 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarke
Date: 2000-09-19 15:10
My eight year old is interested in learning to play the clarinet and we purchased him an older Thibouville Freres Ecole model. I assumed that this was a student or "school" model. He is taking piano lessons now and will get into the clarinet next year. Is this a good starter model? Does anyone know where we can go to get information on the company that made this instrument. Regards
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Author: Clarke
Date: 2000-09-19 15:26
I forgot to mention that the clarinet also has M. Masson inscribed on it above the Thibouville inscription with a serial number of EM 3532. Clarke
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-09-19 16:42
I have Thib. Fr. MII [11?] 1295, a very good, old, wood [17 key/6 ring] clarinet, [also Masson, Paris, with music lyre above]. My T F case has a "sash" in it saying "Fine Woodwinds since 1804". I dont know of any ser. no. info on them, I guess my horn is of 1930-50 vintage. My dict. says Ecole is school, inst. method or "style of an artist". I had another which I gave to a young teacher in Tulsa, who praised it for tone color. I presume yours is wood also, so if no cracks, will prob. survive beginner's treatment [if not subjected to playing in the cold outdoors] , [also be careful of the bridge keys in assembly and disaasembly if it has no "ears" on either key half]. There is some info on Thib. on our BBoard since it was associated [as Mark C describes] with Cabart and other ?Buffet-competitors? over many years, see or search for Cabart, Thibouville, Lamy and other lesser-known turn-of-the-century French makers. At any rate, congratulations and best wishes. Don
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Author: Clarke
Date: 2000-09-19 17:03
Thank you Don, and yes it is wooden with no cracks and the case does have the same sash with the 1804 print. One key half has an ear but we will be careful. Regards Clarke
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-09-19 19:08
I also have a Thibouville Freres "Ecole" clarinet (actually made of parts from three different such clarinets!), one joint of which also has the "M. Masson" mark (Masson was an importer, not a manufacturer). Although nominally a "student" clarinet, I find it to be exceptionally well-made, and mine (even though it's a 'mutt') plays so well it's my main B-flat clarinet (and I have over a dozen down in the basement to choose from!). So I would venture that yours is a good instrument and worth repairing and playing on.
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Author: Clarke
Date: 2000-09-19 20:27
Thank you Dave, does yours have the serial number marks where the key halfs meet? I guess that I will have it recorked and repadded. Can anyone refer me to a good restorer in the Central New Jersey / NYC area? Regards Clarke
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-09-20 18:09
Clarke,
I'm sure one or more of the joints on my clarinet has a serial number (I don't have the horn with me, it's at home and I'm at work), but as I wrote previously, my instrument is a hodgepodge of three different Thibouville "Ecole" instruments, so the numbers wouldn't match anyway. As for repairmen in your area, I wouldn't know, I'm in the Washington, DC area.
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Author: donald
Date: 2022-04-01 10:29
Hi there, I have the possibility to pick up a "M. Masson / Thibouville" clarinet for a few hundred dollars... Dave S - are you still playing your one? (you comment was from 22 years ago!!!)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2022-04-04 14:49
Hi donald, I've probably been through about a hundred clarinets in the past 22 years(!) so no, not playing the Thibouville any more. I believe I donated mine to a niece who was interested in playing clarinet years ago (of course, like most kids she didn't stay with it).
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