 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Todd Wees
Date: 2001-05-23 19:23
Ken--
Great thread header!
It could, of course, be a scam, but it could also be legit. Isn't it true that when they were new, Kaspars were not the hard-to-obtain, close-to-cult mouthpieces that they are today and might easily have been used to upgrade the sound/response/intonation on an "average" clarinet--just as is often frequently recommended here with Smith's, Bay's, etc. And if the horn has been lying in some closet for years . . . it could happen. It's happened at least once before early this year, or late last year. When I saw that eBay listing, I e-mailed the seller. She seemed genuinely (and pleasantly) amazed that she had such a treasure, and relisted the mouthpiece separately.
Still, as I think you've implied and as I've been reminded with a recent eBay transaction, caveat emptor is a good working philosophy.
Todd W.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-23 22:41
Todd -
Kaspars were readily available when the two men were alive. They were the most expensive mouthpieces on the market. I paid $25 for my Ann Arbor Kaspar about 30 years ago, and I still play it from time to time. Kaspars certainly are cult items these days, bringing, IMHO, a lot more than they're worth. They were extremely well respected 30 years ago, too. Everybody who was anybody played either a Kaspar or a Chedeville.
Right now, I play one of Kalmen Opperman's mouthpieces, which I think plays noticeably better than my Kaspar. The Kaspar isn't for sale, though.
Mark -
Kalmen Opperman told me he thought the Ann Arbor Kaspars were just as good as the Chicago/Cicero Kaspers. Certainly mine plays beautifully, with a warm, cushioned sound, though it lacks a little in focus and power, probably because it's had a lot of use.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-23 22:47
Anybody that wants to "Donate" a Peate's of Utica horn to the UpState New York Vowels for Bosnia campaign could send me one!
These were Selmer and Buffet stencils.
I called the guy, and he has no clue about instruments.
The Ann Arbors are collector's items, not necessarily great players.
I would love to have one of these, cheap of course.
anji
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-24 13:36
I prefer the Cicero Kaspars to the Ann Arbors or the Chicagos. But, if this is a legit deal, it might be worth the money just for the mouthpiece. I think I'll skip it.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-24 19:13
Anji -
The instrument is definitely not a Buffet stencil. The trill key guide is the wrong shape, and there's a triangular assembly guard on the lower joint side of the bridge mechanism, which Buffet has never used. Selmer used that shape, but it doesn't look like a Selmer either. The left hand index finger ring on the closeup is very crude looking, as well as badly worn. I wouldn't count on the instrument being good for anything but a lamp.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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