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"Royal Conservatory Paris" A clarinet -

Author: Scott Kamholz
Date: 1999-05-03 17:42

I recently came across an old A in a shop that needs work
but is offered for a song. The bell reads:

Royal Conservatory Paris
Arthur B. Miller
North American Distributor

"A" is stamped on the bottom joint, and "LP" is stamped on the top joint. The register key curves around to the front of the top section.

Has anyone heard of this make? Is it worth fixing up?

Thanks,

Scott Kamholz
scott@chroma.med.miami.edu

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RE: "Royal Conservatory Paris" A clarine

Author: Mark P.
Date: 1999-05-03 18:44

An A clarinet in low pitch is probably worth fixing up as long as you don't end up spending much more than 400-500 to cover buying the instrument, overhaul, new case.

I bought a Penzel Mueller A clarinet for $80 and spent about 300 on overhaul and new double case. It's not a Selmer or Buffet but for the price of a new plastic clarinet I got a wood A clarinet. You basicly want an instrument that does not need any additional work beyond pads, corks and some springs.

Check it carefully for cracks, gouges, rusted or stripped screws, damaged tone holes and tenons. Check the case for musty smell and bugs, there are some bugs that love eating clarinet pads

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RE: "Royal Conservatory Paris" A clarine

Author: Drew
Date: 1999-05-03 20:29

Scott:

I agree thoroughly with Mark's comments and would like to add my own insight.

If your intent is to fix up the instrument for your own use, it could be a worthwhile project. If you plan to fix it up for resale, it probably will not be worthwhile. There are only a few brand names in the clarinet world that hold their value well enough to justify a restoration investment, and "Royal Conservatory" isn't one of them.

When Scott talked about his "project" instrument, he did not mention checking the condition of the plating. This is the second thing I check, the wood body is the first. If the plating has worn off to a significant degree, you are looking at additional $200 to put things right on top of the $200 for an overhaul.

The wood body should be free of cracks, gouges, chips, etc. Look very carefully for cracks in the upper and lower keyed sections and the tenons. Cracks and other wood damage is expensive and difficult to repair.

As you can probably tell, you can easily put $400-$600 into an instrument that will gross you $250 at auction! Whether or not the instrument is worth a restoration is a factor of instrument condition and your plans. I personally am putting $300 into an instrument that I've owned for over 30 years, but the instrument has alot of sentimental value to me.

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