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Re: GH Huller Clarinet

Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2010-05-19 12:25

I can help a little with your GH Huller clarinet.

First, Ben, I'm not certain it was the GH Huller company that became part of B&S after WWII. There was another Huller instrument company -- don't remember its name off the top of my head -- and it's my understanding that it became part of B&S. Thus, there may be some confusion between the two Huller companies. I suspect that GH Huller went out of business during the war. But, I'll leave it to German music company experts to have the final word.

I have a GH Huller alto saxophone and without question it's the finest alto I've played in my life....and I've owned Selmer (including several Mark VIs), Buescher, Conn, etc. GH Huller craftsmanship is extremely high. The sound and overall performance of this horn is breathtaking. I have not been able to find any existing GH Huller serial number and production year lists. So, I cannot know for certain the year of my horn. However, based on its design features, I estimate it to be around 1936.

I'd expect a GH Huller clarinet to be an exceptional instrument. Or, at least, a really interesting clarinet to try.

One thing that may or may not be a problem with this clarinet is it's tuned to 435. That's the meaning of the 880 number (435 x 2). My Huller alto also has 435 tuning. When I realized that's what the 880 number means I immediately thought the horn's intonation would be problematic. However, it plays perfectly fine with 440 tuning. (In fact, I have to say its intonation is better than some Selmer saxophones I've played.) Of course, with saxophone one normally makes minor lip adjustments for intonation.

If your Huller clarinet is playable, please tell us more about how it plays and sounds. How is the quality and condition of the wood? Also, how is its intonation? I'm curious about how a GH Huller clarinet compares to French clarinets.

Hope the Huller works for you.

Roger

http://www.amc.net/RogerMAldridge

Post Edited (2010-05-19 14:24)

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