 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: alacombe
Date: 2005-09-15 21:24
About 10 years ago I bought an old clarinet at an antique store and it's been sitting in the closet since then. I've finally decided it's time to try to figure out just what it is.
I think it's an Albert system fingering. The mark on the bell says "BUFFET Crampon & Co. A Paris; C. Fischer New York made in france" The clarinet is in four pieces, instead of the normal five. There is the mouthpiece, short barrel, then one piece with all the keys, and the bell. The serial number looks like 392T, though the T is not really clear.
I have tried playing it, but the joints are very loose. I am able to make a sound, but it's difficult with the loose joints. The keys mostly work, but a couple are stiff.
Looking at the serial number lists, this serial number lists as 1904. So, does this sound like a 1904 instrument? Can anyone tell me more about it? I would appreciate any info.
Alan
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-15 21:54
If it is indeed an albert system then - by looking at http://www.geocities.com/silverleafjb/albert.htm, it appears to be from the 1920s. (scroll down to roughly the middle of the page, to the "Carl Fischer perfected System")
--
Ben
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Author: alacombe
Date: 2005-09-15 22:28
I've put up some photos at http://www.lacombe.org/clarinet/ if anyone wants to take a look.
Thanks,
Alan
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2005-09-15 23:10
WOW!!! $52 for a top of the line clarinet, and $1.50 for a dozen reeds. How times have changed.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2005-09-15 23:53
Yes, this instrument is an Albert (or German) system clarinet. It's very hard to judge actual dimensions from the picture. I get the impression this is not a Bb clarinet.
Clarinet was made in the early 1900.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2005-09-16 04:23
Hi:
I think Vytas is correct.
It's hard to tell, of course, from a photo, but judging by how close the lowest pad is to the bell joint, it may be a Bb High Pitch clarinet (ie about a B natural). My experience of owning 2 Buffet Bb HP and several other brands of HP clarinets, and also seeing countless photos of them for sale on Ebay indicates a high pitch clarinet. All of them I've seen where the bottom pad is so close to the bell have been Bb high pitch.
It looks like a good instrument, though, for a great price! I would have bought it!!
:-)
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: alacombe
Date: 2005-09-16 11:03
I am surprised I didn't notice the dize difference. Anyway - this one measures 25 1/4" from tip of the mouthpiece to the end of the bell, about 1 1/4" shorter than my 'normal' clarinet. From the measurements, it does look like it is not exactly 1 half step higher in pitch. Can you recommend a resource that expains this size?
Does this instrument have any potential as a playing clarinet, or is it best to just retire it to a shelf for display? I'm just trying to figure out my options. If it's possibly worth something, I'd probably sell it and my current clarinet and purchase a better quality clarinet. If it isn't worth much I'll probably clean it up myself - replace pads and corks and straighten the couple tweaked pieces and have a go with the different fingered instrument. Any recommendations?
Thanks,
Alan
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