Klarinet Archive - Posting 000530.txt from 2004/01

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Introduction and question about an Amati
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 11:36:20 -0500

Martim Guerra-Silva wrote:
> 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

Were I in your position, I would be very skeptical about that clarinet.
The Czech instruments were generally of inferior quality, though it is
always possible that the instrument you have in mind was an exception.

--
Dan Leeson
leeson0@-----.net

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