 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-06-12 17:05
Well, I'm going to throw some repair money at an old Airline hard rubber clarinet today.
One of the springs on the lower joint levers was broken, and the cork coming loose on a tenion. They are going over pads, looking for leaks, etc. Just called with total bill for $48. Original cost from flea market was $20. My hope is that for $70 investment, I'll have a playable vintage rubber horn that I won't have to worry about.
The construction of this model has a metal sleeve inside, and the keywork looks to be fairly good quality. Age is anybody's guess. Can't find much info on the web, so if anyone has any experience with one, please post.
I'll try and get some pictures up soon. It's a cool looking instrument, and like a lost puppy, I couldn't let it stay in limbo at the flea market...
Pretty crazy, huh? There are worse vices to have, I guess...
This is a genuine signature.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2012-06-12 20:39
I was told Selmer made (professonal) hard rubber clarinets in the mid-1930s. An Albert-system afficionado I knew (guy bought a clarinet from me) thought they were superb.
Best of luck with yours!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-06-12 20:43
I once had a Martin Bros. with a metal-lined upper joint.
Sold it to a Jazz player. :-)
--
Ben
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-06-12 22:49
I've restored several hard rubber clarinets, mostly Preufer and Penzel-Mueller. They've generally come up OK mechanically, although the intonation is sometimes not all that it could be. Whatever you do, keep it away from warm water. It causes a reaction with the sulphur in the rubber and the instrument will instantly change colour. Don't ask me how I know this. Ever seen a chocolate-brown Preufer?
Tony F.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-06-13 15:21
Airline seems to have been Montgomery Ward's in house name
Bob Draznik
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-06-13 17:31
Got the Airline back last night. It plays now, but not nearly as well as the other 2 clarinets I have... Still, it's a cool relic, and will serve as a living room nick-nack that I can noodle on while relaxing in front of the TV.
I did notice that the Airline brand was picked up by Eastman Guitars. They are making some wild retro-looking electrics from the '60s again. The music store that did my repair work had a poster at the doorway that had the same logo that's on my clarinet. Small world.
The Buffet isn't in danger with this thing, but it's a neat example from another time, for sure...
This is a genuine signature.
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