The Clarinet BBoard

Selmer Paris K17XX

Author: elipsis1  Date:   2009-06-07 03:12 Hello all, hopefully someone will have some info about 3 clarinets I inherited from my grandfather, who was born in 1905. There is a real old one, with a note that said his grandfather gave it to him when he was nine. I believe it is a Fernand Chapelain et CIE? with "KEY" and "HP" engraved on it. I cannot find any serial number, but in the note he said it is an "albert system" and that it is E or Eb? It is a lot smaller than the other two. I showed it to a friend of mine who plays clarinet and he said it was very interesting, very antique. Any idea as to the worth/age? The selmer has the old selmer logo before the 1926? update? The serial is K17XX, but it has 5 keys on the lower right, instead of four. (says Brevete?) Also, there is a hole in the joint where the two body pieces come together, along with a pad that is activated with a key that is located right where the body pieces come together and a little lever between the first and second right hand holes. The top three holes are all ringed. I was thinking about getting it fixed up, and the guy at the repair shop said it had a lot of articulation keys. I am wondering if it is full boehm? Also, someone "removed" two of the lower left hand long keys, I wonder if they can be replaced? (worried that they would have to be a custom job?) There is another clarinet by A. Lefevres, Paris. It is wood, regular Boehm I believe, but can't find any serial number. Are any of these worth much? I don't really care either way, because they have sentimental value to me, but I was just wondering. I hope someone can give me some info, I sure would love to know the history behind these treasures: like about what year they were made. I am able to play a few notes on all of them, although the fernand chapelain is very hard to get more than three notes out of. Nevertheless, that little one probably hasn't been played since 1920! I find it very exciting that these old instruments are making sound again. My grandfather must be smiling, if he can see me trying to play these from heaven. Thanks a lot in advance for any help. Scott Post Edited (2009-06-07 04:51)

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