The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tom Dahle
Date: 1999-03-04 14:09
I have a wooden clarinet made by G. Pruefer, Rhode Island, and I believe it is pitched in B (not flat and not C). Any information on scarcity or the maker?
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Author: Mark P.
Date: 1999-03-04 15:34
This is probably a high pitched B flat clarinet. Pruefers while not being common are not rare and ususally don't sell for a whole lot of money, $40-100. Most likely made in the 1900-1920 range.
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Author: Tom Dahle
Date: 1999-03-04 17:11
The top of the barrel to the bottom of the bell is a full one inch shorter than my Buffet Bb. The Pruefer has only one joint. Any further thoughts?
I also have an Albert System Buffet; do you know anything about those?
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Author: Mark P.
Date: 1999-03-04 20:20
Buffet, like many companies, wanted to be competitive in several areas. Buffet produced Albert system clarinets into the 1930s probably. They made both high pitch and low pitch instruments, there should be either an H or HP or L or LP on the two sections with keys. There should be a serial number as well that can be used to date the instrument.
I've seen Buffet Alberts go for 100-250.
The measurement on the Pruefer sounds about right for a high pitch B flat. Does it say B on any of the joints? Back then they used to mark the sections of the clarinet with A, B, or C to indicate key. I have a matched set of Penzel Mueller Boehm clarinets which are marked LP and either B or A on each piece.
It was not uncommon in the early 20th century for clarinets to have the main body made out of one piece of wood rather than two joints, usually when I've seen this they have been full Boehm though.
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