 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2020-01-07 00:56
I picked up the pictured clarinet for just a few pounds on the auction site. It was listed as "old broken clarinet " and I thought it looked interesting.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dTFsswDKf1CCWuBw9
I know nothing about it, not even if it's in Bb, as it doesn't play. The barrel is tiny and the mp has a smaller socket than modern models. It's cracked, leaking and in terrible condition but I think it's beautiful
The ligature is stamped "Rushworth xxxxx (unreadable) Liverpool. I believe this was an now closed instrument shop.
Would love to approx date and if it's worth putting any money into restoration?
Post Edited (2020-01-07 00:57)
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2020-01-07 09:29
My company blocks google...any chance you could post a photo here?
Fuzzy
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-01-07 12:56
Attachment: DSCN1132.JPG (786k)
Attachment: DSCN1133.JPG (723k)
Attachment: DSCN1135.JPG (789k)
I've restored several instruments of similar vintage. I suspect that yours is in the key of C and will probably be in high pitch. If you measure the length of the assembled instrument it might be possible to confirm this. If it is as I think then it will not be playable in any modern ensemble. I restored a couple as attractive desk ornaments and one for a friend who plays it in a folk ensemble. They tune to him. Mine were no-name instruments of (I think) German/Austrian origin and dated to sometime in the late 1800's. The attached pics are of the one that is used in the folk ensemble. It has a very sweet tone on the original wood mouthpiece.
Tony F.
Post Edited (2020-01-07 13:01)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2020-01-07 14:02
It really looks lovely. I have a very old clarinet that is not playable in an ensemble because it's not quite in tune but the tone is bewitching and I love it.
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2020-01-07 14:18
Attachment: 20200107_101355.jpg (951k)
It's a bit shorter than my Bb, so I guess you're right that it's in C Tony.
Since it doesn't have any rings, it is likely to be older than the one in your pictures, or perhaps just a cheaper model?!
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2020-01-07 14:49
Hmm ok the plot thickens. I've just coaxed some notes out it, and it does appear to be in Bb, a very sharp Bb! Unless it's in a very flat C???!
This is open G, then E-D-C. I can only get the C out by slurring down to it.
The max hertz my tuner will do is 449. For a Bb instrument at 449 it's playing 20 cents sharp.
https://youtu.be/6tTGEiswnMM
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2020-01-07 17:23
It looks as though you have a high pitch Bb. The same comments as to playing with a modern ensemble apply. Cleaned and polished up it would make a nice conversation piece.
Tony F.
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Author: Dibbs
Date: 2020-01-07 18:08
Plonk, Your instrument is probably considerably older than the one Tony shows. It's similar to this from around 1830
https://collections.ed.ac.uk/mimed/record/17447
though similar instruments were made for many years. Tony's is perhaps 40 or 50 years later.
Post Edited (2020-01-07 18:09)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-01-07 18:14
It's probably built to 452Hz or thereabouts and from around the middle of the 19th Century.
I overhauled a fairly similar C clarinet a long time ago (boxwood with brass keys) - that one had either a lead or pewter mouthpiece cap.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2020-01-07 21:02
Amazing! The seller told me he thought it was about 60 years old, which I doubted but didn't know quite how old it might be.
How exciting!
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2020-01-08 03:31
Great post thanks Tony!
I assume all the pads are leaking but the first other obvious problem I see is that the A key doesn't close unless I push it down hard (on the pad cup itself). The pad is gooey enough to hold for a few seconds but then the spring loses its hold and it opens again. Pliers on the spring ? I'm a bit wary of breaking it!
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