 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2002-04-21 23:12
Hi! I bought a clarinet in poor condition from an antique store on the weekend, thinking that I could use it for a lampstand at least(!) I'm trying to work out what it is. It has 12 keys and 2 rings. The register vent is topsides, and is operated by a very interesting key which curves around the clarinet. Question 1. Is it an "Albert" system clarinet?
It is stamped "Boosey & Co" on all parts, which, apart from the barrel, have the serial number 198##. The Boosey website claims the manufacter date is 1920, however, a number of other sites, including Sneezy, which cites old catalogues fixes the manufacture date as 1912. Question 2> Which date is correct?
Question 3> Is it worthwhile deleaking and repading it etc, or should I just leave it for my wall? Where could one get a mpc that fitted the (narrow) opening on the barrel?
Question 4> How much should I have paid for it@#$?
Many thanks
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2002-04-22 00:12
198xx is 1935 ... Yes, for Buffets, but not for Booseys...
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-22 15:02
My older list agrees with 1912, as does your descript. of 2 rings [on lower joint?] and front-located register key. Does it have only 2 keys for the rt-hand little finger? If so, I'd say it is a "turn-of-the-century", 13 key [nominally] Albert-Mueller system clar. There are a lot of these still kicking around, I have made a couple of mine reasonably playable. Except for trying to play traditional Dixie-jazz, I'm glad to play a Boehm sustem. Value? , low, if yours is in poor condition, hope you dont have more than $50 in it, Luck, Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-04-22 20:59
Unless there are major cracks in it, it is probably worth repairing just to have a piece of history.
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2002-04-23 00:02
Thanks, Don. Yes it does have 2 rings on the lwr joint and has only 2 keys for the RH little finger. I wonder where the 13th key got to? $50? As long as you're talking US Dollars!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-04-23 02:30
How many side trill keys does it have on the right hand side of the upper joint?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-23 21:30
Very good point, Dee, I looked at my oldies, one has only 2 trills, so the key count might be 12, that particular one has 2 rings on each of the UJ and LJ!! however. Thats why I said {nominally}, it still would prob. be called a "conventional" 13 keyed Albert-Mueller as in Rendall's chapter on Cl's in the 1800's. Don
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-04-24 01:54
This instrument is definitely playable and worth using!
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2002-04-24 03:33
Yes, only 2 trills.
Thanks for your help everyone. The instrument is definitely not playable in its present condition, but I'll repad it etc at my leisure with the ultimate aim of having it playable. I don't know what I will play it for, however. But, one can never have too many clarinets!
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