 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Claireinet
Date: 2012-06-09 19:32
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I recently acquired an old "Andre Chabot" stencil clarinet from someone who said it might make a good lamp- they had no idea if it even played. Well, I decided to test it out before taking it as a junk instrument.
It does have some leaks but actually seems to have quite a nice sound! I have been doing a little research on stencil clarinets and realize that most likely I will never have any definitive answers on the instrument - but I do know there were comments about many stencils being low quality student instruments and this does not seem to be the case here.
It has a serial number of "A 26XXX" and is stamped "Made in France" on the top joint and "Andre Chabot" on the bell. I have found a couple of similar clarinets with similar serials and will post a link of that as well as some (bad) pictures of the actual clarinet in question - since there are a few things that are a little different between them.
From what I've seen it is possible some "Andre Chabot" clarinets were made by "Malerne". I have also heard comments about the somewhat large number of instruments that end up being attributed to Malerne. I did find some pictures of "Malerne" brand instruments and I think that some of the keywork style is a little similar, but I'm not sure if that is exclusive to the brand or if other manufacturers perhaps also had the same type of style.
Similarities in keywork that I think I see between the Malerne picture and the instrument in my possession:
-look and location of curvatures on the trill keys match
-on the lower joint: style/upward curve/turn of the attachment/soldering? of the top pad in line with the rings -does that make any sense?
- also the style/curvature of the soldering/attachment/arms areas (again I'm not really sure what the right terminology for this is) on lower joint low pads seems similar
So basically I'm wondering:
1. Any idea what the "A" at the start of the serial number might mean? It certainly seems to be a Bb clarinet.
2. Wondering if there is anyone that has studied vintage instruments and would have any insight into the key style of the instrument and if that might be indicative of who might have possibly made the instrument?
3. As with #2 - any telling about when the instrument might have been manufactured?
Ebay similar clarinet, slightly earlier serial (main difference I noticed being the curves on the upper joint trill keys): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Andre-Chabot-B-flat-Soprano-Clarinet-A22172-/400210799676
Picture of a Malerne clarinet: http://www.doctorsax.biz/malerne_1036.htm
Pictures of the actual instrument will be attached (I’m sorry they aren’t the greatest quality, and are perhaps a bit redundant)
I'm thinking if I can get the instrument fixed up (rid of the leaks) it might make a really nice gift for my young clarinetist cousin! I'm just sort of curious on what I might possibly find out about it's background- but as I said before I know it's possible that I will never know anything for certain about it.
Post Edited (2012-06-09 19:42)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2012-06-12 02:00
Separate posts for G#/A. Post 1945 (?) Leblanc-style raised tone hole for register key (good). "Up" position of first key cup on lower joint means (for me) less high quality.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
Post Edited (2012-06-12 02:05)
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