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Re: 1934 clarinet

Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-12-02 01:42

David said, "As for cracks, they are neither fatal nor a big deal. All cracks can be repaired, (...)"

I inherited a Buffet C clarinet. It would probably date back to at least the 1930's - I don't see a serial number. It's somewhat worn and evidently was played a lot. It looks like cracks were pinned in both the top and bottom joints, one each, I think. It needs some corks and pads, a good cleaning and oiling, maybe what David calls a proper restoration.

I've never tried to play this instrument. Some years ago I showed it to my local tech. He thought the upper joint crack might need to be reworked and that while it could be made playable, it would never be as good as it probably once was. I wonder.

What do good restorations cost? I live a ways from any more advanced techs. I also have little pressing need for a C clarinet: there's no orchestra openings around here, and anyway I'd be comfortable transposing most things. But if it were playable I'd practice on it, play some violin or piano music perhaps. Or I might sell it.

In the same shabby old case is a Buffet A clarinet presumably of the same vintage, but I don't see any cracks in it. I have a working Buffet A I use already, so I can't say I need that one.

And since I wouldn't be me if I didn't ramble on, I also inherited an old boxwood clarinet, probably in C, that says Metzler London on the parts. It had 5 keys, but one (I think for the right pinky) is missing. It consists of three main sections, plus barrel, bell, and mpc. The sections look basically intact, but in addition to a replacement key it needs whatever passed for corks back then; in fact the top two joints are frozen together. The mouthpiece needs to be replaced too; it looks like moisture rotted away the lower facing. It would need smaller reeds.

Needless to say, I have vanishingly little need for an instrument like the Metzler. But I'm curious as to what it might cost to restore it, and also what it might be worth to a period instrument player, either as is or fully restored. If I happen to die as owner, it will probably get trashed.

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