Klarinet Archive - Posting 000001.txt from 2007/02

From: "Ted Casher" <tedcasher@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] re Preufer clarinets
Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:36:55 -0500

To hns692---tried to send email, but got it returned. This may be of
interest to other listers!

Ted Casher here---from Mansfield, MA, 20 miles away from Providence, RI,
where the Pruefer factory was located.

I started playing clarinet as a kid in the 50s. Back then, Pruefer made
many student model clarinets out of ebonite. The material was a good grade
of ebonite, and the keyworks were sturdy. They also had a good scale. Many
big-band sax players, who carried a clarinet around as an incidental double,
kept an ebonite Pruefer in their traypack cases--the instrument was known
for "takes a licking, but keeps on ticking!"

The wooden Pruefer that you describe was either an almost-handmade stepup
horn, or a nearly-custom one for an active concert band member. They would
do that for people.

However, as time went on, the competition from the major makers became too
stiff, and the factory went into the manufacture of jewelry findings.
Preufer went the way of Cundy-Bettoney, Penzel-Mueller, etc.

I remember, while they were in the process of converting, they would still
make custom barrels for a player. They also distributed the Sumner
Acousticut mpces and ligatures. The Sumner Acousticut ligature was the best
one in its time. Still is---wish I had one!

The factory was located at Union Ave, in Providence. The building still
stands---the name is painted thereon. Don't know what is going on there
now. We just buried a 93-year old clarinet maker who worked there----his
name escapes me right now---but I was the clarinetist who played If Thou Be
Near, Closer Walk With Thee, and Saints at his memorial service.

As soon as drummer Vinnie Rossi gets back from wintering in FL, I will send
you some more info as I get it. Your clarinet sounds like a good horn.
Enjoy!

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