Klarinet Archive - Posting 000578.txt from 2005/06

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] value of an old clarinet
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 13:05:32 -0400

In a message dated 6/28/2005 11:28:06 AM Central Daylight Time,
el2@-----.edu writes:
I'm sure that I disappointed her when I told her my opinion that any
value in this clarinet would likely come from a collector rather than
from someone who would want to play such an instrument today. However,
it did seem to me that with a proper barrel and mouthpiece, it would be
considerably better than many if not most of the clarinets made today
that are considered student-line instruments. What value would you place on
such an item?>>

Ed, I get this question all the time on "vintage" clarinets. You gave her
exactly the right answer. On the "eBay market" her clarinet would sell for $100
to $200. The right collector might pay more, but you have to find that
collector.

One of the problems with clarinets that are this old is the amount of work
that has to go into them to bring them up to playing standard. Probably every
key post is loose. It's not hard to fix that, it's just very time consuming.
I'm sure every spring needs replacing, then all tenon corks, key corks, and of
course the pads. So the overhaul costs soar.

Also, often the metal that the keys are made from is too soft (by today's
standards) and it becomes very hard to keep the instrument in adjustment. So
giving it to a student is probably counterproductive.

Walter Grabner
_www.clarinetXpress.com/newway.html_
(http://www.clarinetXpress.com/newway.html)
A NEW way to buy clarinets...

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