 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don
Date: 2002-05-11 17:04
I know there are more than a few metal clarinet people out there. So here are some questions.
I just acquired a Boston Wonder metal clarinet. I won't be playing Mozart on it soon, but it has a surprisingly nice tone - bright yet with body. It also retains an even sound over the bridge; high and low notes alike remain round.
So now I have to ask: who made this instrument? Was it perhaps manufactured by Conn? I notice that is has P81 stamped in the metal. I know that Conn's stencil saxophones often bear P prefix serial numbers. Maybe their clarinets do too?
Here's a second question: where does this instrument register on the metal clarinet desirability scale? At the time of it was made, was it a cheapie learner model or what? If I wanted to acquire a good quality metal clarinet, what names should I look for?
Finally, my Boston Wonder came with a Perfectone mouthpiece. Who made that?
Thanks!
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-05-11 19:33
I can't be TOO much help . . . but here goes.
As you suspected, metal clarinets by Conn tend to be above average and command higher prices than run-of-the-mill models. Silva Bets by Bettonay (sp?) are quite desirable as are Silver Kings by H. N. White. One of the most desirable metal clarinets is a 4-piece Selmer (plus mp equals 5). Then there is the solid silver Haynes that gets bought more for collector value than anything else.
A step below the above is Noblet - though I understand some of them are really pretty decent. Then there is every conceivable brand name metal clarinet.
I know I'vwe left out some upper level - less commonly found metal clarinets that were pretty good - but I can't remember for sure who made what.
Hope that helped.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-05-11 23:21
Yes, I have a full Boehm Silva Bet fine metal clarinet that seems to have better tuning than my Buffet R13. On the other hand, I have a Silva Bet regular metal clarinet with all axles rusted tight which will be eventually be sold on ebay as a wallhanger. Good Luck.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-12 14:31
The use of "Boston" would suggest Cundy-Bettoney to me, yes, the Silva-Bet's are among the best, I have a cheaper 3 Star, fair, but not as good as a wood Pruefer or Pedler of same vintage. Don B
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-12 18:42
Another thing which might further [strongly] suggest Bet would be ?does it have an adjustable-tuning barrel? as is shown in Harry's patent US 1,705,xxx [when I find my copy I'll report it if anyone is interested]. Don
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Author: Don
Date: 2002-05-16 16:51
Thanks, Wes, Fred, and Don B. for your comments. I appreciate them.
Don, the clarinet does not have an adjustable barrel. It has a separate coupler that allows the smaller-diameter bore to accept a larger-diameter mouthpiece. Slide the coupler onto the clarinet, then slide the mouthpiece into the coupler. Pretty basic.
I'm not surprised how little information seems available on metal clarinets. They were probably never a choice of serious artists. Guess I felt drawn to this one for reasons of nostalgia. My first clarinet was a metal loaner provided by a school district. That was in the mid-1950's. I haven't played one since then, so it's been fun.
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Author: David Loyd
Date: 2002-05-19 22:05
I am your typical neanderthal sax player who has latent clarinet aspirations. I found a nickel/silver plated one-peice clarinet at an antique shop and paid $200 to get it refurbished. I would just like some background on this unique instrument. It has an estching on the bell saying "Cavalier" and "Elkhart, Ind." The serial number is 65868. I was told that it was made sometime in the 40's during the Nazi occupation of blackwood producing countries. This makes for an interesting story, but I have no idea if it's true. What's the real story and did I pay too much to get this thing in playing shape?
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