The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: P.K.M.
Date: 1999-11-25 16:07
Were Carl Fisher clarinets of good quality? I've had someone offer me one that they claim to be about 100 years old, allthough I doubt that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 1999-11-25 18:34
Carl Fisher did not make clarinets. They were made by other companies and stenciled with the Carl Fisher name. Early on, Carl Fisher did not allow their suppliers to put the manufacturer's name on it but in later years they did. (For example, I have G. Pruefer, distributed by Carl Fisher).
In general, Carl Fisher dealt with pretty good companies but it is difficult to say who would have made this instrument. At one time, they were an importer of Buffet instruments. So some Carl Fisher horns were Buffets (but who would know what model). There is an article on this bulletin board describing the Buffet keywork.
Could it be 100 years old? Yes it could. Carl Fisher has been in business for a very long time.
Is there any inscription other than Carl Fisher on it? Is there a serial number on it? Is it Boehm or Albert or something else? What is the case like? Is it marked HP or LP (high pitch or low pitch) or is it unmarked? If not marked is it known which pitch it was built to. Low Pitch is our current pitch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: P.K.M.
Date: 1999-11-25 22:50
I Emailed the seller to inquire about the pitch. They said it came with a V-2 Rico reed that they found in the case. It's been played recently wich makes me think it is probably low pitch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jim lande@ erols.com
Date: 1999-11-28 04:51
Beware
I have a pair of Buffet clarinets made in the 1930s -- full boehm, georgous wood, and they play like a dream -- every bit as good as my R13. Except that they are high pitch.
Get the overall length and also the distance between the centers of the highest and lowest of the six open holes. Then we can measure a known low pitch and see. If the horn is low pitch, then it might be a Buffet and might be worth around $300 (based on current eBay prices) although it may cost you an additional $80 to $175 to get it restored. If it is low pitch and a studen model, well, it won't be worth a great deal but you might have fun with it. If it is high pitch, then it is worth postage.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|