 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-03 03:46
Attachment: Conn Elkhart.jpg (596k)
I never in a million years thought I'd be posting one of these topics. I am solidly in the "new" clarinet camp. However, I was just gifted this old clarinet.
Oddly, it IS an old Albert system BUT I am pretty sure that it is plastic. If it's as old as I think, that date would pre-date the invention of plastic (I think). It is NOT hard rubber.
So, is this thing worthy of a re-pad (re-build)? Or is this junk, better off on an end table?
It's a Conn, Elkhart Indiana serial number B54 - - - L ("L" for low pitch I think).
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-05-03 04:09
Looks to be in fair shape. Personally I'd repad it. Somewhere out there is a jazz player who would love it.
Tony F.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-05-03 04:38
I always wish these old instruments could show us where they've been, with whom, and (especially) play for us some of what they've played.
But I always wish the same kind of thing about old camera gear (show me the photos you've taken or participated in)- though that might be more dangerous, LOL.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2015-05-03 07:33
I love the old Conn simple system clarinets. I'm sure someone out there would love to have it one day. It's always nice to have a good instrument that won't break or crack as easily in the cold weather. The old Conns were usually really nice instruments.
I vote for saving it.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-03 18:19
So I take it that it was made in the 20s as plastic hit the consumer product level?
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-05-03 18:32
Conn offered "composition" clarinets in addition to ebonite in the early 20th century. This is quite probably one of them.
Being in low pitch with enhanced Albert key work and made when the Conn marque was applied only to professional-grade instruments, I'd elect to have it fixed up.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-05-03 19:24
Before the advent of modern plastics some makers made instruments using Bakelite, a thermosetting phenolic resin material. This might be one such.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-03 21:43
Yeah, I've always been confused by the term bakelite. Originally I thought bakelite was more like vulcanized rubber, but I have since run into bakelite jewelry collectors. Bakelite can come in all sorts of colors and is for the most part what we call plastic. It is however not as impact resistant as modern "high impact plastics."
............Paul Aviles
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2015-05-04 00:59
I like my clarinet lamp. And, it's a real conversation piece. I could have put many hours into restoring the old metal clarinet, but why? I would never given it much play. So, it is now shedding some light in my workroom!
Jerry
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-04 07:16
Hey, another question for you "old clarinet people" (ya know, those who know about old clarinets......not that you're old).
The side keys are set-up such that when you depress the third one up from the bottom, the second one goes down as well. Then when you depress the top one, both of the next two go down with that one. Is this correct key function for this system, or are the keys just "smushed" down?
............Paul Aviles
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2015-05-06 05:45
I think what you have there is a 14N 17-key/5 rings Albert from 1919. It is low pitch. The operation of the side keys (trill keys) you describe may or may not be correct. I've seen Conns of this vintage where pressing the top key also depressed the second key, but not seen any where the third key was also depressed. On some others they operate as on a Boehm clarinet. Yours is a bit unusual in that it has four side keys rather than two or three. The material looks like typical Conn plastic material of the period; it may well be bakelite (which can be quite brittle) Conns of this vintage are usually good playing horns - I'd vote for a refurb or passing it on to someone who plays early jazz.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-06 06:25
I'd say for sure that the keys are "German Silver." Even the ring on the bell polishes up great (unlike modern Buffets!).
Crazy thing is that ALL the parts are here and working to include the odd reverse spring under the "A" key. Nothing is frozen. The only reason I cannot play it, is that the leather pads are deteriorated beyond reason.
It will be a breeze to restore !!!
............Paul Aviles
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Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2015-05-06 10:37
Hi Paul,
I play an 1898 Conn simple system as my primary instrument. The trill keys on it operate independently EXCEPT for the topmost key (closest to the mouthpiece). When depressed half-way down, it opens up only the tone hole associated with that key (and opens it quite fully). However, when pressed all the way down, it opens itself AND the key below.
I only use the lower key, so I can't promise a reason behind the upper key opening itself and the next one. The keywork was definitely designed this way on my instrument though, so I'm sure there must have been a "good" reason at the time.
I have mine padded with leather pads, and have loved the results.
Cheers, and best of luck should you decide to have it overhauled! I ended up changing to simple system solely because I was supposed to demonstrate this newly overhauled old Conn to a university's clarinet studio. I fell in love with it, and never looked back.
Fuzzy
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2015-05-06 16:08
Hi Paul,
I have this same clarinet. Its serial Is B826--L. It was given to me by the wife of an old retired (expired) physician about 40 years ago.
I knew I would never play it - the hand spread for me was not for me at all. So rather than creating a lamp, I had it re-padded, etc. and purchased a glass enclosed wall case that I proudly display in my music room.
The instrument is in terrific shape for its age.
Gene
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-07 03:02
OR......
Maybe we could exchange it for a shiny new 100c !!!!
............Paul Aviles
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