 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cfwoman
Date: 1999-02-12 18:54
My husband inherited a Pan American clarinet that included the original purchase receipt and reply card signed by someone with the last name of CONN. We know that this clarinet was purchased in the midwest early in this century. Was there ever a person named "Conn"? This is a silver clarinet with original case. Also, we've tried to play it compared to another instrument and it doesn't sound the same. Would this instrument have any value OTHER than a lamp? Thank you.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-02-12 21:23
Conn (now owned by UMI) was an independent company at the time. Col. C. G. Conn started the company around the turn of the century. In the early days, Conn made some of the finest instruments available. The vintage saxophones, cornets, trumpets and low brasses are especially sought-after today. Conn clarinets never achieved that level of popularity, however. Pan American began as an independent company making a variety of grades of instrument. Conn bought out Pan American and used that name for a line of student-quality instruments. Today, old Pan Americans aren't sought after or valuable, but the early ones are better than the later ones.
If this is a very early Pan American, marketed by Conn but not yet manufactured by Conn (made before Conn bought out the company), it could be better than student quality. Conn was not only a manufacturer but also a retail store that sold instruments made by many different companies. Try to figure out from the card whether that's a manufacturer's card or a store's card. When you say the clarinet is silver, do you mean silver-colored metal, or silver plated? Or something else?
Why doesn't it sound the same as modern clarinets? Is the pitch different? It may not be a Bb clarinet (it could be a clarinet in A, C or Eb), or it may be a High Pitch clarinet (look for an H on a line by itself near the serial number). Low Pitch is a=440 Hz, modern pitch. High Pitch in the USA is usually a=456 Hz, too high to play in tune with modern instruments.
I hope a family clarinet won't end up as a lamp. That's sad, even if it isn't a valuable instrument. If you and your husband aren't interested in it, why not just put it away? Metal clarinets don't take up a lot of space. Maybe someone in the younger generation will take an interest and be very grateful you saved it.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-13 03:45
I agree with Lelia on not making it into a lamp. No matter how bad it plays, it doesn't deserve that fate. Clean it up and hang it on the wall for decoration if nothing else.
Actually, some people these days want to have one of the old metal clarinets just for the fun of it.
For playing purposes (assuming modern pitcht), it most likely would need an overhaul and this might improve its sound.
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Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-02-13 03:59
cfwoman wrote:
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My husband inherited a Pan American clarinet that included the original purchase receipt and reply card signed by someone with the last name of CONN.
CF-
Lelia's comments were great! I think she covered it very well.
As a point of interest, there was an E-Bay auction for one of these that ended recently. The final bid was $182.50. Check http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=58193567. There is a fairly good picture posted.
Fred
<a href=http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm>MMB</a>
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Author: cfwoman
Date: 1999-02-15 20:09
Thank you for the information. I'm sorry for the confusion about the "lamp" statement. We wanted to have the instrument refinished and took it to one music store and they recommended NOT spending the money, that no one plays this instrument and people make lamps out of them! My husband plays sax in a local band and was interested in expanding his 'abilities'. I have a '60s Bundy Clarinet from high school and when played side-by-side it seems that they were in two different keys, (or, that the Pan American was out of key..) I'll have to check. Again, thank you for the information!
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Author: cfwoman
Date: 1999-02-15 20:19
Fred,
I looked at the ebay site. The clarinets appear to be the same, but the case is definately different. Our clarinet breaks down and is in a smaller case (which isn't in very good shape) the clarinet itself is very clean and none of the keys are bent/sticking, and is playable.
Thanks
Chris (cfwoman)
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Author: cfwoman
Date: 1999-02-16 13:56
Lelia,
The card in the case has the model and serial # with a "sold by" C.G. Conn (signature) March 27, 1931. It is a orange card with the return address to Pan American. The instrument is silver colored and only breaks in two places to put in the case. If I could find someone to "recork" and possibly look at the pads, it might play in Bb? I'm surprised that the silver instruments didn't have wider use, they are very pretty.
Thanks
Chris
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Author: Plácido
Date: 1999-02-21 17:42
Dear cf!
Please don't make a lamp out it!! Please!! If you really wanna get rid of it, email to me, I know a guy who has a collection of old and interesting instruments. I can contact with him for you if you want.
But if the worst comes, I'll try to save up and buy it from you.
Pláci
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Author: cfwoman
Date: 1999-02-22 14:12
I'm interested in
1)it's playing viability - I have a Bundy at home as well and, as I am not a musician, I can't tell if the Pan American is something that my children can play one day or if I should keep the Bundy, or both?
2)it's value - if it is an instrument that would be valuable enough (for example) to add a rider on my insurance policy.
We (my husband and I) have taken it to two different music shops to have it looked at. One shop said it had no value and suggested the 'lamp' idea. The other shop said the instrument would be worth between $2000-3000. I thought that the two opinions were too different regarding this particular instrument. I would welcome any suggestions for stores/people to take it to for a real estimation of its playing potential and value.
Thanks.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-22 15:57
cfwoman wrote:
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<snip>
The other shop said the instrument would be worth between $2000-3000.
<snip>
Tell them they can have it for $1500, and buy an excellent used clarinet with the money!
The Pan-American was a pretty common clarinet judging from how often it appears at flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops. They made a laminated clarinet that's beautiful to look at - but I hear it fell apart most of the time (there's one on display at Interlochen). They don't seem to sell for high prices.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-22 23:49
I support Mark's opinion on that. The Pan Am/Conns were student grade. You can buy a brand spanking new professional grade clarinet for $2000 if you go through the mail order houses. New student plastics are under $400 while new, intermediate woods are under $1000.
The laminated ones are starting to have some collectible value as they are rare since most fell apart. I saw one go on eBay for over $300. However the normal ones go for under $100.
However if the horn is in good shape and can be made playable don't junk it or turn it into a lamp. Just because it has little monetary value doesn't mean it is worthless. Fix it and keep it as a backup, donate it to a school, or give it to a charity who could pass it on to some kid who would like to learn but can't afford it. That horn could bring a lot of music and happiness to someone.
Clarinets in general are quite sturdy and last a long time if given decent care. There are many 40, 50, 60, and even 70 year old instruments happily making music. My main clarinet is over 40 years old.
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