 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Janet
Date: 2002-10-16 21:40
Can someone please help me identify what kind of clarinet I have. It is about 2 1/2 inches longer than my regular old Bb clarinet. IT HAS 20 keys (lowest is apparently low Eb)and 7 ring/holes. It is a Buffet Crampon wooden clarinet with model LP (low pitch?). It seems to be in the key of A since when I play middle C it matches my piano's Bb. Serial appears to be 445U. MOST UNUSUAL OF ALL IS THAT A 4 PIECE INSTEAD OF 5 PIECE CLARINET. It appears in excellent condition and the old lady I got it from said her brother played for 17 years in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Would this be an old A Soprano clarinet or what?
THANKS FOR ALL YOU HELP....I haven't played since high school many, many years ago.
I hope this posting is OK with the group.
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Author: Janet
Date: 2002-10-16 21:42
SORRY....I meant to say when I play middle C on this clarinet it matches A on my piano...
I replied to myself since I didn't know how to edit my posting.
thanks,
Janet
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-10-16 21:53
Sounds like a one piece, full Boehm "A" clarinet from abt. 1905 (according to the serial number tables). Buffet made both 1 and 2 piece (or 4 and 5 piece, counting mpc., barrel and bell) for many years. Does yours have the "donught" key for the middle finger, left hand?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-16 23:53
If this was once played by someone in the Chicago Symphony, then that would be very difficult to prove (as any anecdote is). If you find this to be true, then it's probably quite valuable due to it's heritage. Difficult to prove ...
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-10-17 03:06
Janet, here is a photo I put together for you to answer your question. If your horn looks like this then you have a full boehm Buffet A clarinet. I have noted the extra keys the horn probably has and what they do. I am sure other folks will correct any errors I have made. The photo is of my 1925 Buffet FB which is purported to have been used int the San Francisco Symphony in the '20's.
<HR><center><img src="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/thorlick/images/fb.jpg" border="6"></center><hr>
Terry Horlick
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-10-17 04:53
Wow! Terrific photo, Terry.
It brings back memories...I had a Selmer years ago set up just like the Buffet you have.
Thanks for the excellent work,
JJM
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-10-17 07:24
Hi!
Yes, I have a full Boehm Bb one piece clarinet and a full Boehn one piece A clarinet. However, neither has the third finger ring key for the left hand which I prefer as the ring key is hard to adjust and doesn't feel good to me. The Bb was made in 1912 and the A was made in 1921. They were sold to me in 1951 by the widow of a gentleman named Tarentino(sp) who played in the Hollywood Bowl orchestra. Both are fine clarinets and were tuned by Glen Johnston. They will probably be auctioned on ebay within the next year or so. The one piece design eliminates the acoustic losses in the middle joint as found on most clarinets. Good luck with yours.
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Author: Janet
Date: 2002-10-17 09:59
Thank you so very much for your detailed response and fantastic pictures! Yes, mine is exactly like this
one except it must be in the key of A according to my little test with the piano....I played middle C on my clarinet and it match A on my piano. I don't have a case (I'm going to go back and see if the elderly lady has it too somewhere), but the instrument is an easy 8 of 10 ...I'd say it was a 10 out of 10 except the silver keys need polishing and some of the pads need replaced. I put a new reed on it and it has a wonderful, easy played, tone. This clarinet was treasured and carefully taken care. It has a Holton metal reinforced m.p. with a Selmer 'quick change' reed band...it just slides off without having to undo any screws and let you change reeds quickly....I'd never seen one of these either. THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR HELPING ME WITH THIS!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-10-17 20:20
Janet - By now you may have all of the help/advice on your Buffet Full [or nearly so] Boehm A cl that you will ever want. BUT, We have earlier discussed the variety of the combinations of the 4 additions "above" the standardized 17 keys/6 rings cls, so Search the Phorum as you may wish. I have only [at present] 6 "improved" cls, which fall into several "classes" with key configurations dating from late 1800's to the ?1940's?, possibly the end of the "F B era", tho they are still available, via special order/cost. I began this to give you my take on your "doughnut" key model, which I view as Buff's early method of tuning-in the "fork-fingered" Eb/Bb, better solved by later using a small pad between the 2nd/3rd left, front, rings [as in that fine pic] which may cause some adjustment problems. Have much fun learning it, Don
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Author: terry
Date: 2002-10-18 07:56
This is a "Full Boehm" A clarinet. I have and happily
play my 1929(?) Herman Todt Bb and A Clarinets. Rearranged
Amazing Grace to to go to Eb.
enjoy, but fully play test first!
terry
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-10-19 07:57
Don't lose the ligature either. I believe that collectors treasure those ligatures and pay some money for them on Ebay. Good luck!
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