 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: drew
Date: 2000-11-21 19:56
I've done all the searches on the Sneezy Klarinet archives and BBS on the Conn model 444N, but have come up with only a few hits. Apparently this was a pro horn back in the 30's and 40's, and was played by some big name band leaders (Artie Shaw?). Apparently it was a big bore instrument, probably with unfraised toneholes, and was reputed to have a "big" sound.
I've been poking around everywhere I can think of, including Lee Gibson's "Clarinet Acoustics", etc,. but no luck on obtaining information such as:
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Author: drew
Date: 2000-11-21 20:01
(Sorry, guess I hit the rong key)
Bore dimensions: how does it compare with the big bore Selmers of the same period
Where made: Elkhart? Paris?
Who made them: did Conn, or perhaps a better known manufacturer under contract?
Who really used these instruments?
How many were made?
Are these still in use by any jazz musicians?
What are their characteristics? Intonation, tone color, response, volume, etc.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can fill in some of the blanks on this clarinet mystery.
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2000-11-22 00:51
drew --
My 444s measure just over ~0.600" at top upper joint and ~0.010" smaller at the lower end of the upper joint. This is very slightly larger than the 1930s Selmers I have played and measured.
These horns were made in Elkhart. Conn at one time was the largest manufacturer of band instruments in the world, and was probably the best known manufacturer between WWI and WWII. Conn then was like Selmer is today. In other words, they made several different high quality horns -- trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, etc.
To get an idea of what a good big bore clarinet plays like and sounds like, imagine a well adjusted Bundy Resonite (0.590" cylindical bore) with nicer key action, slightly better tuning, slightly better response, and no really bad notes. The opposite end of the spectrum from my 51xxx R13.
Leblanc makes a Pete Fountain model big bore clarinet. It is probably the best quality big bore clarinet available but I can't say for sure because I have never had the chance to blow one.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-22 01:16
This is the "Artie Shaw" model. Yep, no undercutting or polycylindrical dimensions.
Getting a mouthpiece to match was apparently something of a chore, and the original barrel is a must. I suppose another barrel could be rebored to work with the horn.
I've heard this played locally in swing and dixieland settings (same player on his R-13 on a different date), it was as if the horn was amplified. This player tried out the Pete Fountain signature horn and found them very similar. The Conn was something of a family heirloom.
It is VERY bright, on the edge of strident and not particularly loud at the lower end.
I really want one of these, but can't manage to get my hands on one. They sell around $300 on eBay and are ridiculously expensive at the mail order houses.
Good luck getting yours!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-22 22:32
I have at present a plastic Conn Director of similar or slightly later vintage, after they went to just serial no's, not models as 444, my #2 bass clar is [I believe] a 442 ! Yes, they made big-bore horns in those days, prob. copying Selmer's success with big band and Dixieland music use. Yes, they do play loudly and brightly, too much so for classical use, so there was a decrease by several makers from the 15 mm to 14.8 or even 14.6 bores and the use of polycylindrical and/or tapered [slightly conical] to better tune-up the 12ths etc. Lee Gibson's book on Clar Acoustics gives a good [but too brief] survey of this. Don
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