The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JIm
Date: 1999-07-23 03:42
I have one, Could anyone give me some info on it? It says "CustomBuilt" on it, is it? or do they all say that. I think it is from the 40's, is that a good guess, or am I off?What do these babys go for? It is a great looking instrument. Thanks in advance for the help, Jim
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Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-07-23 19:19
JIm wrote:
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I have one, Could anyone give me some info on it? It says "CustomBuilt" on it, is it? or do they all say that. I think it is from the 40's, is that a good guess, or am I off?What do these babys go for? It is a great looking instrument.
Jim-
Sorry to say, an Alto Clarinet isn't worth what it is worth!
I looked at the Alto Clarinet completed sales on E-Bay, and found that, with rare exception, they sold for $125 to $225. The cheaper ones were mostly Bundy and Vito, and some of the more expensive ones were LeBlanc and Selmer. Your Pedler's value is probably somewhere between these.
Since they cost a LOT more than this new, I conclude that there is an abundance of Alto Clarinets on the market, and not much of a demand.
Fred
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-07-23 21:38
I'm surprised no one has responded to your questions. I believe Pedler went out of business in the 40's-50's, Mark, please help. I have a very old Ped bass cl, prob. good in its day, but not now. Yours prob. has little value since altos are not at all "popular", but if you could describe it, wood?, extra keys?, general condition?, playability?, you might get a response. Luck, Don
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Author: jim lande@erols.com
Date: 1999-07-24 03:34
I am going to half agree and half disagree with Fred.
I have not watched Alto clarinet prices recently, but
there have been top models going for more than $400 in the past. However, those were considerably newer than your Custombuilt.
A question: metal or wood? I have a Custombuilt alto that is metal. I paid way too much on eBay. The mechanism is a nightmare. I could not get it into adjustment. It rests at the shop, where the tech will get to it when he feels like he can stand it. (4 months and counting) Part of why he does't want to put in the work is he figures it will go out of adjustment fairly quickly.
Dunno about the wood ones. Pedlar had a good reputation, although i don't think CustomBuilt was their top model. I would peg mine at early to mid 1930s.
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