 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: 7
Date: 2001-08-12 01:25
1) It's wood. All of it. Mouthpiece included.
2) The keys are very different. I didn't have much time to look at it fully because the shop was closing and I was behing shown the door.. but a few things I noticed (I'm sorry, I don't know if all the keys have a name so I'll say which ones by what finger goes where)
The area where yoy place your left index finger.. it's just a hole. It's different then my clarinet.
I think where your left little finger goes (like I said,. I was being rushed out the door).. just two keys formed together to shape an oval with a funny wood insert (bead like) that rolls.
Far less keys then a normal clarinet.
3) No name/number anywhere an the thing.
4) The case said "king" but I don't know if is the case that came with the clarinet.
The thing is in pretty good shape. Even the pads looked good. No cracks, chips, nothing. It could use a cleaning though.
From that shotty description, anyone have an idea of what kind of clarinet this is? Of course not brand, but style. It's kind of odd. I'm going back up there on monday to take another look. Anything I should look for?
I'm going to dig around the internet and see if I can happen on a photo of what it looked like.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 7
Date: 2001-08-12 01:29
Ok.. I just figured it out. It's a 14 key clarinet.
Who would have known. (being new to this whole clarinet thing and all)
:)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Josh
Date: 2001-08-12 07:51
More than likely, sounds like you came across an old Albert System horn...and the little "bead like" things you described are called rollers. (Saxes and bassoons and flutes also have them.) It's a system that isn't really used too much in America anymore (although I do believe they're still somewhat popular among New Orleans jazz players...)
Have fun when y'go back to check it out
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-12 14:31
I believe that one of the "standardized" Albert-Muller clarinets of the late 1800-early 1900's was known as the "13 keyed cl". I have several, the more advanced had 2 rings on each joint, another has 2 rings only on the LJ, also some diff.s in the low F/C pad mechanisms. There are prob. some oldies pictured in EBAY offers and museum sites to help. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-12 23:04
If you're considering buying it to play, 7, you should be on the alert to two basic things...
First:
you'll need to determine whether it's a low pitch or a high pitch instrument. Low pitch, the present day international A-440, is what you want. Many old horns are marked, usually near the makers mark, LP for low pitch or HP for high pitch. A high pitch instrument will play about a quarter tone sharp (A-458 or so) and will have profoundly bad intonation if you try to lower it enough by pulling joints out - totally unsuitable for ensemble playing with modern instruments. Don't go by measurement (length) because bore differences make that a very unreliable method. If it's not marked, and you're not blessed with perfect pitch, you'll need a tuner of some kind to test it. If all the pads are shot and you can fit a playable mouthpiece to it, you can test an open G.
Second:
if you're going to become a proficient player you'll want to look for a patent C# mechanism. You can check this out by noting whether it has one or two pad cups just below the right pinky (C/F) key. One pad cup for the C/F key is a modern simple system - basic student model - not really suitable :[ Two pad cups, the lower one operated independently by the left pinky (long B/E) key, indicates C# mechanism :] which will greatly facilitate playing because of the alternate chromatic fingerings you'll have available with it.
If the horn is not quite like this description and is in fact an early simple system, with (almost) no alternate fingering possibilities, you may want to buy it just for the historical display value. Some simple systems, however, are LPs and are fun to play. I have one and get a kick out of it. But, I wouldn't want to play a lengthy recital or a four hour gig with it :
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 7
Date: 2001-08-13 01:27
Thanks for the input guys.
I spent last night looking on the web and found a few pictures of old Albert System clarinets.. and this is in fact what it is. I found an old advert for a Buffet and this looks just like it. I'm sure it's just a knock off brand from the same age being it has not name anywhere on the thing.
I wasn't really sure if I wanted to buy it or not, I just found it odd because it was really different then the clarinet I have. After I started playing I've been on the look out for other neat horns to pick up (if the price is right).
As for the marking of "LP" the thing was totaly devoid of any markings. At least in the handful of minutes I had to look it over.
It did have two lower pad cups. I remember this because the lowest one had a cool mechanical elbow of sorts to push the pad cup over the hole.
It looked very much like the one in this picture (far right labeled no.8)
http://when.wmp3.fm/7/clarinetpic.jpg
I'm going to swing by there tomorrow and take another look. They have $125 on it, but if I decide to pick it up I think I'll offer $75-80 and see if they bite.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-13 03:42
Hi, 7 -
Let me clarify somewhat, if I may... The lower joint, if it has the C# mechanism, will have Four large pad cups. If it is not equipped with the C#mech it will have only Three large pad cups. All Alberts have the articulated (jointed) long E/B key.
See if they'll bite for $40 :|
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-08-13 12:57
Everyone should have a playable oldie, to increase his/her 's appreciation of the Boehm, a bit like stopping banging one's head against the wall. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-13 18:37
Don -
I seem to bang my noggin in reverse order...
I play Boehms well enough to try 'em out (play test) after repair. That's when I really appreciate my 'oldies'... when I put those Boehms in the outbox :])
-ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 7
Date: 2001-08-15 03:39
Well,. I went and looked again. Still couldn't find a marking on it.
But I found a repaired broken section (in the middle of the horn when it fits together). Also, the people in the shop wouldn't go below 100 bucks.
I thanked them for their time and left.
:)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
