living in Sweden, and I started playing the clarinet in
september last year. I've been subscribing to this list since that day. I
haven't been playing for a long period of time, but I'm really enthousiastic
about this wonderful instrument. I've decided to try and learn the
instrument my own way with only the rare help from a teacher helping me to
get the embouchure and tone right, so as not to start any bad habits. Mainly
because I believe in getting to know the instrument instead of just using it
to play a series of notes. By the way, maybe I should say I'm originally a
percussionist, and that's what I consider my main instrument.

Now to the question...
I have a friend that used to play the clarinet when he was younger, and
asked me if I wanted to buy his instrument, or at least if I knew anything
about it. Now this is really bothering me as I can't seem to get any useful
information about it. The only thing I know is that it's an Amati. The only
markings I can find are "Special" and "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA". The bell is
marked with a lion saying something like "Signatone" and again the "MADE IN
CZECHOSLOVAKIA". The mouthpiece is unmarked, and the body is wood as far as
I can tell. As far as the buttons go, they are placed, and look exactly as
my current horn which is a Yamaha YCL-250. The only problem with the horn
that I can tell with my inexperienced eyes is that the low E is almost
impossible to play due to not covering the hole completely and the key
sticks when you press it.

So, do the experienced collectors/players on this list have anything to say
about the horn? Is it worth keeping, what should it be worth, and how old do
you think it might be?

Thanks,
Martim

PS. If anyone here has any tips on any good CDs with
jazz/greek/balkan/klezmer clarinets, feel free to mail me.

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