 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: R. Simpson
Date: 2000-11-08 02:26
I just bought a really old clarinet. The register key wraps around to the front, there are only 3 ''trill'' keys, and they are not in a line, there are only 2 right hand pinky keys, and 2 left hand pinky keys. The pinky keys have black rollers on them, and some of the other leys have little black dots in th middle of them. There are no corks to hald the instrument together, just string. The clarinet is made of a dark reddish brown color, and the mouth piece is the same color of wood too. The only markings on it are LPB and ''FRANCE'' (its marked in quotes on the horn). The hole where apparently your left thumb should go (just below the reg. key) has no ring, just a drilled hole. Its has some really old red leather pads, some are missing, the horn has two cracks, one on the barrell, and the other start on the apparent 2nd space A key and runs to the top pf the joint. I cant tell if the keys have a nickel or silver plate because they are so dull. There is also NO apparent serial number marking on it. Does anyone know when this could have been made? Or what brand? Or how much its worth (Im not interested in seling it, just wanna know out of curiosity)?
Any help would be helpful
Thanks!
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-11-08 02:29
I believe your key system is probably an "Albert" system. The wrap around key sounds like an Albert feature.
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-11-08 07:00
R.
You've described a low(standard) pitch Albert system clarinet. The wrap around register key doesn't mean anything, everything else does. Does it have a brand name? Without a maker's mark it's worth is practically zip. If the wood's in decent shape (cracks, if not too bad, usually aren't major problems), it might be worth restoring... if you want to play it. Or, just clean it up and keep it for a display/conversation piece. As you describe it, its worth is whatever you've invested in it.
ron b.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-08 13:54
The fact that it is marked LPB means it is Low Pitch Bflat (compatible with modern pitch). The fact that it is actually marked with LP narrows down the time period a bit to between sometime in the 1890s and sometime in the 1930s.
I've seen wraparound register keys on both Albert and Boehm system instruments but I agree that the rest of the description matches that of the Albert system.
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-11-09 21:50
This is an Albert System clarinet. If you restore it, you'll have to learn to play it, as it uses a different fingering system to a normal (Boehm system) clarinet. There are fingering charts available at: http://www.wfg.sneezy.org, where it is the same as an Oehler system clarinet.
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Author: R. Simpson
Date: 2000-11-10 15:18
Does the fact that it is old (1890's to 1930's) increase its value
I only paid 40 buck for this horn.
It has no brand markings. Just LPB and ''FRANCE"
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-10 16:18
R. Simpson wrote:
>
> Does the fact that it is old (1890's to 1930's) increase
> its value
> I only paid 40 buck for this horn.
> It has no brand markings. Just LPB and ''FRANCE"
Nope. Too many of them around and the fact that the maker can't be identified limit its value. If you were to try to sell it, you'd get just about what you paid for it.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-11-18 16:48
I taught Band in Texas for 37 years and have seen only one clarinet of which you have described. This was brought in by one beginning student whose aunt had given it to him to see if it could be used as a beginner's instrument. Even some of these keys were missing! There are very few instructors in public school music who can even find a fingering chart or teach this type of instrument. My advice is to find a really good carpenter and consider having a lamp stand made of it. It would make a charming and very interesting conversation piece. Other suggestion would be to have it restored to a reasonable condition and molunted for a wall display for home or ofice. I have seen this done for old wooden flutes. Good Luck!
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