 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jbrickel
Date: 2014-04-13 02:13
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Hi, all! New to the forum. I am hoping you all can help me. My friend recently passed away and she left me her "C" clarinet. I am trying to determine its approximate age. The company is Couesnon & Cie. There aren't many other marking except for "France" at the joints and L.P. As well on the joints. I've noticed that "14" is stamped under the metalwork on the bottom part before the bell with what looks like a cursive L under that. Can anyone tell me how old the instrument might be?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-12 22:47
The markings 'C' and 'LP' mean it's a C clarinet and 'LP' meaning Low Pitch or 440Hz (as opposed to 'HP' which is High Pitch or 452Hz), so this clarinet is compatible with all modern instruments.
Here's some history of Couesnon: http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnCouesnon.htm
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2014-04-13 02:48)
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-04-12 23:24
So sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope you make a lot of wonderful music with her cherished C clarinet. It does look nice.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-04-13 04:02
looks like 1920s, give or take.
They stopped marking LP sometime in late 20s. Perhaps really early 30s, 31-32 latest(?).
Feature-wise Couesnon did not change much btw WWI and WWII. Here is Couesnon catalogue from 1912 https://plus.google.com/photos/104816800247472506645/albums/5886155219118890433?banner=pwa You will see the shared throat key and left pinky key posts, pin in hole, thumb rest with screws above and below, uncut C# tonehole..
Ideally you could look up mfg date by serial number, but unfortunately the factory burned sometime in 60s, so no information, at least official.
You could google around, and perhaps find some anecdotal serial # info.
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Author: Jbrickel
Date: 2014-04-13 06:50
Thank you. I cannot seem to locate a serial number. What do you suppose the "14" means?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-13 18:25
Mine hasn't got a serial number either - the 14 could be the keywork mounter's stamp. Looks like a Q as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-13 23:58
I wish I'd seen that forked Eb/Bb mechanism earlier, but I've already fitted mine with one anyway.
Mine originally had an L stamped on the back of the LH F#/C# lever but this got obliterated as I widened the touchpiece to make it round (copying Buffet's design on clarinets with the LH Ab/Eb lever) by soldering on more metal and filed the back to make it even.
Just out of curiosity, can the barrel be fitted either way up on this Couesnon? The top joint upper tenon is the same size as the mouthpiece tenon on mine and the barrel (and also the longer one I made) has exactly the same sized socket on both ends, so the barrel will fit upside down should you wish to do that.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jbrickel
Date: 2014-04-14 00:53
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I am not sure if the barrel is reversible. I will give it a try! I am completely fascinated with this instrument. It's beautiful. I'd like to clean up the keys a bit, but I don't want to ruin it. I'm sure I can find a restorer in the area.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-14 01:02
Find the best repairer you can and you can have all the keys cleaned up but not polished so the patina is preserved.
I only went over the top on mine as I wanted those extras that I'd otherwise miss, but I wouldn't advise anyone else to do that if they don't need to.
Did your friend play this clarinet in a church group reading the music straight from the hymn books? This is where a C clarinet would prove to be a very useful instrument.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jbrickel
Date: 2014-04-14 02:09
Honestly, I don't know. She's had it tucked away, and I know she'd use it from time to time. I plan on using at church, so that I don't have to transpose oboe parts when playing with the choir! I played it today. It plays very well. Needs a few new pads and springs, but overall it's in spectacular condition. And the barrel is reversible....however there is a small flare in barrel and it naturally looks better one way vs the other. It's truly a great instrument.
I do have an awesome repairer in the area. Comes highly recommended by other members of my band. No Polish, I just want the keys cleaned up a bit. I like the older look of it.
Post Edited (2014-04-14 02:12)
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