Klarinet Archive - Posting 000112.txt from 2011/06

From: "Strum, Chuck" <strum@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Information on Martin Freres clarinet
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:24:20 -0400


What? No power steering or power brakes? Or did Martin Freres offer those a=
s optional at extra cost? =

-----Original Message-----
From: Lelia Loban [mailto:lelialoban@-----.net] =

Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 3:21 PM
To: klarinet@-----.com
Subject: [kl] Information on Martin Freres clarinet

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 Par=
is, France." All of the soprano clarinets have 17 keys and 6 rings. All a=
re advertised for student use except the "Philharmonic." All of the prices=
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" instrumen=
t cost $119.50. The La Monte in grenadilla wood was $125.00. Both had dro=
p-forged, nickel-plated, nickel silver keys. Bear in mind that most instru=
ment manufacturers demoted the names of old models over the years while sel=
ling "new and improved" models with new names. It's possible that La Monte=
s made earlier than 1957 may not have been the company's lowest-priced mode=
ls.

For comparison, in the same 1957 Martin Fr=E8res catalogue, Jean Martin cla=
rinets (in Bb only) in Grenatex cost $130. Jean Martin clarinets in grenad=
illa cost $140. Jean Martin clarinets in "deluxe grenadilla" cost $150.

The catalogue suggested the Coudet (in Bb only) for advanced players. A Co=
udet clarinet in "Mozambique grenadilla" cost $160. The Coudet Internation=
al 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-plate=
d, nickel silver keys, but the Martin Fr=E8res Concorde Bb clarinet in "sea=
soned and selected Mozambique Grenadilla wood" had rhodium plated nickel si=
lver keys. It came with accessories and a more elaborate case than the oth=
er models, and cost $275.00. The advertisement recommends the Concorde for=
"the gifted young player" and suggests, "Your first-chair aspirants deserv=
e 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 Mozamb=
ique Grenadilla wood," rhodium plated nickel silver keys, accessories and a=
large attach=E9-style case covered in plastic imitation alligator hide.

This catalogue also offers oboes and alto and bass clarinets, but no clarin=
ets in A.

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

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