 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cady
Date: 2009-11-14 18:03
I just inherited my grandfather's Conn Wood Clarinet. I am having some trouble reading the serial number and finding out the year it was made. A recent invoice lists the serial number as 4NB2814902. When I look at the number it looks like it ends in an L rather than a 2, so it might be 4NB281490L.
Does anyone have any idea what year this might have been made, or where I could get that kind of information?
Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-11-14 20:43
I think the 4N is the model, the B is Bb, then followed by the serial number 281490 and the final L means it's low pitch (A=440Hz) - as opposed to high pitch which would end with an H (A=452Hz).
According to the following list the serial number 281490 dates it to 1937:
http://www.conn-selmer.com/content/resources/serialno.php#reed1926
(sorry - you'll have to copy&paste it as I can't make it clickable)
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-11-14 20:51)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-11-15 15:58
In addition to Chris' suggested site, you might try "The Conn Loyalist" site, without my quotes, tho. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Cady
Date: 2009-11-17 13:43
I am fairly certain that the fingerings match the Boehm system clarinet. but the serial number information provides for a model 4N which indicates Albert system. An Albert system would make sense for my grandfather as he played a lot of big band and jazz music, and played professionally. I may just not know enough to be able to tell the difference. I will post a picture. Thank you to everyone for your help so far.
Post Edited (2009-11-17 13:57)
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Author: Cady
Date: 2009-11-18 04:52
Attachment: 004.JPG (1472k)
Attachment: 005.JPG (1485k)
Attachment: 007.JPG (1723k)
Attachment: 009.JPG (1578k)
Attachment: 008.JPG (1061k)
I took a closer look at the clarinet tonight and it looks like 2 digits were left out at the beginning of the serial number on the invoice I looked at earlier, and I didn't notice them when I was looking over the clarinet. I can't tell completely what the number is but it appears to be 4 something 4N. I think it's a 2 or 3. This is definitely a Boehm system clarinet. The two websites Don and Chris led me to seem to indicate a 1937 Plain Boehm System 17 keys 6 rings Grenadilla Wood Clarinet in Bb made by Conn in Elkhart. Thanks to everyone for your help! I've attached pictures if anyone wants to look. Thanks, again!
Cady
Post Edited (2009-11-18 04:57)
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