 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jemima
Date: 2024-01-07 06:17
Hello,
I have recently been given a lovely wooden clarinet however the previous owner and I are unable to determine how old it is and who made it/brand. It seems to have had a plaque on the bell at some point but it is no longer there and the only other markings found are on the mouth piece which say " FRANCE", "X3" and two other words in French which i am unable to make out.
For more information it is thought that the previous player had the clarinet around the 60's but this is just a rough guess.
Would be greatly appreciated if anyone had any information regarding this instrument
I have also attached an image for reference
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2024-01-07 06:50
Could you post some photos? Otherwise it's just guessing.
Tony F.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2024-01-07 07:15
Jemima,
If you have any pictures, start another posting and click on "Add Attachments". Then click on where your pictures are stored. When you find the picture that you want, right click on it and then left click on "Select". Please keep in mind that the maximum pixel count for each picture is limited to 2 MB.
I hope this helps you get your pictures posted so that the members on this BB can help you.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2024-01-07 09:41
Attachment: Noblet X3 1960.jpg (73k)
Attachment: Paul Dupre X3-1.jpg (460k)
Attachment: Paul Dupre X3-2.jpg (518k)
Attachment: Riffault X3.jpg (101k)
Jemima,
I used my internet search engine and typed in: "X3 clarinet mouthpiece".
The mouthpiece is either a Noblet X3, a Paul Dupre X3, or a Riffault X3. The X3 has reference to the tip opening and is listed for the Riffault as being 1.0mm. If it is a Riffault, then this mouthpiece has a reputation of being made of high quality rubber.
All of this, of course, has no bearing on what brand and model of clarinet that you have. Have you inspected the clarinet body closely with a magnifying glass? Some things can be written or stamped so faintly that only a magnified, very close inspection has the possibility of revealing anything meaningful.
Sorry I can't help you further.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-01-08 02:33
Can you post a picture of the lower 4 pinkey keys? possibly taken from below - we need to see if there is a cut-out in the wood for the F/C craw foot;
also maybe you can take a picture of the lower part of the F#/C# key, showing the spring.
The clarinet looks very similar to a Buffet R13- if you post more close-up pictures, someone here may be able to help.
I also have a clue why someone would remove the logos from the wood but I'd like to see the pictures first.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2024-01-08 08:35
Every clarinet looks like an R-13 to many people.
The slotted barrel guide is a thinner type, not R-13 like. More Malerne (and other makers) if you want to compare them.
The F#/C# key spring does appear to have a body cutout for it but both Malernes and Buffets have that.
you'll have to provide many more close up images around the clarinet to give certain identifiers. For instance, is the upper pad cup on the lower joint ring keys, is the arm curve up at all? (a good identifier of a Malerne).
It also looks like the lower joint F/C, E/B toneholes had inserts installed for some reason or I'm just seeing things which could just be the opposite tonehole wall I'm seeing now.
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2024-01-08 08:48)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2024-01-08 10:58
From what is possible to see in the photo it looks mostly like a non-Buffet French clarinet, possibly a Malerne, but it's not definite.
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2024-01-09 14:23
It is beyond me why anyone would scrape off an identifying mark on a good clarinet, unless it was unesthetic, is that possible ? I can't remember ever having seen a shield-shaped badge like that. My vintage R13 has nothing like that on the bell and the metal binding looks different (although I'd need to see a straight on side view to be positive). The wood of the different segments seems coherent. My R13 also has the Buffet Crampon logo stamped on the upper joint and an even more visible serial number on the back of both joints.
When you mention that it's a "lovely" clarinet, do you mean how you feel when you play it or just appearance-wise? I have way too many vintage clarinets, some of which look like nothing much, because I am continually amazed at how well some of these instruments play and their unique voices. How it sounds and handles are what count, and worth all the more as it was gifted to you.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2024-01-09 16:42
You'd come across many clarinets that do not have any identifiers on them.
These are usually stencil clarinets.
You'd also come across the Buffet E-11 with the foil emblems all worn off and you have to identify them via the key touches and plastic toneholes amongst other identifiers.
I've also come across some Buffet clarinets where the E-11 or C-12 stamp was polished off ... and tried to be sold/identified as an R-13 to profit off of a flip sale.
There are many clarinets that have had metal badges in the past. Just check out the Conn 444, Selmer UK, etc.
But that outline does not even look straight, so I wouldn't think it was original. Maybe it was just something taped on it. Without the emblem itself, who knows what it is as that would be a gigantic emblem ??
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2024-01-09 16:43)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-01-09 19:33
Back in the days of Soviet Union (and then in Russia), it was almost impossible to take an instrument abroad if you were moving out of the country permanently.
Musical instruments needed to be inspected by an "expert" at the Ministry of Culture and only instruments that had absolutely no value (musical or historical) were allowed to be taken out of the country.
Musicians who were immigrating, invented many ways to beat the system, from removal of logos to printing fake labels and gluing them over the original luthier label. Of course, bribing the expert worked too.
Post Edited (2024-01-09 19:34)
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