 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2023-06-23 00:23
I've seen many Selmer "Improved" Alberts in my life.
However, I've recently seen a batch of photos of George Lewis holding a clarinet (apparently a Selmer Improved) where the mouthpiece appears to be longer than usual, and the junction between mouthpiece and barrel appears to be either tapered or stepped - depending on the angle of the photo (not smooth - not of equal external diameter).
Specifically, these photos appear when I perform a search for George Lewis Barry Martyn.
Here's one such photo: Photo 1
Here's another: Photo 2
Hopefully these links display properly for you.
I'd be interested in thoughts/experience with the setup shown in the photos.
(I'm also guessing that the clarinet in these photos had been banded due to cracks?)
Thanks,
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: ghoulcaster
Date: 2023-06-23 05:31
That clarinet has been banded, and I do not think it’s an Improved albert, it is a standard 15 key model.
I suspect the phenomenon you are seeing is simply a vintage style adjustable barrel.
I’ve never tried one, a couple companies made them. I’ve seen people say they aren’t too good.
My Selmer Improved question relates to the ring for the third finger.
I assumed that on Selmers, it would be like the mechanism for Boehms where you can also get a good chalumeau Eb.
However, closely looking at pictures it just looks like only a clarion Bb like other enhanced Alberts and German clarinets, right?
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2023-06-23 07:54
I think the Albert clarinet has a shorter barrel like the German clarinets (and my Yamaha CSG). I think this makes the mouthpiece appear longer. It also appears to have what Vandoren would call a”standard” beak, rather than a slimmer (e.g., Profile 88) one.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2023-06-23 11:46
That is a tuneable barrel. I have several like it in my accumulation. Some of them are larger in diameter than the mouthpiece, hence the step.
Tony F.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2023-06-23 17:31
Thanks all! I have never seen this type of vintage adjustable barrel. Cool to see and learn about!
Tony - what is your opinion of how they work/fail?
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: tyleman
Date: 2023-08-12 09:52
ghoulcaster: It is a Selmer Improved Albert. There are other photos of it showing the whole instrument, and I knew the guy who sold it to George. I believe it's now owned by a gentleman in Japan.
Post Edited (2023-08-13 17:07)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-08-12 17:05
Selmer did make some barrels with a metal bore liner that extended into the top tenon end of the top joint on some of their older clarinets, just as you'd see on wooden flute or piccolo headjoints where the inside tube telescopes into the body tenon.
They look like normal barrels on the outside, though the metal tubing extending into the top joint bore created much less of a gap compared to a normal tenon and socket would do when the barrel is pulled out.
Although at first glance of the top joint bores on these clarinets is alarming given how wide the bore is at the top end of the top joint. Some of these have been filled in with a sleeve of sorts (wood, ebonite, metal or plastic) so a conventional barrel can be used.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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