 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-10 14:53
Hi there good folks,
I have just purchased 2 Evette & Schaeffers from the States from eBay. One with a serial #459, and the other #1920. The seller wasn't sure if these numbers were school or manufacturer numbers. Despite searching through many posts and web-sites, I can't seem to locate any info relating to either of them.
If anyone could shed some light or direct me to info., that would be awesome thanks as I sold my Crampon nearly 20 years ago, so I'm real excited about getting my hands on these 2 beauties
Will attempt to add the eBay page. Ok, so they need heaps of loving restoration,,, bring it on.
Cheers,
Robyn.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-R13-Vintage-Evette-Schaeffer-Buffet-Crampon-France-Clarinet-Chederville-/281837719968?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=oH1wHwwgiL62QKt9x%252FaiV4im6Kk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-11-10 21:53
Hi, Robyn:
When you receive the instruments, you'll know for sure what the serial numbers are and can post them here. After you go through the process of oiling the wood, the numbers and other inscriptions may become easier to read once the wood has eased back from a dried-out state.
Looks like you did OK price-wise on this lot. Tenon ends show some wear, and to me that's a good sign--somebody liked these clarinets enough to play them extensively. I was disappointed to note that the vintage Chedeville mouthpiece has a chipped tip rail.
Having purchased several vintage clarinets and then having them restored, the anticipation of finally playing the finished product is maddening and joyous all at the same time. I hope these are keepers!
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-11 01:52
Thanks so much for your reply Greg, your input is much appreciated.
The only clarinet I ever owned was the Buffet Crampon, and that was from 1980 - 1995,,, so long time ago, and I only had the basic experience of maintenance. I've sent an e-mail to Doc's to see if they ship to Australia since from the feedback I've read on here they pretty much have the best products.
As per the Chedeville mouthpiece, I'm not too disappointed. I had looked on eBay and there was one selling for not much less than what I paid for the 2 clarinets and mouthpiece, so to me it's kind of a bonus as I only had the wooden mouthpiece before. I've also ordered a cheap clear mouthpiece just to note the difference, pardon the pun
I'm so looking forward to their delivery as they arrived at the Brisbane Airport yesterday,,, would have been great for my birthday last Friday, but hey,,, the anticipation is a treat.
I'll check the serial numbers when they do arrive and re-post with an update.
Thanks once again and blessings to you and yours,
Robyn.
Post Edited (2015-11-11 02:01)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-11-11 04:06
Robyn, I use Bore Doctor from The Doctor's Products and it gets my top recommendation. It's actually pretty amazing to see old dried out wood ease back into as-new condition with repeated use of this product. My favourite wooden clarinet is from the 1950s and regular use of Bore Doctor has really made a difference in the condition of the wood as well as the performance of the instrument.
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-11 06:13
Thanks for the thumbs-up on the Doc's bore oil Greg as I've read many good reports about it. I'm hoping to be able to get a hold of some as well as a couple of the other products they sell.
Well, my new babies arrived about an hour ago. The serial numbers are as the seller advised: #459 and #1920. Oh boy, do they need some tlc, lol. Alot of loose keys, pads and cork need re-doing of course, and in need of a total clean-up.
Haven't played for about 20 years, but could still run up and down, except top register was squeaky in places. Could only play the one due to the missing cork on the other, and couldn't interchange because of the different sizes. Still, was great to get a feel for it after all this time.
I'm so new to this that I don't even know what the keys are made out of and how to bring the shiny life back into them as best as possible. Any advice would be great thanks.
Cheers,
Robyn.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-11-11 08:45
The keys look like unplated nickel-silver, also called German silver or Maillechort. You can clean them with a Selmer or Herco silver polishing cloth, or use a metal polish that is intended for nickel. You will be able to clean them and get them about as shiny as clean pewter. For a mirror finish, a technician's buffing wheel and specific polishing compounds are generally required.
A clarinet in need of a complete overhaul will have the keys cleaned and usually polished while disassembled. Some technicians charge extra for buffing unplated nickel keywork.
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-11 16:17
Thanks again Greg for the great info.
I did a search on the German Silver keys and there were some great tips and precautions I came across. Still waiting on a response from the e-mail I sent to the Doctor's Products. I'll do as much work myself as possible as I've already over-spent on the budget,,, ooopsie! The cases need a good clean up too,,, one of them is actually a Selmer case.
I'll post some pics in the next couple of days.
Cheers,
Robyn.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2015-11-11 23:45
The lack of a prefix suggests to me that these clarinets are much older than the seller believed -- probably from the 1930s or earlier. The fact that the G# throat keys do not have an adjusting screw confirms this to me. The style of the cases (rope handles) and the fact that the keys are (as Ursa points out) unplated "German silver" (aka "nickel silver") is also consistent with that age estimate, though I think such cases were still being made into the 1940s and such keywork still being used perhaps into the early 1950s. The seller probably used a serial number chart that doesn't correspond to these instruments to determine their age. It's a common error.
I have one of these E&S clarinets (no prefix, no adjusting screw) that I reconditioned a number of years ago. I hope yours turn out better than mine, which I consider about equivalent to an old student model. To be honest, I would not spend a lot of money on repairing them if you can't get them close to good playing condition on your own. On the other hand, if you can find a good mouthpiece maker/repairman/resurfacer, I would suggest you have him/her look at the Chedeville mouthpiece that came with the clarinets. While there are no guarantees, if it is repairable, (IMO) it might turn out to be worth more than the clarinets.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2015-11-12 04:04
Jack,
As always, your logic is excellent. The lack of a G# adjustment screw and the rope handles on the blue case are critical "tells" in dating these instruments.
While I've had some older E & S clarinets in the past, I never found one that could come close to a vintage LeBlanc or Selmer of the same era. While there is some sentimental value here, I'd echo your advice about not spending too much if you "can't get close to good playing conditions on your own."
Best,
HRL
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-12 17:33
Thanks for the intriguing history lesson and the info Jack,,, love a great story and will do my best to restore them for the love and respect of their history.
And I ditto about the mouthpiece as I've seen how pricey they can be,,, came across some great posts about them too
Cheers,
Robyn.
Post Edited (2015-11-12 17:35)
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Author: missrobyn007
Date: 2015-11-12 17:45
Hi Jack and thanks for your reply.
To tell you the truth, I'm such a novice and admit I should have done more research b4 buying. Having owned a Buffet Crampon previously, I remembered really liking the tone,,, well, it made me sound pretty good for the few years that I played the most which was in High School From what I've read for the most part, the Evette & Schaeffer is supposed to be a higher quality/better sounding clarinet. I;ll give it my best with the restoration and hope for 2 clarinets which are a joy to play.
Cheers,
Robyn.
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