The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-20 15:40
We are new to clarinets. My son was able to pick one up, that has "Old Kraftsman" etched in it, at a garage sale. He is now starting to take lessons. I can find no one who knows this make or model and maker. We are needing to know if we should bother with future repairs as they are needed. It is wooden and in playable condition. We only needed to replace the corks. Can someone help with any info?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-20 16:26
I have seen an Old Cr. some time back, have no real knowledge of maker or country, but believe it might be French made, prob. one of many copies of the Buffet as by Martin Freres [Brothers], Thibouville-Cabart, etc who imported wood cl's into the US in the 40-70's as intermediate quality=priced horns. If not cracked, it prob. is worthwhile to invest some $100, but ask a local, knowledgable repairer and/or clarinetist for an opinion. {Mark, does Langwill list horn-names under the makers?} Don
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-21 16:06
Thank you Don,
I was also reading your reply to Clarke about the student clarinet they have. You are very helpful. Can you tell me what the "Langwill" info is? Is it something I can research?
Diana
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-09-21 16:32
An explanation of The New Langwill Index is at <a href=http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=27536>http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?id=27536</a>. I have a copy, and will try to remember to see if it's in there. Somehow I doubt it'll have much if anything at all.
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-21 16:42
Thanks Mark,
I will look at the library for the NLI. I have also found a number on the upper section of the clarinet. 3000. The barrel, lower section and bell all have the emblem of a craftsman with the words "Old Kraftsman" under it. The metal looks to be nickle over brass, which, to my lay mind, means lesser quality. The addition of a Goldentone #3 mouthpiece might be a hint too?
Diana
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-09-21 16:46
Nickel is normally plated over copper, which is plated on the base metal - so you might be looking at the copper layer.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-09-21 16:51
The Goldentone #3 was a very popular Selmer mouthpiece that clarinettists purchased to go on a wide variety of clarinets. It gives no clue as to the maker or age of the clarinet itself. By the way it is a very common practice for clarinet players to replace the mouthpieces that come with the clarinets.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-21 17:55
Didn't this turn into a very interesting Thread!! Thanks, Diana, many of us enjoy helping, and learning in the process. Yes, the GT 3 mp is a common Selmer [or Brilhart?] inexpensive one and gives no hint of maker. I'll ask some of my knowledgable cl f[r]iends [small joke] at comm. band tonite about Old Cr. Otherwise its "e Pluribus Unum" [one from many] little-known French makers, IMHO. Don
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-21 19:16
Glad you all find it as interesting to help as I find it to get answers. Thanks for asking around. Why are you guessing French? I would have thought that the "K" in Kraftsman would point toward a German craftsmanship.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-21 19:24
Point well taken, certainly many Boehm clarinets are/were made in Germany [hopefully by some of my ancestry!!]. I believe I have seen some of the student model Buffets say "Made in Ger.", and I just dont know of Oehler system cl's being made in France. Small world any more! Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-09-21 22:08
It could also be American made for that matter unless it says otherwise on the horn itself. Lots of company choose "different" spellings for product names just to be distinctive or impressive. So spelling isn't a reliable clue to country of origin.
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-22 03:36
It is actually called "Old Kraftsman". I appreciate your looking it up, Mark. Did you try under "O" for old?
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Author: dneff
Date: 2000-09-22 12:17
Sooo, that means its either nuthin' or its sumthin'. :O)
Thanks for saving me the trip to the library. I will find a music shop around town to have it assessed. Will let you know if I find anything out.
Have the best day ever!
Diana
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