Klarinet Archive - Posting 000472.txt from 2004/06

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] dating an instrument
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 20:05:08 -0400

At 05:33 PM 6/28/2004 +0000, you wrote:
>Whoa,
>Uh, mine is a 289XXX so it was one of the earlier ones i guess. Should i
>even play this thing?!? Other than the finger slide things on the low
>Bb/C keys sticking a bit this sax is in really good condition. It was
>kept in an attick after my aunt graduated. I'm not sure i wanna mess it
>up lol.
>Any ideas for a good mouthpiece for it? The original has a chip.

C. 1940 is prime for those horns (note if it has a "VIII" stamped on it --
those are an improved model, the best of the best). Is it lacquered brass
or silver plate? If the finish is in at all reasonable shape, do not even
CONSIDER refinishing it. A tech can free up your rollers easily enough. A
full repad is probably warranted, since the pads are likely dried out and
hard. The Conns of that time were probably second ONLY to Selmers, and
maybe not even them. Charlie Parker was partial to your model (when it was
not in the pawn shop.)

A vintage-style mouthpiece is probably desirable. I think Parker used a
Brilhart. Meyers and Otto Links and other large chamber pieces should be
good, too. More modern designs may cause intonation problems.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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