 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2019-01-29 05:04
In 1996 I bought a PM "Brilliante" and less than a year later sold it. It weighed less than any other Bb clarinet I had ever held in my hand, and the key work seemed like costume jewelry. It was too "thick" and hopelessly ill positioned and sluggish. A horror.
But a horror with a genuine alligator case, and an adjusting "screw driver" (proper term?) that came with it standard, and which I still use today. I went on a camping trip to Green Ridge State Forest in northern Maryland and clutched the case as we drove down a 60-degree angle dirt road dropping down to the meandering Potomac. Later, as a fire was starting over which we'd cook our supper of peanut-encrusted chicken, I played a few etudes sitting at a picnic bench. I used a Selmer crystal mouthpiece made in Italy. A bee stung me on the lip. Somehow, this is a cherished memory.
I had a brief correspondence with Lisa Mueller-Gannon, a relative of the maker.
So I bought another Penzel Mueller and it arrived in the mail today. Identical scenario. This one is an "Artist" model with a 17xxx serial number that Molloy (remember him?) assures me is the very best era PM made. Register key sticks. Side G# sticks. I know who did the restoration work and he is good. It's not the tech's fault.
Yet I am bizarrely, inexplicably happy to own a PM clarinet again. I can explain precisely why I love a 19xxx series Buffet or an L- or M-series Selmer or an early 1950s Leblanc. The PM thing is entirely subjective.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Reedman1908
Date: 2019-01-30 03:22
I have a PM “Brilliante” Eb clarinet circa late 40’s that performs quite well mechanically as well as intonation. Silver plated keys. Had it professionally overhauled. Performed on Eb with 140 piece ACB Convention band last year in Buffalo with acclaim. Count me in as a PM fan! On Bb, I love Selmer Series 9 jazz and 9*for wind ensemble and wwquintet, Selmer early 80’s BC.
Don
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Author: Bill
Date: 2019-01-30 07:51
Played her tonight and she's sounding a LOT better. Rather foolish of me to make a judgment on the day it was shipped (in very cold weather)! Key work is responding better.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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