 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-12-06 01:50
I'm currently in the process of weeding out my clarinet collection and deciding what is worth keeping. One of the instruments I have on the shelf is a Kohlert Winnenden Bb clarinet that is in need of an overhaul. It's in pretty good shape structurally but will need some key swedging to make it playable (lots of play around the pivot screws in the upper joint). Looks to be very well made and the keywork is very nice which suggests to me it was probably one of their upper level instruments.
I've generally heard that the older Kohlerts made in Bohemia were quite nice but that the Winnenden instruments varied in quality with later instruments being worse that the earlier ones due to the financial difficulties of the company. My particular instrument looks to be an early one as the serial number is pretty low (#5632). I'm guessing that it was probably made in the very early 50's. Any thoughts on whether this one might be worth an overhaul?
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Author: Reedirect
Date: 2010-12-06 09:07
The old Kohlert Winnenden clarinets usually sell for modest prices here in Germany. That, however, doesn't mean that they are poor instruments.
It is in my opinion a myth that the quality of the instruments made in the old Kohlert manufacturing in Graslitz (now Kraslice, Czech Republic) was superior to the ones made in Winnenden.
An overhaul won't create an instrument with a high "market" value.
If the wood and the overall appearance is OK and if it sounds reasonable, you can certainly give it a try but it is probably not worth it just for merchandise purposes.
Some background information regarding Kohlert & Sons (sources: Saxophon Forum, Germany; Woodwind Museum, Markneukirchen; Moosmann Homepage):
Kohlert was initially based in Graslitz (today Kraslice, Chech Republic). Founded in 1840 by Vincent Kohlert. In the first years the firm concentrated on bassoon production.
Vincents Sons Rudolf, Daniel und Franz joined the comany before WWII. The firm expanded markedly and had temporarily over 600 employees (three times as much as Selmer had at the same time) producing a broad range of woodwinds. After WWII, however, the comany was nationalized.
As a consequence, Kohlert emigrated to Winnenden/West-Germany after WWII founding a new company under his name. In 1949 production of saxophones was started with 40 employees.
Between 1953 und 1954 the number of employees increased to 100, mostly working from their homes. At that time the company again offered a broad spectrum of woodwind insturments (bassoon, oboe, saxophone, clarinet)
After managment errors the company stumbled. In order to rescue the firm saxophone production was automatized. In 1965 the company, however, went bancrupt despite all efforts and still a stable demand for their instruments.
in 1967 the company was sold for 40.000 Deutschmark (roughly 10.000$ at that time) and production was partially relocated to Nordheim/Germany.
1982 Albert Moosmann (who had been one of the first apprentices at the Kohlert-Winnenden company back then) and his Sohn Bernd bought the company. Bernd Moosmann is still manufacturing bassoons.
http://www.b-moosmann.de/
Best
Jo
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-06 11:12
Steve, I agree with your assessment. I've found that the Winnenden-era Kohlert clarinets (roughly 1949-1960s) were decent but not fabulous, but the pre-WWII Graslitz/Kraslice clarinets (variously labeled with "Austria", "Bohemia", "Czecho-Slovakia", "Czechoslovakia", or even "Sudetengau" as place of origin!) are almost always excellent. I've restored probably eight or ten of the older clarinets, and two of my personal best soprano clarinets (a full-Boehm and an Oehler) are vintage Kohlerts, as well as one of my best Boehm bass clarinet. They are one of the true little-known bargains out there.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-12-06 15:53
Thanks for the feedback. I've actually got one of the Kraslice horns on the shelf as well but the somewhat cheap looking keywork on it makes me suspect that it may have been a lower end model so I haven't really considered doing anything with it.
I'll probably leave the Winnenden on the shelf for now and maybe I'll throw some new pads on it at some point and see if the tone quality warrants having the mechanical issues fixed.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-12-06 17:01
I have'nt run into a Kraslice/Graslitz or Bohemia horn that was anything but excellent. Most of the Winnenden clarinets are very good also, but I've run into a couple Winnenden's that had nickel-plated keys, usually showing wear. I don't personally rate them quite as high, because it's fiscally prohibative to do a full restoration on the worn plating. They can be returned to good 'player's though.
In fairness, the nickel-plated keywork from other makes also makes them less valuable if the plating is worn, at least in my view.
Clark G. Sherwood
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