 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Karen
Date: 2002-01-31 03:09
A few years ago, a friend bought a metal clarinet at an antique shop for me to make into a lamp. I'm just getting to it (you know how that is) and wondered about the brand. the engraving on the bell reads "wolverine grinnell bros. detroit" I am from detroit, so I suspect that it is a mass produced instrument from the early-mid 20th century.
Can anyone tell me anything else? Also, it's in pretty bad shape (mildew & God only knows what else). I'm taking it apart piece by piece, removing pads, and trying to clean it up.
I would appreciate advice on getting it cleaned up.
Thanks!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-01-31 04:50
Karen;
I've found that hand dishwashing detergent, very warm water and a toothbrush works pretty well. You could rub a tiny amount of oil on the springs to keep them from rusting later on - or remove them. Since it likely will never be functional as a musical instrument you might want to super glue the keys so they don't rattle after you reassemble it. You can then rub it to a moderately good shine with a soft cloth. Lacquer it to keep it from tarnishing - unless you like the aged patina look. I wouldn't do much more than that.
An interesting piece of Detroit history. Its re-sale worth, dollar-wise, probably is the cost of parts and the amount of effort you put into recycling it plus twenty to fourty percent.
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Author: willie
Date: 2002-01-31 07:35
If it has all the parts, including the barrel, get it playable again! There are lots of us that play around with old metal clarinets. Its a piece of history and to make it into a lamp is kinda sad. As for cleaning, don't use those silver dips you would use for kitchen stuff. It will cause problems later on. Hand polish it with cloth strops and Q-tips.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-31 13:56
I remember that Grinnell Bros was a music store "chain" in Lansing and elsewhere in Mich. [Wolverine, a fierce, medium-sized beast, a U of Mi sports name, The Mi animal! , look it up !!] in the 20-30's, my childhood. It was common practice then to sell "stencilled" instruments, so prob. your cl was made by White-King in Cleveland, or Bettoney in Boston for G B, or Conn in Elkhart. Might be better than the usual metal horn, look for unusual features such as the Bet. adjustable barrel, two piece UJ and LJ, extra keys etc. Don
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2002-01-31 20:57
I know of Grinnell bros. as a piano manufacturer. I personally have seen more than a few pianos with the Grinnell name and own one myself. I have only seen uprights by them but that is not to say there isn't any other styles from Grinnell. The ones I have seen appeared to be on the older side (between 1900s and 40s) but mine appears to be more or less 20 years old and is in great condition. All of them appear to be pretty well made instruments.
I live in the metro detroit area and I think I can recall seening the Grinnell bros. price tag apearing in various forms on old music related items that might turn up in antique stores (ex.; sheet music, old reeds in the cases of old instruments {yuck!!!}, ect...) as would be further evidence that Grinnell Bros. was a music store chain. I believe the clarinet is a stencil and perhaps their pianos are stencils as well.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-01-31 21:12
Grinnel was never a manufacturer; rather, they were a major importer of stencil instruments of all kinds. The name's been resurrected recently in Detroit - the few times I went to the new outlet I was less than impressed, but some of their older (1930-40 ish) pianos were fine instruments.
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Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-01-31 22:10
Any idea of who made their pianos?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-01 01:02
I don't - wish I knew. Talk to Grant over at ... the piano place in Ferndale ... I forget the name. He'll know.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-01 03:08
Boy, was I wrong on this one! Grinnel <b>was</b> both a manufacturer and distributor of pianos.
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