The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: krawiea
Date: 2011-11-30 16:52

Hi Forum,

Forgive any blunders as I am not a musician, never mind a clarinetist! I picked up a partial clarinet at a fleamarket today.

I think it is missing the mouthpiece and next small section. The next two sections are C. Mahillon, the shorter section just marked C Mahillon Bruxelles between stars, and the next C. Mahillon Bruxelles Systeme Pupeschi Brevette SGDG 369. The bell is marked JTL Hors Concours Paris 1878 1899 1900 1eme Q? Jerome Thibouxville-Lamy A G????? Paris.

Any info or links to images and descriptions and history gratefully received. Date of the trumpet is obviously post 1900.

It appears to be ebony, or at least a black wood. Hard to tell for sure. the keys are probably brass, silvered(?)

The condition of the components is not perfect. The pads are disintegrating, the cork(?) sleeves missing.

Has it any value, even in it's partial state - spare parts?

Thanks in advance

Andy

Reply To Message

Re: C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-12-01 06:14

Well, I'd say there may be some collector's value, as the Pupeschi system is somewhat unusual. Replacing pads and corks is no big deal really, what' weighs more is whether or not the instrument is high-pitched (A=452ish) or not, which would limit its use in a contemporary orchestra.

For us curious minds who like to stare at clarinets all day, can you post some pictures of your catch?

--
Ben

Reply To Message

Re: C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: krawiea
Date: 2011-12-01 13:12
Attachment: Brussels 2011-12-01 Carpet and clarinet 033.JPG (674k)
Attachment: Brussels 2011-12-01 Carpet and clarinet 032.JPG (691k)
Attachment: Brussels 2011-12-01 Carpet and clarinet 037.JPG (827k)

Hi Ben,

Thanks for your interest.

I don't have the best camera for closeups so the shots I tried to take of the marks are poor but I am attaching 3 of the configuration which may help. It is quite conceivable that the smaller piece is upside down, so non-existent is my understanding!

have a look anyway. they were beautifully made things. I bought the pieces for a few euros thinking that, if they were of no use, I might use the wood. I think it is ebony but sometimes it's hard to tell as stained mahogany or other closer grained woods are used to simulate ebony.

Any info or pointers welcome

Cheers

Andy

Reply To Message

Re: C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-12-01 13:33

I restored a Pupeschi system clarinet last year, took me a while to figure out how it was supposed to work (even had to look at the patent illustrated for the special keywork) but it was pretty cool when it was back together and working. Not sure how much utility the Pupeschi stuff added, but it was ingenious.

Reply To Message

Re: C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-01 13:46

It's a simple system clarinet but the C#/G# touchpiece has been dispensed with - the articulated C#/G# (connected directly to the RH1 ring) is now activated by either of the LH levers, so leaps from C#/G# to F#/C# or E/B can be done without sliding your LH pinky.

It's made of grenadilla/African blackwood/mpingo (Dalbergia melanoxylon) and the keys are made from unplated nickel (or German) silver.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2011-12-01 13:49)

Reply To Message

Re: C.Mahillon clarinet - help wanted

Author: krawiea
Date: 2011-12-05 12:12

Thanks to all who replied. Most interesting. Especially the bits I understood...:0)
Andy

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.