 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: J-Claude COTILLARD
Date: 2000-12-12 11:39
I asked recently if somebody had informations to give me on the Kingston metal clarinets and as nobody answered me I only deduces that : either these clarinets are extraordinarily rare, or my English is very bad (I'm French). What is your opinion?
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Author: Rene
Date: 2000-12-12 11:56
There was just one on www.ebay.com. Was sold for 500 DM.
Rene
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-12 12:59
In the US, metal clarinets are extremely common. Unless it was made by a very well known maker such as Selmer or Haynes, they seldom go for more than $75US. Usually they go for closer to $50US.
The Kingston is probably a student grade instrument. Intermediate grade is uncommon and pro grade is very rare.
Try searching the US eBay listing for the US spelling of clarinet and Kingston. Try searching the closed auctions. To get a general feel for US prices of metal clarinets in general, try searching for metal clarinet in both active and closed auctions.
At one time there were hundreds of companies making or marketing metal clarinets, especially student grades. Most of these companies ceased making them in the 1940s although at least one (Noblet) continued until the 1960s. So it is not surprising that you have gotten no responses about your Kingston.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-12-12 15:57
I agree with Dee's message. In many years of flea marketing, I've seen a lot of metal clarinets with unrecognizable names that I couldn't find in any manufacturers' lists. That doesn't mean they're rare and valuable clarinets. They're just "no-names." Often these are "stencil" instruments made for stores. The clarinet is stencilled (i.e. engraved) with the in-house brand name of the store instead of the name of the real manufacturer. Sometimes stencils are good instruments (try before you buy!), but because of the unknown brand name, they aren't worth much money. Dee's assessment of $50 to $75 is also about right for the Washington, D. C. area. They often go for that much at auctions, but at flea markets it's not unusual to see "no-name" metal clarinets for less than $50 around here.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-12 17:06
On eBay, when a clarinet is described as "rare," it's 99% certain to be junk. 100% extra for each exclamation point.
You still need to look (but beware "LQQK" or "L@@K"), on the off chance that a knowledgeable seller really does have something rare, but these sellers rarely resort to the sort of puffery used by the garbagemeisters.
K@n Sh@w
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Author: J-Claude COTILLARD
Date: 2000-12-13 07:42
Thank you at all for your informations ! This Kingston clarinet I restored it and it plays very well , I just wanted to know his history a little.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2000-12-14 21:26
J-Claude:
You might contact an antique dealer for some information relating to the instrument. Antique does not always mean very old. PBS (Public Broadcast System) offers several televison programs dealing with this type of item. Check your ;local listings, etc. or an English listing to see what might be available on the TV. This might help you some. I dont know where wlse to turn.
By the way, your English is excellent. I just wish my French was half as good.
Bon chance, mon amî
Bob Curtis
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2000-12-16 03:53
I actually saw a metal clarinet "appraised" on antiques road show. I don't recall the specifics, other than I thought the expert didn't get it right. Of course, I have been silly enough to buy
lots of metal clarinets on eBay and I think I paid "right" prices for most of them. It's worth whatever some fool is willing to pay. Just don't assume there will be a bigger fool when you want to get rid of it. (I won't have this problem. I plan to leave one or two metal clarinets to each of my 99 great great grandchildren. Give or take. My kids are just finishing high school, but I am willing to wait a long time. A long long time.)
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