 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-03-31 20:44
is there a listing of some sort somewhere that a person can match serial numbers to to see what brand/make of horn I have... original case ( poor cond ) with no markings..... and no maker/brand listed on it.... it is an ebonite horn....
got it from the daughter of the original owner....
54N B127833L
any help would be appreciated.....
thanks...
Mike
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-03-31 20:49
With just a serial number it's well-nigh impossible. A meker is pretty much required.
Then, considering most of the makers are out of business, it's sheer luck to be able to figure it out. Very seldom are any records kept when companies are dissolved - business records are normally lost or destroyed, never mind serial number records which are valueless (to other then us).
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-03-31 23:56
Looks like a Conn number B(b)xxxxL(low pitch) - maybe.
Just a guess from others I've seen, which, in this case, is worth nothing.
Going beyond that, Mike, what's its condition?
- ron b -
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-01 07:39
other then needing a good cleaning and a overhaul.... (pads and corks and one leaf spring) oh ya, smell (mustty) it is all original parts( best I can tell ) colour is not black, but yet not really brown... has a bit of a brown ting to it case poor shape, no supports in it any more, just a box, that did have a locking center catch and two bale type latches also. handle is gone. all the pads are there none in usible shape, and the one cork missing has been done in a dental floss, others are so dry, that the joints dont even fit anymore.....
just thought it would be fun to have these era instruments.
Mike
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-01 12:50
It would still be fun to fix up and play just for fun, in my opinion.
I suspect from your description of the color, that this instrument is one of the ones made from hard rubber. They will tend to change color from black to brown as they age especially if exposed to much heat or light. Look inside the instrument. If the inside is black but the outside has developed this brownish tinge, then that is an indication that it is hard rubber.
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-01 13:18
Dee...
it is Ebonite ( or hard rubber ) would be nice if it was wood, but that is ok, it was a freebee..... and it hasnt turned green.... reminds me of some black coloured material starts to fade, starts by going auburn and some may go gray.. being hard rubber, that may be what kept it from getting broke.....
thanks for the help guys....
Mike
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-04-02 17:21
Well, if it were me, Mike, (and of course it isn't :]) I'd fix the horn up and play it. It's a pretty good bet the 'L' in the serial number indicates low pitch so you'd be all right in that respect.
If you do the work yourself you'll save money and have something interesting to show for your trouble. I've played Alberts since the middle of last century 
They're fun to fool around with, if only just for the 'working knowledge'. Even if you never get really serious about it, it's a nice 'piece of history'.
Oh, yeah... you might wanta consider doing the case too if it's interesting/unusual enough and you can get rid of the musty smell (soap and lukewarm water should take care of the horn's hygiene) - otherwise, you can pick up a decent old case for not too much.
- ron b -
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