 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-09-28 14:07
Hi folks, I have found a very old clarinet in the attic of my grandfathers house after ha passed away. There are no morkings on the clarinet but have taken it into my local instrument shop and the guy said he would estimate it to be pre-1930's but to bring it back in so the instrument repairer, who would know much more on the subject, can have a look and possibly date it more accurately.
I knoe nothing about the instruments but he said the system it uses is very old, possibly 19th century.
It is wooden, although not sure what type of wood and the case it was in is still there, but in a lot of pieces, I will include pictures if I can.
There is the remains of old hemp string in the joints, possibly the original as I know more modern clarinets use cork?
If anyone knows anything from the pictures (Ill try and post some) or can recommend anywhere I could find more information,
Images are ploaded to imageshack as couldnt attach any to the post.
Thanks for any help,
Scott
http://img503.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=dsc06127s.jpg
Post Edited (2009-09-28 14:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: knotty
Date: 2009-09-28 14:12
Before you find out just what it is, don't do anything to it and don't sell it. People have ruined valuable antiques by trying to clean it.
knotty
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-09-28 14:31
Thanks, I was actually going to clean it myself until the guy in the shop said not as this would de-value it in the event it is very old / valuable.
Thanks for your reply though, I have added pictures via the link if you would like to have a look,
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-28 15:30
It's a nice souvenir, but don't expect it to be worth much. The keywork is "simple system" and is missing the basic improvements that simple system players want. Old mouthpieces are sometimes valuable, but the one in the photo has a chunk knocked off at the tip.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-09-29 04:16
Ken is spot on. I'm going to say second half C19. Three reasons; 1. It lacks the patent Csharp key (invented in 1861).and has an extra key on the upper stack....2. It has the "salt spoon" style keys which are rarely found on C20 clarinets 3. it is some blackwood (can you tell what wood it is?) rather than the boxwood or other light-colored woods popular earlier in C19.
Unless it is a copy of an earlier design, then all bets are off. Some german and czech manufacturers made these type of horns in the C20 for performers playing "period" music, but the keywork doesn't look that modern to me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-09-29 13:14
Thanks a lot for your replies, shedding a bit more light on the subject is helpful. I have the number for someone who is in the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra who collects older instruments, anyone with any ideas on approximate price? Not really sure about selling it but would be good to know how much it is worth, even if it isnt a great deal...
Thanks,
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-29 14:53
Even if a buyer is a collector and needs an instrument of that particular design, I doubt that it would bring $100. On eBay, $50 at most, if it sold at all.
Sorry.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-09-29 18:50
Jack,
Im not at home at the moment but will measure and reply tomorrow.
Thanks,
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-09-30 19:24
Jack,
I have measured the clarinet and it is 64cm, or just over 25 inches.
Thanks,
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalakos
Date: 2009-10-01 01:00
We Greek clarinetists play the "Albert/Simple/German" type clarinets. My thoughts on this one:
It has the more archaic right hand little finger direct motion keys. From the look of the long key placement (left little finger key), it may be the older "High Pitch" tuning which makes it close to a B natural key clarinet. This type of clarinet with the older key system and in High Pitch (if indeed it is) is not very desirable at all, and so the last guess of between $50 and $100 is a good guess. If it also needs an "overhaul" with pads etc., (and it probably does), then that makes it even less valuable, because spending a couple of hundred dollars and ending up with a clarinet that is not very desirable and even in perfect condition might not be worth $100 is not a good idea.
You might be able to sell it for around $50.
I sold several similar to it a couple of years ago.
Still, it's a neat old thing, and it would be nice if someone who plays this system would play it and take care of it! :-)
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-10-02 21:17
At a little over 25 inches, it sounds too long for a C clarinet. That might have increased its value a little. As Kalakos says, there really isn't much market for these old clarinets, especially if they are unmarked and in need of repair.
On the other hand, because of their simplicity, if they don't have any serious structural problems, they are rather straightforward if you have a little time and would like to try a do-it-yourself repair project. They aren't a bad place to start. I bought an old simple-system C clarinet a few years ago and it fixed up very nicely.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: scoobysnax
Date: 2009-10-03 16:50
Thanks a lot for your help everyone, Im going to meet someone who is interested in these old instruments and see what they say with a closer inspection, I had originally thought about trying a little DIY on it, im quite confident I could get it gleaming and at least able to display it somehow, It would be nice to have it on show. Obviously Ill leave it be until then... just in case!
Thanks again,
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
