 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2025-07-25 23:20
Attachment: 20190719_120149.jpg (271k)
On and off, I've been interested in pre-1963 Uebels. I tend to be susceptible to urban (clarinet) myths, and the assertion that serial #s below 17,900 were the "good ones" seized my mind. I got myself two of them in rapid succession plus I'd already had a GDR model 621 from before. One of the pre-1963's was serial #10610 and the other clarinet had two different serial #s: the top joint was #9036 and the bottom joint was #9035 (see photo). As if that wasn't sufficiently bizarre, it's also shorter. I queried this board which one might be best to have restored, and I chose #10610. The other was put in a box in a closet.
This week I took that freak F.A. Uebel out, wrapped some painter's tape around the tenons so it wouldn't fall apart, and tested it -- expecting an unpleasant, out-of-tune noise. I think a glass or two of wine was partly to blame for this experiment, but so also was my growing frustration with the #10610. As time passed, I ascertained that the GDR model 621 sounded and responded much better. This is the era of Uebel (almost) everyone believes is relative garbage.
It not only played but sounded gorgeous. I had to stop and take this in. The only imperfection (other than tasting horrible) was a sluggish E/B that improved with use. I started overthinking and going OCD immediately. I compared the lower joint of this Frankenstein to the lower joint of the model 621. Same size. But the upper joint was longer than the model 621. I measured and took photos of all three instruments (plus my old Czechoslovakian Oehler) then just got completely confused.
Long clarion B (no idea what "number" that note is) tunes spot on at 440. I now treasure this clarinet that I had once thought was bound for auction starting at $25. It (also) sounds better than #10610. Too short, mismatched serial numbers, and all.
She still sings! Overhaul in August!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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