 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Cazkid
Date: 2009-04-16 07:54
I found a clarinet in an antique shop for $30, all the pads are shot, and the barrel and bell is cracked. I found out it is in the key of C and used the Albert Key System. I have four questions, where can I find replacements for the bell and barrel? Do you guys think that a standard pad kit would cover for the bad pads, which at this point seems to be all of them. Thirdly, I know Carl Fischer distributed Buffets etc, but there is no serial number nor Buffet insigia, the only other stamp I can find besides CARL FISCHER NEW YORK is LPC which the L and P is above the C, do you have any idea what this means? Lastly, was it worth $30?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-04-16 12:38
LP= Low Pitch: The instrument is pitched for A=440 Hz.
C= Key of C
Is it worth restoring? Maybe. You haven't spent much on it yet. Will restoring it make the instrument a good clarinet? Who knows?
In general music literature, most music isn't written for C clarinet, but you can play music written for other instruments (violin/flute/voice) without transposition. Band and orchestral music is generally not written for the clarinet in C. There is some, but not all that much.
If you want the instrument as a curiosity, it might be worth restoring. Personally, it would not be worth it to me, especially since you will ahve to go o the trouble and expense of finding both a barrel and a bell..
.
.Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-04-16 12:40)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-04-16 13:59
Good advice, Jeff and Bob, If I had found a little jewel like this [I believe simple/Albert system C's are few and hard to find] I'd hasten to assess the repair problems and costs, and do what repairs I could and find a sympathetic tech to at least seal the barrel and bell cracks, since replacements would be nearly impossible. When finished and played to my satisfaction, I'd consider giving it to one of several musical museums, perhaps claiming a donation on my 2009 tax return ?? You might ask this same question on the Early Clarinet Yahoo site re: value. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-04-16 18:44
Without seeing the barrel and bell, even if they're split from top to bottom, my guess is that you probably don't need to replace them. Give them a good wash with Murphy's Oil Soap and get yourself a tube of Superglue. Fill the cracks with Superglue and then clamp the pieces (or not). When the glue dries, sand the excess glue from the surfaces (inside and outside) with fine sandpaper. They'll probably be just fine.
Actually Don, I think these old simple system C clarinets are more common than you might imagine. I'd say it was worth the $30.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-04-16 19:12
Hi Jack, yer prob. rite, curbstone opinions really don't mean much. For more pro comments, I'd ask Debbi Reeves at NMM and Al Rice at Claremont-Fiske [et al] if they would accept these 1900 ?antiques? . I haven't been turned down, yet ! Regards, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cazkid
Date: 2009-04-17 03:43
Thank you guys, I'm going to buy some pads, and repad it myself, to figure out how well it plays. I think I'll seal the bell with glue, but get a tech to seal the barrel. Thanks again for all the advice
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
