 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2025-04-16 17:59
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Hi,
I wondered if I could possibly ask a quick question about the clarinet in the attached photos?
My son has a new hobby restoring clarinets, doing the labour for free while the owners pay for the parts. We have a pro repairer here who is happy to be paid for their time in return for giving him advice and training on how to do the work.
We advertised in our local community magazine and a lovely person brought this simple system clarinet along to be repaired.
We just wondered if you might know when it was made and who might have made it? The wood is really lovely.
It has no makers mark and no serial number and the tenons are lapped.
Thanks!
Sunny
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2025-04-16 22:17
I think it might be like this one from 1873.
https://collections.ed.ac.uk/mimed/search/0893
The Ab key on the top joint is different, but otherwise it is very similar.
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-04-17 06:47
Hi SunnyDaze,
Hopefully Chris will chime in. It looks a little older to me - salt spoon keys and all. Others will surely have more info for you though.
Through-key pins/screws for the springs.
It seems like I've seen that 90 degree register key before.
Looks like it has string at the tenons instead of cork?
Neat instrument!
Nice to see you again!
Warmest Regards,
Fuzzy
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2025-04-17 10:22
Hi Fuzzy,
Thanks so much for answering. It's great to see you again too. That's really good to know that they are called salt spoon keys. It does have string on the tenons. We took one off and it's incredibly easy to put it back on. Weirdly much easier than cork. LOL.
I've written to a specialist here who used to be the tech for the Sir Nicholas Shackleton Collection. I'm hoping he might have time to look at it.
I will report back if I find anything out.
Thanks!
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-04-17 17:58
I'm wondering if the barrel might be a replacement one as it doesn't have the same (and ultra heavyweight metal) socket rings as the bell and middle tenon which look like metal versions of ivory socket rings.
As for a definitive maker, then it could be anyone as there were loads of small makers up and down every country back then.
You can use modern leather pads with saltspoon pad cups provided you use plenty of shellac to fill in behind them to fully support the pads, or if you want to be more authentic, you could make your own pads.
The original pads would've been made from a large disc of leather with thread stitched around it to act as a drawstring to close it once it's been filled with whatever type of stuffing they'd have used (probably wool, cotton or kapok) and were often called 'purse pads' as they resemble a coin purse.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2025-04-17 21:46
Hi Chris,
Thank you very much for explaining. It did have some of those purse pads, as you say, and they completely filled the hemispherical cups. The stuffing was pure white. It's really helpful to know what they are.
I see what you mean about the barrel. Maybe that is why there is no maker's mark?
I wrote to my friend here who looked after the vintage clarinet collection, and he says it is definitely about 1875. He says that the maker was just experimenting with some newer technology, which is why it has some newer features.
We repadded the instrument completely today in new tan leather pads and it really sounds lovely.
We tried playing it with my own reed and ligature and the sound is beautiful and the notes sound fairly easily. It's only the few notes between middle B natural and the D above that are a bit tricky, but it plays up to A above the stave quite easily with a lovely pure sound.
Thank you very much for explaining about the origin.
Sunny.
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
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