 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-12-04 12:22
Hi Everyone,
I have recently developed an interest in the Harrison ligature. I found an old telephone number for the company that places its location in SE Nebraska somewhere around Lincoln. Being a part-time resident of Omaha, this really peaked my interest.
Can anyone tell me any specifics about the company (years of operation, exact location, key personel, etc.)? A web search with all sorts of engines has yielded little of this type of information. I suspect some of the old BB members may have some first hand experience that they might share. Don Berger may even have a patent number somewhere in his collection.
Thanks,
HRL
PS I did hear one story about Harrison himself going around to conventions and playing and selling the ligature.
Post Edited (2003-12-04 14:22)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-04 12:26
Can't help out there, Hank, but do know that some have a gold finish and the part that touches the reed looks like the letter "H". I have one and it plays real good.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-12-04 14:31
Yur rite, Hank, even tho I prob. have a copy somewhere, e pluribus unum [one from/of many], twas easier to look it up on USPTO Databases. However, I found that ligature is a generic term! and would suggest searching via Harrison [and other inventors] AND clarinet. I found US 4,080,866 which has "thumb-nail" descriptions of Harrison, 3,890,873, and Bonade and Mueller [I have an old M, somewhere! also]. H's pat should have his location at that time [of filing a pat appl!]. There is a pat with a "laundry-list" of ligs/inventors, prob. retrievable via clarinet AND ligature. I do go on, but am none too sharp in early AM. Hope #s are rite! Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-04 14:37
(If this is of any help) Before his health declined, Harrison was a regular exhibitor and the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic held yearly in the Chicago Hilton before Christmas time. He sold all of his many products, but delighted in demonstrating his ligatures (he was a clarinetist) for anyone that would listen. He was an friendly, outgoing man who always had an interesting display that I looked foreward to visiting. Unfortunately, I never took the time to learn of the personal history of himself nor that of this company--too interested in his instrument stands, batons, reed cases, ligatures, etc.
His ligatures are based upon the first initial of his name, "H", and are a variation of the Bonade inverted lig with the middle of the rails filed down so they do not come in contact with the reed (an common practice a few years ago). But his other wood products were simply beautiful creations as well as functional accessories. I do not use his ligs, but do use his reed cases and, for a few years, directed my groups with one of his batons.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-12-04 15:02
Bob, William, and Don,
Thanks for the updates. Each little piece adds to the legend. Now that it was mentioned, I do remember Harrison at Midwest (also met Bernie Portnoy and Mazzeo at some of the same meetings which were in the mid-1970s). Midwest is the place!
Cheers,
HRL
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-06-13 13:41
Harrison 3,890,873 [1975], Hank. There are many lig pats awaiting review by you "devotees". I suggest the possibility that a " Kaspar patent" might be by a different inventor and was ?acquired? and constructed by K, who is best known [to me] by association with Stubbins. I suggest both Google Patents and USPTO for a detailed search. LUCK, AM thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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