 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: George Stalle
Date: 2009-02-13 01:14
I'm new to the site, so hello fellow sliver suckers! I recently purchased an old H. Freeman clarinet (also stamped "Made in France") from Sam Ash Music for $33. Cracked barrel and bell, both of which I can replace. It looks to be around 40-50 years old. I intend to use it as a backup clarinet for kids who can't afford a clarinet in my middle school band program.
Is it worth fixing up? And what can anyone tell me about this relic?
Thanks!
George Stalle
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-02-13 07:15
I've just seen a full Gillet oboe stamped 'Freeman' though this is Italian - probably made by Prestini or Orsi.
So I assume as your clarinet is made in France, it might possibly be a Malerne who were taken over by Marigaux (SML) in the '70s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-02-13 13:25
Harold Freeman was a clarinetist in Toscanini's NBC Symphony, and the proprietor of a music store in Ardsley, New York. He was a major Buffet dealer; I wonder if your H. Freeman clarinet might be an Evette stencil?
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Author: George Stalle
Date: 2009-02-17 14:34
Ken:
The interesting thing about this Freeman clarinet is that the serial number is on the upper part of the lower joint and first stamped with a sideways zero, followed by "0123". Larry Boccaner says that it could be an Evette stencil or possibly even a Buffet stencil. The keywork is so very similar to my old R13 (#108) keywork, but earlier by, say, 5-10 years.
The grain of the wood is very, very tight and dense so it might be a nice horn.
Best,
George Stalle
George Stalle
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-02-17 16:51
George,
Can you show us some pictures of your Freeman? I have one also, it needs an overhaul but the wood is in very nice condition. It's definitely not a Pedler but I'm not so sure it's a Buffet stencil either as the bridge key mechanism has the wings on the bottom rather than the top. I will take some pics shortly.
Sue
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Author: susieray
Date: 2009-02-17 17:25
Attachment: H. Freeman clarinet.jpg (203k)
Attachment: Freeman logo.jpg (54k)
Attachment: Made in France.jpg (31k)
Attachment: Freeman keys.jpg (153k)
Pictures...it's marked Made in France on both the upper and lower joints. NO serial number that I can find. Bridge key does not look like Buffet. Keys are nickel plated and is worn on the throat keys, appears not to be real thick plating. It has blue steel springs; the wood is very pretty. Haven't played it since it needs new pads!
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2009-02-17 17:31
The lower joint ring keys look similar to the older Evette "B" series clarinets. That is serial numbers that started with the letter "B".
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2009-02-17 19:06
The clarinet in susieray's pictures is made by Malerne.
B.T.W. B-series E&S clarinets are much older (40's) and have slightly different keywork (throat A & G# share a single post etc.)
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: George Stalle
Date: 2009-02-17 20:42
Notes re: my H. Freeman:
Serial number on mine is at the top of the lower joint: A sideways zero (!), followed by "0123". I have never seen a sideways "0" before.
Made in France on mine is ONLY on the top joint, just below the H. Freeman logo. Nowhere else.
All the keywork looks identical to yours. I'll try to upload pictures tonight.
All the best,
George Stalle
PS: I did a preliminary play test today and even with a cracked barrel and bell (pretty nicely repaired), and in need of new pads, it was pretty solid.
The wood is about as dense a grain as you can get, to my eyes. More black than yours: I detected some brownish hue in yours? Mine is a deep black grenadilla.
George Stalle
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Author: George Stalle
Date: 2009-02-20 00:04
Here are the best photos I can muster of my H. Freeman clarinet? Anyone have any thoughts? The weird serial number may or may not show up: starts with the sideways zero, followed by "0123".
Made in France on upper joint only, just below the H. Freeman logo.
Thanks for thoughts from anyone.
George Stalle
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Author: mk
Date: 2009-02-20 00:35
I am not familiar with H. Freeman clarinets, but i do remember H. Freeman. He was a gentleman and a dedicated musician and businessman. I still remember some of his stories from his Toscanini days and also of his early days in Chicago. Too bad he never wrote memoirs......many would find his life quite interesting i am sure.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-02-20 01:38
mk -
Are any of the Freeman stories repeatable in polite company? I'd love to read them.
Ken Shaw
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Author: mk
Date: 2009-02-23 01:06
polite company....lets put it this way.....these stories are not acceptable for all ages....ask B.B. if he is still in town, he knows many of them.
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