 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Melanie
Date: 1999-06-02 02:59
I really hate to start up this debate again (I just finished reading the heated arguments from a few years back), but I recently acquired a Holton Collegiate metal clarinet. It's in great condition -- no dents and all of the pads work. Of course, the pads are all leather. Is this normal on an old clarinet? Are Holtons decent horns? Also, does anyone make metal clarinets anymore? I need a new case for this one is all moldy and reeks to high heaven and back.
Yes, I am a clarinetist and have played for 8 years. Right now I'm on a Buffet Vintage R-13 that I have had for a little over a year and love it. Before that I had an old wooden Normandy.
I would appreciate any info anyone could give me regarding this new addition to my collection.
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Author: Mark P.
Date: 1999-06-02 03:36
Well..... the Holton Collegiate is basicly a student model clarinet from the 30s-50s. You see them by the dozens it seems on eBay. It's probably as good as a modern Bundy or Vito if the pads and corks are all in good shape. Leather pads are fairly common on them as they were really useful for outside concerts where you didn't want to expose your wooden clarinet with paper pads. With a decent mouthpiece, it should play fine.
Metal clarinets are kinda neat, I have two that I plan to restore... a Cavalier and a Pedlar, both in silver plate.
As for a new case, they don't make new cases for them tho you might be able to modify a cheap soprano sax case to hold the Holton.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-02 11:43
To kill mold etc., try Lysol spray disinfectant. For odors, try spraying the case really well with Febreze and letting it dry. Also you can try letting it sit in the sun for a day (open of course). After all that a good vacuuming will help get any dirt out of it. Then the case should be useable. Hinges, latches, and handle can be replaced if needed and the rest of the case can be rebuilt if it is coming apart.
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Author: jim lande@erols.com
Date: 1999-06-03 04:39
The metal clarinet likers appear to outnumber the haters on this board. The big knock is that they tended to have larger bores (like most instruments of the period) and so
they do not hold pitch as well as modern instruments. Your Holton would be ideal for marching/pep band, camping, etc.
You might be able to find a tool box about the right size and then convert it. (I did this for an alto clarinet. The outside is cherry red and the inside is blue velvet. Very attractive, but it took me a day or so of work.) Dee's advice is better.
I think leather pads were slightly cheaper than bladder type pads in the 1930s. I have taken apart some metal clarinets (notable a metal Buffet circa 1930) that had metal pads and
some student models with bladder types. Of late, I have been restoring using Ferree's white kit pads. I think they are a little easier to put in than the bladder type and MAYBE give a little softer tone. I have heard that they get hard and unyielding, hold dirt more and as a result need replacing quicker. Dunno.
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Author: Pat
Date: 1999-06-03 18:22
I have a metal clarinet and would like some more information on it. On the bell is stamped "Paul Jarmen, Paris". Elsewhere is stamped "Made in Italy, 40775". The local band director said it should be turned into a lamp. I wonder if it is worth restoring. It seems to be missing all pads and the mouthpiece. Any ideas out there?
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Author: Jim
Date: 1999-06-03 18:53
Melanie,
Your metal clarinet sounded great to me! Thanks for demonstrating it. One thing about leather pads, they last a long, long time. Now, about the physics of the metal clarinet ...
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-04 03:23
PLEASE don't turn them into lamps. They play no worse than any other clarinet of the same age and level. The vast majority were student models and have the typical characteristics of student horns. There were also intermediate and professional models made. The heyday of the metal instruments seems to have been late 1920s through early 1940s. While they were made both before and after this time period, this seems to be when they were the most popular (again particularly for student use and marching use).
As to whether they are worth restoring that's up to you. Would you consider a wood, hard rubber, or bakelite horn of the same age and level worth restoring. If you would, then so is a metal one.
Actually, I consider the metal ones worth restoring anyway just to have a functioning piece of music history. Since they were usually quite sturdy, you can fix them up and play them without having to worry too much about damaging them. Most of the ones that I have seen really only need repadding and a little key oil applied and a few springs replaced. Polishing is optional. There are several good quality, reasonably priced student and intermediate mouthpieces that you could buy to use on this instrument. They take a standard clarinet mouthpiece. However one caveat about restoring them. Many, but not all, of the metal clarinets had a short tuning barrel. One end had an enlargement to hold the standard mouthpiece and the other slipped over the end of the clarinet body. If your clarinet is this style and this piece is missing, you will have a difficult time trying to find this piece. Other metal clarinets had the enlarged cup for the mouthpiece as part of the body itself so there is no problem here although it limits the tuning capability to pulling the mouthpiece only.
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Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-06-05 03:08
I aquired an old gold-finished metal Noblet clarinet (serial #242)about ten years ago at a buy and sell shop in Madison, Wi for about $20.00. It plays wonderfully and I would never consider making it into a lamp. Some of the older metal clarinets were actually intended for professional use and I have often wondered if I have such an instrument Any info anyone has out there would be appreciated. FYI--my professional instruments of choice are currently LeBlanc Concertos.
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Author: jim lande@erols.com
Date: 1999-06-05 03:25
I have two metal Noblets and i think they play pretty good. My son used one for band, this year. Noblet was LeBlanc's intermediate entry and I am convinced that this horn was a cut better than many of the student models of the day. (I have restored an American Standard, Revere, Legionairre and American Gloritone -- all inferior instruments.) Interestingly, LeBlanc continued to offer a metal soprano clarinet up to 1972. At that time it was priced at the bottom of the student offerings, so I would guess the quality dropped off. I like the older of my Noblets better.
There are definatly near pro quality metal clarinets to be had. A Buffet just went for more than $500 on eBay. Mine was made about the same time but has some different features. Both have the non-adjustible barrel. Mine plays in tune (on average) and is an absolute gem. It doesn't play every note as close to correct pitch as my R13 but it is one sweet horn. The Noblets are not as nice to play, but certainly better than my old plastic Bundy.
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Author: Wendell Montney
Date: 2002-01-05 02:12
I just picked up a Holton Collegiate Clarinet serial number 295648. I am trying to determine when it was built? It is in excellent condition with no dents. With the replacement of one cork and one pad the plays fine. I have reviewed other comments regarding metal clarinets. I am interested only in determining the year of manufacture and a current value (primarily for insurance replacement value) it will go right next to my wooden 1888 Buffet Crapon Elite... NO... you MAY NOT take it off my hands. As I believe it was Dee said... it is MY part of MUSICAL history! I also have a Holton Trombone dating back to 1947, Selmer K-Modified Cornet1962, and a Conn Constellation Trumpet 1961. I have played brass for years and now am quite involved in woodwinds as well.
Wendell
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