 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ziggi
Date: 2015-08-01 03:05
Hello all,
I'm hoping for your guidance, I know nothing about these things. I have an old clarinet I picked up at the thrift store and I am wondering whether it's worth repairing. I haven't played since I was in school many years ago and would like to learn again.
I took it in to a repair shop and the guy there said around $300 at least to fix it up. It needs new pads and a new key (the bottom E (I think!!) he said he'd have to make one). It's also missing the mouthpiece.
It's what I think is called the German style clarinet fingering, with the roller pads on the left and right. That probably makes it not ideal for re-learning on I guess because of the different fingering? It has a serial number but I didn't have any luck finding it online to see the age. The guy in the store said it's wooden and it's brown/rose colored.
If the make is a good one and it's worth fixing up then I will do it, otherwise I'm thinking I will look out for another used one that is in playable condition.
These are the markings:
Serial No: 11233
Top: Class A, Besson & Co. London (picture of a star)
Bottom: Besson & Co. London (picture of a star)
Bell: DOLCE, Besson & Co. [1]98 Euston Road, London, England (picture of a star)
Thanks a lot in advance for your help!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-01 04:08
Besson Class A instruments were good instruments in their day - this is more likely an Albert/simple system clarinet which has pretty much the same fingerings as most German system clarinets (or vice versa).
The only problem is it may be High Pitch so it's built to 452Hz as opposed to Low Pitch that's used today which is 440Hz, so it may not be compatible with modern instruments built to play at 440Hz.
You should seek advice from a clarinet teacher or player to be certain as taking into consideration you haven't played for a while, you may be playing flat while you get your chops back into condition so it may appear to be Low Pitch, so best to get someone who's been playing regularly to check the tuning on it.
While the fingerings are different, the notes (in the lower register) will have the same fingerings as Boehm systems: Low E, F, F# (using the LH levers), G, Ab, A, C, C#, D, E, G, G#, A and throat Bb. Upper register B, C, C# (using the LH levers again), D, Eb, E, G, G#, A, B.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-08-01 11:42
If your main concern is learning clarinet (again), I'd say it would be better to find a used Vito for around $400 (about the lowest entry price today). These are excellent plastic clarinets with good intonation and are Boehm system. That is important for two reasons. ONE: you started on this and TWO: teachers will know how to teach it (not easy to find anyone who knows "old system" today).
I'd say the old clarinet is a good "project" or re-sale piece for a collector but not a practical instrument for just "kickin' around" on a clarinet.
.............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-08-01 16:30
This clarinet would make a better conversation piece or wall hanging than an instrument to relearn on.
Steve Ocone
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ziggi
Date: 2015-08-01 20:43
Thank you, all for your replies. You were right, it does seem to be a High Pitch instrument so I don't think I will do the repairs. I will look out for another used playable clarinet before I delve back in!
Thanks again.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
