 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2012-11-18 23:06
I had heard all the positive reviews (on this Board and others all over the internet) on the Monopole Conservatoire (henceforward "MC") clarinets, but never had the chance to try one out. So, I waited patiently and picked one up from the evil auction site a couple of months back (for a surprisingly reasonable price). The horn just came back from my trusted tech, Jeremy Soule ("The Vintage Clarinet Doctor")....All I can say is "WOW"!!
It's has amazing tone, solid intonation, and is delightfully free-blowing. The horn is extremely well-built, and has a nice wide bore. The keywork is comfortable, and it has a few unique features -- like a VERY long throat G# key (which is such a great idea) and an extra ring for the LH ring finger -- that make for some pretty terrific ergonomics.
Overall, even though I've been quite dedicated to my "Golden Era" vintage R-13 for decades, the MC is a definite consideration and challenger for my lead instrument. Yes, that's right, although it has a different feel, I feel that the MC is every bit as good as an R-13. (Oh, and by the way, the total cost of purchase and refurb was substantially less than the price of an R-13).
Anyone else have this experience with these horns?
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2012-11-18 23:25
If you really want to experience an outstanding instrument try the late K Series and early L Series Selmer Bb big bore clarinets.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-11-18 23:56
> Anyone else have this experience with these horns?
My refacer-of-choice seems to be quite fond of these instruments.
Being an off-the-beaten-paths instrument aficionado myself, I'm glad to hear that some of these old clunkers prove to be playworthy!
Now that you mention it, a CMC is missing in my collection, hmmm...
--
Ben
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2012-11-19 01:23
Try to get in touch w. Dave Spiegenthal.....I think he is the Couesnon-expert-in=residence on the board.
I can privately supply his email address to you.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-11-19 11:36
Thanks for the referral, Dr. Allan! Someday perhaps I'll send a few "barrel patients" your way...
I'm hardly an expert on Couesnons (or anything else), over the years I've restored maybe half a dozen of their "Monopole Conservatoires" Bb clarinets and three or four of their alto saxes in that same line. And being primarily a bass clarinetist, my soprano clarinet sensitivity level is not dialed as high as that of many of the posters on this BB; so my very favorable opinion of the quality of these clarinets may be overstated a bit. All I can say is that I like them a lot, prefer them to most of the Buffets I've tried, and prefer them to the couple of Selmer K-series and Centered Tone clarinets I've restored in the past.
Some of them have neat features such as a 6th ring and/or rollers for two of the r.h. pinky spatulas, but many just have standard keywork. I didn't notice any differences in playing qualities between the model variations.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-19 13:40
I've seen a single piece body version with the LH3 ring and also a RH throat G-A trill key (which was removed). Although you can do a throat G-A trill by simply using the lower trill key anyway.
I rebuilt a regular one for a sax player who had it in unplayable condition as a result of a botched overhaul by a local butcher and he was going to buy a student Yamaha or E11. So I managed to get him to see he's got a much better clarinet than either of them, so it's better spending less money on a complete overhaul which brought it back to life instead of a new student level clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2012-11-19 14:29
Attachment: monopole.jpg (107k)
Thanks for your comments! I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds the Monopole Conservatoire to be a terrific instrument.
In fact, here's a photo....I feel a bit like a proud parent (although the horn itself is quite a bit older than I am!)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-11-19 18:01
Nice looking horn! The key placement and profiling look very inviting to the hands...I'd love to sample one someday!
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