 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tomw
Date: 2012-11-12 20:29
Attachment: $(KGrHqR,!roFCSgLd4d+BQlZLmCPvw~~60_57.JPG (378k)
Trying to find out a little about a clarinet I just bought. I'll attach a picture, but do not have it with me right now. I believe it's some variation of a Full Boehm clarinet. Never heard the brand name Merz before and can't find anything about it. Thought maybe someone could help. Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-12 20:47
That's not a true full Boehm - it's a German system with the RH and LH pinky keys arranged in Boehm system fashion and built to low Eb. The main action fingerings are as German system.
Not entirely sure why the RH finger 1 has a ring key as there's no articulared C#/G# mechanism from what I can see.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-11-12 20:52)
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Author: tomw
Date: 2012-11-13 15:30
Thanks for the information. I'll post some more pictures when i get an opportunity. do you have any idea why the A / G# are laid out like this.
Thanks
Tom
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-13 16:04
Post a photo of the lower joint ring keys and the C#/G# key so I can see what the RH finger 1 ring is linked to - it looks like there's a lever fitted which could close the C#/G# key when RH1 is closed (to give a B-C# or F#-G# trill), but I can't say for definite without seeing what's going on there.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tomw
Date: 2012-11-13 19:48
First thanks for all the help.
The clarinet is in the process of being shipped to me right now. As soon as i get it I'll post some more pictures. I'm currently out of town and will have to get my wife to take some pictures. So it might take a week or so to get them up.
Tom
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-11-13 19:52
As the proud owner of numerous old and really old clarinets of both flavors (Boehm and Oehler), I have to say that's one interesting hybrid you have there! Looking forward to your playing report.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2012-11-13 23:26
"...do you have any idea why the A / G# are laid out like this."
It's a typical layout for german clarinets of the C19 & early C20. You'll see it sometimes on french made Albert system horns too. I have an old Besson SimpleSystem that has it. It's often seen on old Kohlert horns too.
There isn't much info about T F Merz. Seems to have been a MI dealer in Markneukirchen. Founded in 1827. The company is listed in the Markneukirchen directory for 1929/1930 as located at Gartenstrasse #6. Merz' company had a dealer relationship with C A Zoebisch in the USA who imported MIs from Merz. Zoebisch was originally from Markneukirchen too, as were many others who came to the USA (including C F Martin who founded Martin Guitars...) No idea who actually made your instrument. Should be fun playing it though!
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2012-11-13 23:45
Sorry - slight brain fade
Merz was at Kirchstrasse #6 - I used to live at Gartenstrasse.....long ago & not in Markneukirchen.
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Author: tomw
Date: 2012-11-15 19:56
Attachment: Merz.jpeg (365k)
Attachment: photo.JPG (295k)
Attachment: photo(1).JPG (294k)
Attachment: photo(2).JPG (285k)
Attachment: photo(3).JPG (292k)
here's some updated pictures the clarinet is definitely longer than a Bb. once again i'm out of town and had to rely on my wife to take the pictures. so she did her best. i'll be able to get hand on in the beginning of Dec.
once again thanks to all for the help.
Tom
Post Edited (2012-11-15 19:58)
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Author: tomw
Date: 2012-12-28 21:22
Attachment: 100_3157.JPG (1255k)
Attachment: 100_3195.JPG (1172k)
Attachment: 100_3160.JPG (1972k)
Unfortunately I don't play, Just restore these beautiful things. My daughter plays Bb and Eb and apparently is not interested in this one.
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