 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SpiritTalker
Date: 2014-10-15 23:01
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I purchased this clarinet for cheap. It has a disgusting aftermarket 50's case that is getting tossed out (it's rusty, dirty, ugly, and it's stench would make a bear run backwards in the woods.) It's an F Barbier, Paris, and seems pretty old judging from the research I've performed. It has a shared throat key post, slotted barrel keyguide, inline trill keys, flat spring under the g#/c# key, shared LH spatula key post, and pin lifter for them. The bell is the only thing marked. It has some sort of rubber barrel (63mm) that looks old, too, though not orig., and unmarked.
It's going to need the works done to it. Poor thing is BROWN because it's so dry. The keywork looks really nice, though, german nickel, and solid (though very tarnished, naturally.) The thumb rest is an old style, matching my 1920s Selmer so I'm guessing it's approx the same age?
So could Selmer (or "Selmer-controlled factory") had made this instrument? It has no indication of such (branding) OR do you think it might pre-date Selmer's buyout? It looks a little Couesnon to me, too, based on what I could find. I think it will clean up nicely and seems well made. No cracks (preliminary observation) though the lowest tenon joint edge is chipped off a little past the cork portion...I don't think it should affect the tone.
Any guesses on its age? There is a serial number on the top half. Bottom half has something inscribed, too, but can't quite make it out. It's a 4-digit starting with either 3 or 0 (hard to tell) though I can't find anything on serials for Barbiers so it's probably moot. Any guesses on maker based on keywork?
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Author: SpiritTalker
Date: 2014-10-15 23:04
Oh,and I forgot, the "A" stamped on the underneath of 2 of the keys, shown in the picture. Is it a maker/craftsman mark, do you think? I read that Buffet did this, at least.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-10-15 23:16
FWIW I recently restored an old F. Barbier clarinet in "A", my guess is 1930-ish vintage, it was nicely built and plays well.
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The Clarinet Pages
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