 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2001-05-30 20:41
I have a clarinet that was given to me by my Grandfather as a young girl. I played this clarinet for 8 yrs. It has been with me ever since. I am looking for information about this instrument, if anyone can help. There are several markings on my clarinet. There are two sets of what look like the same "initials". The letter "B" over the letters "LP". Under that it says "France", and then there is a ribbon underneath that, which has something printed inside it (unreadable). Under that in an oval, it says "M. DUPONT" over the word "Paris". I would like any information about this instrument I can get. It is a wooden clarinet, and I was told by my Grandfather that it had sterling silver keys. The keys tarnish and turn green, as if they are silver. I was once offered $15 for this instrument by a music store, but it is worth more to me in sentimental value. If anyone has an idea what it is worth, I would appreciate that info also. Thanks so much! Stephanie
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-05-30 22:38
B = "Bb clarinet"
LP = "Low Pitch", which is the current A=440 standard (not the old high pitch HP standard of A=456 or so). So the clarinet should be usable in modern ensembles.
I believe M. Dupont was just the name used by an importer of French clarinets to the U.S., and it may be impossible to determine who actually manufactured the instrument. There were many small French instrument makers back then, as well as the remaining big ones we know today.
It's probably not worth much, unless it plays well for you, in which case it's valuable (to you). It was probably made prior to 1930 (because A440 was not an internationally-accepted "universal" pitch standard before 1930 or so).
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