 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Tom
Date: 2001-01-06 17:30
I recently purchased a Buffet clarinet from a seller on e-bay. I thought I was doing a good thing buying it for my wife for christmas. Unfortunately when she went to a concert with her "new" buffet we were glad she brought her old one with her. This clarinet is s/n E604. It is in beautiful condition and has a wonderful sound. However we find that it is in a different key or something. I have consulted about every page on the net trying to figure out if i have a gem or a toad! As best as I can find out it is tuned to a high 440 versus teh current low a440. Can anyone tell me if there is a market for this instrument? I has wonderful sound and is in great condition for an instrument manufactured in 1890's!
Thanx for your anticipated input!!!
Tom
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-01-06 17:35
It is probably a High Pitched clarinet (A=456 or similar) instead of today's A=440 or A=442. Use a tuner to double check.
It's not of much use in today's bands or orchestras, unfortunately, since most are going to tune much closer to 440 or 442.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-06 18:20
As Mark has said, it is probably built to A=456. However it is entirely possible that it could be another standard. In 1890, there were several pitches in use around the world not just the 440 and 456 standards.
What are the markings on the instrument? It was at approximately this time that some makers started putting the letters HP or even the words "High Pitch" on instruments built to the A=456 standard.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-01-06 19:23
Tom -
Don't throw the instrument out if it's not a 'standard' pitch. There IS a market for them, a very limited market for sure but some people are still interested in them. Keep us posted, we may be able to steer you to someone if you decide not to keep it.
ron b
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom
Date: 2001-01-06 21:45
there is no significant markings on the clarinet, it is 1" shorter than the Evette we have..... Kinda interesting also has a slimmer barrel overall.....
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-01-06 23:27
..... I could swear I remember seeing a posting somewhere ... that somebody was playing with converting an HP clarinet to A=440 or 442. This is the first I had heard of this. Anybody else recall who or where it was posted ... ? (was it Tony Pay?) mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2001-01-07 05:20
If its 1" shorter than an Evette, and with Boehm keys, it may be in the key of C rather than an old HP Bb. How old is this Buffet?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom
Date: 2001-01-07 06:56
Willie: According to the serial number and the buffet home page it appears to be manufactured in the 1890's. It is Bohem style fingering with an over the top octave key.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-01-07 20:33
Tom -
I'm looking for the info I promised you. In the meantime - yeah, I was thinking about that too, Willie - after I eMailed you, Tom. It might be a C clarinet. A high pitched horn usually isn't *that* much, 1", shorter.
Is there any way, an in-tune piano, another Bb horn, that you can check it with?
I know, your wife 'checked' it when she played with a group but, did she question whether it's in C ?
ron b
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom
Date: 2001-01-07 21:46
Ron at this point I am not real sure I am going to explore it a bit more and see what I can fine odut I will get back to you all on this.
Thanx to all for your interest!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-08 16:49
Tom -
My assembled low pitch Bb Buffet (without the mouthpiece) is a shade under 23-1/2" long. The barrel is about 2-1/2" long.
My low pitch C buffet is 20-5/16" long, with a barrel 1-15/16" long.
Anything in between will be a Bb in high pitch instrument (A = 456) and will probably have the letters "H.P." stamped above or below the trademark on the upper joint and bell.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Gross
Date: 2001-01-08 20:13
Tom,
You never did say what a "high A440" was? Did you first set your tuner to A440? If so, just how "sharp" was the horn? Did it register 20+ cents sharp or indicate that you were playing a completely note like C or C# instead of B natural. I seem to be missing a few pieces of the puzzle. If it is a C clarinet, hang onto it. You'll be glad you did for orchestral music that specifically calls for the timbre of the C. Plus you can play duets with all the other instruments pitched in C like oboes and flutes. AND, you can always sub if the flute player or the oboist doesn't show for a rehearsal.
Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
