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RE: Old, silver clarinet?

Author: Dee
Date: 1999-03-24 00:54

Soprano saxes are much fatter than clarinets (even wooden ones) and has Don said they flare (a LOT by the way) where the metal clarinet stays nearly the same diameter until you get close to the bell. If the key structure is like that of a clarinet and it is as skinny as you say, it is almost certainly a metal clarinet. They take a standard clarinet mouthpiece. The mouthpiece slides into a larger cup that narrows down to the diameter of the horn. In some cases, this cup is part of the body of the clarinet while in others it is a separate piece allowing the clarinetist more freedom in pulling it out or pushing it in to adjust the tuning.

Up until the 1940's metal clarinets were made by the ton by a great number of companies for the student and marching band trade. So most of what you find at flea markets, etc are in this category. This is probably what you have. Monetary value is low as there are actually a lot of these around. On the internet auction, around 10% of the clarinets listed are metal ones. There are no doubt a large number still stored away in attics, etc around the country. There are a significant number of clarinetists though who want one to have just as a nifty little thing for their collection. On the eBay auction site, they are bringing anywhere from $25 to $125 depending on the condition.

A few professional grade metal clarinets were made but these are quite rare as they never really caught on. The ones that I have heard of were made by the larger, more prestigious instrument makers who could afford to take the risk. These would probably have a significant value to collectors.

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