 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: J Campbell
Date: 1999-09-24 07:02
Anyone,
I have an old instrument that no one seems to have heard of. Could you
help?
I recently found this instrument in an antique shop. I'm not a clarinet
player, but I can recognize a good piece of wood and a solid mechanism.
The price was right so I purchased it. The question now is this: Do I
have an interesting curiosity that will make a nice desk lamp, or do I
have an instrument that is worth reconditioning? Moreover, who built
this thing?
The bell has the stamp "Benetone." The bottom joint has at top back, the
serial # 4226* W (where the * can't be read), and W. GERMANY at the
bottom back. No markings are evident on the top joint, though the
consistency in finish makes it easy to accept that the pair are well
matched. Complete assembled length, including mouth piece, is 26 1/2 in.
The keys are a nickel-brass and nickel plated. The plating has worn
through where the fingers rest; but otherwise, the mechanism is very
solid with good spring action and smooth precise movement.
The pads, where present, look they have not seen action in 20 years or
more.
The wood is darn near perfect. No cracks, warping, or obvious
dimensional distortion. The tone holes and chimneys look good. The only
flaw is a cosmetic nick in the lower joint's tennon. The tennon cork is
well greased and looks good, but has shrunk some and there is a slight
wobble in the fit between the bell, and the two joints. The barrel fits
perfectly and so does the mouthpiece.
The mouthpiece is labeled Vandoren Paris 2RV. I found a Web page for
Vandoren, but could not find a model 2RV. Perhaps this number could give
an estimate to when this instrument was last played?
What do you think? Any feedback will be most appreciated.
Joe Campbell
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Author: tinminer
Date: 2003-03-18 09:00
Long time no reply, but I've also just acquired one off ebay ($30, with 2 mpcs!) so I'll have a quick research and let you know any findings.
A lot of woodwingd instruments were made in Europe (I'm from the UK) for the American market, with 'Americanised' names, often as clones of good models because they used the same parts, it'll be interesting to see what sort of quality it is.
Regards, Alan.
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Author: Dan1937
Date: 2003-03-18 12:27
I've had a few of these in my program a few years back. Nothing to distinguish these horns. They make good lamps.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-03-18 16:24
It is likely a "stencil" horn sold as an introductory level wood instrument. If it is a "stencil" then the odds are against finding out who made it. Therefore the only way to tell if it is any good is to play it (if in playing condition) or play one like it.
The fact that it is wood doesn't tell you much. The absolute worst horn I ever played was a Pan American clarinet made of wood. It had serious intonation problems.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-03-18 17:21
Save the mouthpiece. I still carry one of those in my case as a spare in preference to many others available. It was sold to me by Earl Handlon of the Minneapolis Symphony in 1948 when I started studying with him. Good luck!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-03-18 20:48
A detective might make something of the fact that this instrument had a 2RV mouthpiece with it. Seems as if someone liked it well enough to play a decent MP, anyway.
Other than that, who knows. To hear what it sounds like, plug a few appropriate pad holes (or cover with tape that won't leave residue when removed) and try noodling a bit with the finger holes (no, it won't play every note, but you may be able to get some idea as to whether it's worth re-padding).
Regards,
John
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