 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-07-10 14:59
I was in Whitewater, Wisconsin last weekend viewing the Circus Train which was headed to Milwaukee. I digress, there was a band from outside of Milwaukee playing. A lady in the band was playing a metal clarinet that I had never seen before. It was the same size as a wood clarinet....it was as if the skinny metal clarinet was encased in another metal clarinet of the standard bore dimension.
It was a French clarinet, don't remember the brand....started with a "c". She took off the mouthpiece so I could see the horn better. Very unusual. She told me it was older than God.
Anyone out there have a clue what I am talking about?
Jean
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2003-07-10 16:29
Jean, I think they're usually called "double-wall" clarinets, and I don't know too much more about 'em than that! I think several manufacturers (Selmer, Buffet, etc.) made them in the early part of the 20th century.
Katrina
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-07-10 16:40
clarinetmama said:
>It was a French clarinet, don't remember the brand....started with a "c".
Very likely was a Couesnon & Cie ...GBK
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-07-11 15:44
The circus wagons and train are wonderful. My four year (who is afraid of clowns) even had a good time.
Jean
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-12 00:11
Another French maker starting with a C is Chapelain. It is more likely to be a Cuesnon double wall.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2003-07-13 04:34
I have seen a couple Couesnon operated in France from 1882 until at least 1950. According to the New Langwell index, by 1911 they had 8 factories, 1000 employees, and made every kind of musical instrument. On eBay, I have seen a few double walled metal clarinets marked Couesnon. I have seen perhaps a few more metal clarinets marked Triebert. Triebert is another french company. Of note, it appears that they were acquired by Cousenon in the early 1900s. The two models look different but have have been made in the same factory at the same times. I have also seen french models called the Lafayette freres. Langwell lists this as a Cousenon trade name.
Double walled metal clarinets are rare. In the US, Conn, Penzel Muller, and Haynes made them. Rampone in Italy made at least a few.
I do not think the double walled metal clarinets are any heavier than the single walled metal models. I have a Triebert that is OK and a Penzel Muller that I like a lot. Aside from looks, I am guessing that the big advantage is that the double wall created some insulation, which would reduce the amount of moisture condensing inside the instrument. Metal clarients were drool machines if played outside in cold weather.
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