 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2016-12-01 20:16
I'm looking at a couple of different clarinets and one of them is from 1934. I would like to know your opinions on buying "old" clarinets. The wood is not cracked anywhere and the instrument is in excellent condition. My concern is the quality of sound that it produces (I cannot try before buying). Does a wooden instrument's sound quality deteriorate with age? Do instruments wear out? Thank you!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2016-12-01 21:30
I love pre-WWII clarinets, bass clarinets and oboes -- with proper restoration they can sound as good as, or better than, more modern instruments. Certainly the quality of the wood back then (or at least the amount of seasoning it was subjected to prior to machining) was superior to what's been used since.
As for cracks, they are neither fatal nor a big deal. All cracks can be repaired, and newer instruments are more prone to developing new cracks than older horns.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-12-02 01:29
It depends on why you are buying the clarinet.
Older instruments need more maintenance.
I just finished overhauling a 1940s vintage Buffet. The keys were soft. The wood was soft and hard to work with. The bore looked rough. I was happy that no keys broke when I was adjusting them, and it did not play great when I was done I (It played fine - but I would prefer a good intermediate clarinet). This is typical, although there are exceptions.
My apologies to those of you who love your old instruments.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-12-02 01:42
David said, "As for cracks, they are neither fatal nor a big deal. All cracks can be repaired, (...)"
I inherited a Buffet C clarinet. It would probably date back to at least the 1930's - I don't see a serial number. It's somewhat worn and evidently was played a lot. It looks like cracks were pinned in both the top and bottom joints, one each, I think. It needs some corks and pads, a good cleaning and oiling, maybe what David calls a proper restoration.
I've never tried to play this instrument. Some years ago I showed it to my local tech. He thought the upper joint crack might need to be reworked and that while it could be made playable, it would never be as good as it probably once was. I wonder.
What do good restorations cost? I live a ways from any more advanced techs. I also have little pressing need for a C clarinet: there's no orchestra openings around here, and anyway I'd be comfortable transposing most things. But if it were playable I'd practice on it, play some violin or piano music perhaps. Or I might sell it.
In the same shabby old case is a Buffet A clarinet presumably of the same vintage, but I don't see any cracks in it. I have a working Buffet A I use already, so I can't say I need that one.
And since I wouldn't be me if I didn't ramble on, I also inherited an old boxwood clarinet, probably in C, that says Metzler London on the parts. It had 5 keys, but one (I think for the right pinky) is missing. It consists of three main sections, plus barrel, bell, and mpc. The sections look basically intact, but in addition to a replacement key it needs whatever passed for corks back then; in fact the top two joints are frozen together. The mouthpiece needs to be replaced too; it looks like moisture rotted away the lower facing. It would need smaller reeds.
Needless to say, I have vanishingly little need for an instrument like the Metzler. But I'm curious as to what it might cost to restore it, and also what it might be worth to a period instrument player, either as is or fully restored. If I happen to die as owner, it will probably get trashed.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-12-02 02:59
If the wood is in good condition now then it is unlikely to crack.
However if the instrument has not been played for a long time then once you start playing it you should "break it in" gently just as you should a brand new instrument.
That means playing only for short periods each day at first and gradually extending the length over next few weeks until the moisture content of the wood has stabilised.
Old does not necessarily mean good - but on average the older instruments were much better made than most new ones and can play beautifully.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-12-02 06:40
I own several clarinets that go back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. I've restored them to playing condition and while I would not say that all of them are gems, certainly most of them have a higher build quality than many modern instruments. Some of them, such as a Jerome Thibouville Lamy from the late 1800's, a Cabart from the 1930's, a Couesnon Monopole from the 40's (?), a no-name Albert C clarinet from probably the 1920's and a Louis of Chelsea from around 1930 are really outstanding and compare favourably to modern instruments. What you can expect from your C clarinet will depend on the quality of of instrument, but there's no real reason why it couldn't be a good player.
Tony F.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-12-02 08:34
Run away from any instrument you cannot test before buying. A reputable seller will at the very least let you deposit the price in escrow and permit you to cancel the transaction if you don't like the instrument for any reason, or for no reason.
Otherwise you may be stuck with something that's damaged, badly out of tune, or even at high pitch.
I have bought several older Buffets on eBay, with at best middling results. The sole exception is a Bb/A pair from 1908, which was encrusted with crud and which I recognized as unplayed instruments that had sat in a closet for 90 years. And for these, the price was so low that I could afford to take the chance. (They restored to beautiful players.)
Ken Shaw
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