 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: selkie
Date: 2007-02-11 18:40
I am trying to fins out how old a Corton Clarinet is. I has the number 135 on it. Can anybody help me age this please? Thanks.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-11 19:48
Is that the only number?
The only thing I can suggest is to contact Amati, though it depends if they've kept records of their serial numbers, though an easier way to tell is by the type of case it has (if it still in the original case), and if it says 'Czechoslovakia' or 'Czech Republic'.
Their email address is: amati@amati.cz
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: selkie
Date: 2007-02-16 11:59
The Clarinet is here and the bell is marked Corton Czechoslovakia. 135 on the wooden body and everything is working perfectly on it. I have been very lucky as it has never been used since the seller bought it from a music shop and it has been totally re cooked and repadded. B & C are fine on it as well. Saw your previous post on this. The case is probably the original as it is a mustardly yellow case with ref velvet lining inside. The top body section has 135 with an 8 above the number. I've emailed Amati but had no reply as of yet.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-16 13:09
If it's the mustardy yellow case with black beading and a single clasp, then it's probably from the '70s when mustard yellow was a popular colour. The 'Corton' logo is in plastic and screwed onto the case lid.
The later ones from the mid '80s were the same shape, but covered in black fake leather with either a mustard yellow or burgundy lining with a stuck on 'Corton' logo.
Then in the early '90s the cases were squared off with striated black plastic covering, fake leather edging and corners and a burgundy lining.
The current cases dating from the late '90s are made of vacuum formed hard black plastic with a black lining.
I've a feeling the '135' (and the '8' above that) is the model number which is stamped on the front above the throat A key, and not the serial number.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: glcdurham
Date: 2014-11-03 01:39
Hi
I have a Corton and it is all wooden except the mouthpiece. This is the first one I've seen. The number on the body is: 20038 with a 1 above. The bell is stamped Corton (Foreign). I can see the wood grain on the bell. The wood sheen on the bell is the same as the body. Does this ring true.
Retired
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2014-11-04 03:24
I can't shed any light on the specific date. However, my first instrument was a Corton with the mustard yellow case exactly as described by Chris P, bought new in 1976. It had a wooden body but a plastic bell. As I recall, some of the nickel plated keywork, and particularly the throat G# and A keys, were raised higher than on most instruments, and not particularly ergonomically designed. My teacher insisted it had to go a couple of years later, and I became the proud owner of a pair of B&H Emperors, which felt very sleek by comparison!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-11-04 03:32
In automotive terms, Cortons, Lafleurs, B&H 400s and the like made by Amati from the '60s through to the '90s are the equivalent of Skoda Estelles.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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