 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Noecker
Date: 2002-05-18 17:34
Hello again everyone. Yes, I need your advice yet again, but this is more or less just an opinion question. I had recently decided to simply purchase an E-11 clarinet, but then I found what I considered to be a pretty good deal on a different clarinet, and I got it for a 5 day trial. The clarinet is a "Couesnon Monopole", which I am told is, in essence, new. The seller tells me it was produced sometime in the 1960's (I forget when, offhand), but was never sold. The clarinet is in very good condition, all of the keys work well, and are even quite shiny. It's in amazingly good condition for it's age (at least in my opinion). However, I haven't really found very much on this clarinet (even on this bored, it's only been mentioned a few times, and only really in passing). So, I don't know if it would compare to a new E-11. Does anyone have an opinion on this? I have until Monday to decide if I want the clarinet. The problem is that I have no way of getting an E-11 to try side-by-side with it. I'm sure I should have probably thought of that, but I didn't until it was too late. So, I'm hoping someone will be able to tell me that one is quite a bit better than the other, so as to help me make my decision.
Thanks in advance,
John
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-18 18:50
IMHO--If I had to choose either one without audition, I would choose the E-11 because of their established reputation for usual excellance. But the bottom line for clarinet selection is, "how does it play for you." Look for response and evenness of scale, quality of sound and intonation. The E-11 should prevail this kind of scrutiney, but one can never say for sure. Try before you buy, and Good Clarineting!!!!!!!
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-05-18 20:39
John, if comparing similiar models is a critical factor in your selection process I wouldn't follow through on the horn, especially if you have a drop dead date and can't try out other E-11s before you purchase. If it was me, unless I am 110% sure when investing in a horn I won't buy it. The last thing you need is even a tinge of doubt with your final choice. v/r
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Author: John Noecker
Date: 2002-05-19 00:00
Well, I have tried several E-11's in the past, and I don't remember them playing as easily or sweetly as this plays, but I don't really think I can safely go on memory. This clarinet plays better, in my opinion, than what I've been playing on. Quite honestly, I was more hoping that someone knows the approximate level of the Monopole, and how it would compare with an E-11 on a generic level. I really do like the clarinet, but if someone knows specifically that it is a lower level than an E-11, than obviously I'd rather try out some E-11. Really, though, I've heard a good bit of criticisim for the E-11, and almost none for the Monopole, although I'd attribute that to the fact that I've heard little to nothing about the Monopole before. Is anyone, by chance, familiar with the monopole, and would know how it would compare to today's clarinets? I like it, but again, I'm not much of a judge of things sometimes, especially by memory...
Thanks again,
John
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-05-19 00:28
I have one as backup (bought on eBay for $75). It's "OK" as a general-purpose instrument - intonation isn't nearly as good as my Selmer 10G. Tone is OK. For $75 (plus new pads & corks) it was a good buy. I don't know how it compares to an E11, never having played one, but it's not as good as the few E13s that I've tried.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2002-05-19 01:08
How about this...
This horn has been sitting around since the 60's and nobody thought highly enough to buy it. If I were you I would return it. You might consider making a recording of yourself playing it. Then get the E-11's and compare it to the recording.
If the recording wins I would bet that horn will still be available since it hasn't been sold in over 30 years.
Just a thought
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-05-19 02:30
I believe Couesnon "Monopole" was top of the line professional clarinet.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-05-19 04:10
Go to the Klarinet Archives on this site and search on "Couesnon" and you will find some interesting discussion of the company -- but no mention of the Monopole model. From what I have seen on eBay, including a beautiful Bb/A set, I think Vytas is correct in his assessment that the Monopole was the professional model in the Couesnon line. It's old technology but the E11 isn't exactly state-of-the-art design either.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: David Dow Symphony NB
Date: 2002-05-19 16:03
With standard equipment the Cuesenon should be a fine clarinet. I am not sure what the criteria you are using to assess this instrument but tone and tuning should be reasonalbe with the chalumeua high and the upper harmonics in tune or adjustable. The Eb clarinet is actually much harder to choose due to its design and also the fact that tuning on the Eb is very critical...be careful of cracks and woodwork and also of the integrity of the tone hole paremeters for nicks and chips...look for signs of this carefully and closely. I also wonder if you are using a B40 or B44 mouthpiece for playing this...a bad or inferior mouthpiece might cloud judgements....try a pro model mouthpiece like a vandoren or something for testing...good luck!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-05-19 17:11
David Dow Symphony NB wrote:
> I also
> wonder if you are using a B40 or B44 mouthpiece for playing
> this...a bad or inferior mouthpiece might cloud
> judgements....try a pro model mouthpiece like a vandoren or
> something for testing...good luck!!
Personally I wouldn't change so many variables - a good mouthpiece on your current clarinet might be just the ticket for now without investing in another clarinet if in fact you don't already have a good mouthpiece.
Testing a new clarinet with a mouthpiece you're not accustomed to might end up not being a very good idea ...
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-19 21:46
Some years back I had an A [initial] Fontaine cl which I played as my #1 [17/6], and wondered about its ancestry, until I saw an ad in an old Woodwind mag. [1950's] re: Cousenon Monopole [best] and Font. [student] models. I may have that old WW mag. and will look for it if requested. Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-20 14:39
I've restored two Couesnon "Monopole" clarinets, one of which I just sold to a good friend. In my (humble?) opinion, a properly overhauled Monopole (top-of-the line Couesnon, oui!) is in every way the equal of an R-13. I would personally take it over an E-11 any day, but people say I have weird tastes in instruments, so.........
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-05-20 17:20
I tried several Couesnon clarinets at a show around 1960. I'm sure it was the top model, so it would have been the Monopole.
The representative claimed that all the prize winners at the Paris Conservatoire that year had played them, which seemed highly unlikely.
The representative also said that the instruments were an improvement on Buffet, Selmer and Leblanc because there was no change in tone color in the throat range or between the throat Bb and the B above it. The claim about even tone color was definitely true. However, I thought that it was achieved at the expense of dulling everything down rather than improving the bad notes. I had trouble getting any "ring" in the tone.
As with any model, a lot depends on the particular example. I'd have a friend with a good ear listen to you play the one you found both up close and at the back of an auditorium, to see how the sound carries.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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