 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TwelveLeggedCat
Date: 2015-06-01 01:56
I bought a clarinet at a flea market today, and I'd like to know more about it. I can't really find anything 'cause it's french, and I can't read it well, still learning. There are markings on the bell, and this is what it says.
Expositions regionales
MAI 1927 JUIN
GRAND PRIX
Qualite Soliste
Siour Robert Paris
Everything is the original it came with, but the mouth piece is a little chipped at the top. From what I can tell it was made in France, but it doesn't really take a genius to figure that out :p I may have gotten some things wrong there, but that's the best I can do to help. I'm pretty interested. How much would it be worth? Should I fix it up? Am I even posting in the right place? No clue.
EDIT: On the upper tube it shows another symbol saying Siour Robert Paris again, and below that it says BTÉ S.G D G
Post Edited (2015-06-01 02:16)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-06-01 05:46
Nothing found in Langwill. You're posting in a very good place, there's a lot of knowledge here. There may be better places, perhaps someone can advise?
Tony F.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-01 06:49
Grand Prix was one of many model names used by Martin Freres.
If you are able to produce some tones on this clarinet, check the tuning to ensure that it's a Low Pitch instrument before considering repairs.
Value? These are not valuable instruments and I hope you didn't pay much more than $50 or so for it. You will not be able to recover the cost of an overhaul if you fix it up and then decide to resell it later--it you undertake repairs, do so only because you plan on keeping the clarinet for your own use.
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Author: 4accord
Date: 2015-06-01 07:31
Seems there is some info available - made between 1917 and 1927. Check this link to a helpful post in 2012 by Ken Shaw:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Clarinet-2214/2012/7/clarinet-age-value-1.htm
I see one currently on eBay asking $225, but I doubt he'll get that, and another one closed with no bidders recently at $149. I also see a current Siour Chapelain listing (I assume just a different model) - rough shape asking $99. What people ask and what they sell for are often (usually) far apart, so I always check recent closing prices - no bids on two recent listings for Chapelains at $75 and $695 (LOL).
So, unless it's an Albert, or it has some unusual key work, or there's something to really set it apart, I would conclude it's just another one of those long-ago brands that are around in some numbers but don't attract a lot of interest. At least it's not a stencil - seems there really was a Siour maker in France.
The value is not high but it might (emphasize might) be a good player - you would have to get it padded and corked, along with a good mouthpiece, to know. The cost of a professional overhaul is going to be out of range, in terms of cost effectiveness, but (and here's the very good news) it is SO easy to cork and pad a clarinet. Learn to do it yourself. I did - just watched a few youtubes, and there really isn't that much to it - assuming nothing is broken, cracked, or missing. Well, don't let me mislead anyone - it can be a royal pain to get some of those screws out after a century of corrosion and gunked up oil. But, truly, for anyone interested in those moldy oldies, you have to learn to do it yourself, and sometimes they will really surprise you in wonderful ways. Bonne chance!
Post Edited (2015-06-01 07:36)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-06-01 08:21
Robert was a respected oboe and clarinet maker in the early 1900s, a main competitor to Loree for oboes. Is this made by Robert?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-06-01 11:54
Several yars ago I restored a clarinet by Alexandre Robert of Paris. It was a 17/6 Boehm and proved to be a very good player, tuning very well with a Selmer HS*. I think I put some photos of it on here.
Tony F.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2015-06-01 16:53
>Grand Prix was one of many model names used by Martin Freres.>
That's true, but the Martin Frères student models didn't have all that other information on them. (I'm familiar with those student models because they're commonplace and they show up a lot at flea markets and in junktiques stores. Also, I have old Martin Frères catalogues.) I don't think this is a Martin Freres clarinet. See the answers by Tony F. and Wes just above mine -- I think they've got the right identification.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
Post Edited (2015-06-01 16:55)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-06-01 19:05
After further consideration, I'm inclined to agree that this is probably a Robert creation. As Lelia pointed out, Martin Freres products aren't commonly found with the inscriptions described above.
Though I was referring above to 1940s and 50s Martin Freres trade adverts which pitched the Grand Prix as an upscale model, the current Martin Freres website lists a Grand Prix sub-brand used into the 1920s on professional instruments. But...they also list the LaMonte as an intermediate, even though they were bargain-basement instruments.
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