The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

RE: Guiness Record for Eefer Playing

Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-12 22:10

Bill wrote:
>
> Here's another one (same seller), where the clarinet was
> allegedly made from a surplus WW II airplane propeller, and may
> be the most beautiful clarinet you've ever seen. Is this for
> real?
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1415219676
>
> It was sold in a subsequent auction.

This is one of the many myths that somehow managed to arise around Conn's experiment of building their student line Pan American clarinets out of laminated wood billets. Another error often seen is that they are "made of rosewood with a beautiful grain." The so-called grain is merely the effect of cutting across the laminations when they made the clarinet.

Conn did not continue the experiment for very long as their lamination technology was not up to the task. Enough of these clarinets split between the layers that it was causing significant harm to Conn's reputation so they stopped making this version.

If it were not for the unusual beauty of these specimens, they would not be worth much as Pan Americans, in general, were not particularly good instruments. The ordinary Pan Americas will seldom bring any more than $30. These laminated ones are nice for display and as a piece of clarinet history but I wouldn't want to play one on any kind of regular basis. They do however have some value to people because of their beauty, history, and that they are somewhat uncommon. Typically I see them go for around $300 on eBay these days.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics