Klarinet Archive - Posting 000111.txt from 2011/06

From: "Lelia Loban" <lelialoban@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Information on Martin Freres clarinet
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:21:00 -0400


Tom Bassett wrote,
>I have a friend who has a wooden Martin Freres
> Lamonte Paris clarinet (thats the stamp etched
>into the top joint) She thinks its from the 1960's
>but I don't really know if she bought it new or
>used (she got it in the 60's). Could someone tell
>me any information on this type of clarinet? I've
>never heard of this kind before.

Martin Fr=E8res clarinets turn up often in junktiques stores and flea marke=
ts. =

They generally cost around $50 and almost always less than $100 (except whe=
n =

the dealer is nuts ... oops, I mean optimistic). I have a 1957 Martin =

Fr=E8res woodwind catalogue avertising that the clarinets were made "near =

Paris, France." All of the soprano clarinets have 17 keys and 6 rings. Al=
l =

are advertised for student use except the "Philharmonic." All of the price=
s =

include "cases and accessories." (The catalogue doesn't specify the nature =

of the accessories.)

The two types of La Monte clarinet (available only in Bb) were the cheapest =

clarinets in that catalogue. A Grenatex "simulated wood finish" instrument =

cost $119.50. The La Monte in grenadilla wood was $125.00. Both had =

drop-forged, nickel-plated, nickel silver keys. Bear in mind that most =

instrument manufacturers demoted the names of old models over the years =

while selling "new and improved" models with new names. It's possible that =

La Montes made earlier than 1957 may not have been the company's =

lowest-priced models.

For comparison, in the same 1957 Martin Fr=E8res catalogue, Jean Martin =

clarinets (in Bb only) in Grenatex cost $130. Jean Martin clarinets in =

grenadilla cost $140. Jean Martin clarinets in "deluxe grenadilla" cost =

$150.

The catalogue suggested the Coudet (in Bb only) for advanced players. A =

Coudet clarinet in "Mozambique grenadilla" cost $160. The Coudet =

International Outfit in "finest selected Mozambique grenadilla wood" cost =

$175.

The Bb Deluxe model clarinet in "seasoned and selected Mozambique Grenadill=
a =

wood" cost $199.50 for either Bb or Eb soprano.

The Jean Martin, Deluxe and Coudet models all had drop-forged, =

nickel-plated, nickel silver keys, but the Martin Fr=E8res Concorde Bb =

clarinet in "seasoned and selected Mozambique Grenadilla wood" had rhodium =

plated nickel silver keys. It came with accessories and a more elaborate =

case than the other models, and cost $275.00. The advertisement recommends =

the Concorde for "the gifted young player" and suggests, "Your first-chair =

aspirants deserve to try it."

And finally there's the Martin Fr=E8res "Philharmonic" clarinet in Bb, whic=
h =

the catalogue claims is "used by the professional." (Yeah, ri-i-i-i-ight.) =

The "Philharmonic" cost $300 and came with "seasoned and selected Mozambiqu=
e =

Grenadilla wood," rhodium plated nickel silver keys, accessories and a larg=
e =

attach=E9-style case covered in plastic imitation alligator hide.

This catalogue also offers oboes and alto and bass clarinets, but no =

clarinets in A.

Lelia Loban
http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/Lelia_Loban =

_______________________________________________
Klarinet mailing list
Klarinet@-----.com
To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com