 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Canadian Clarinetist
Date: 2015-10-11 10:02
Hello - I am hoping someone might know something about the clarinet I have bought. It is a "Lyons Aristocrat Deluxe" and while it looks quite nice I believe it's much older than it looks. There is very limited info available it seems on this line of clarinets. One post on this website mentioned a Lyons Band Instrument Co. of Chicago where it could have been sold but I can't be sure as there seems to have been several of these clarinets available for sale in Europe. I believe it was this same post that indicated the clarinet was likely made in France though mine is stamped Germany (the bell is likely not original as it is stamped ELKHART USA). It could be a stencil; if so who could have made it? It is a very nice wood. This clarinet so far seems to be a bit of a mystery.
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Author: Canadian Clarinetist
Date: 2015-10-12 16:35
Good info; thanks! If it indeed was sold in Chicago I'm surprised how many seemed to have made way back to Europe considering all the listings of them I've seen for sale over there. The serial number is H294xxx. The case almost looks to be more along the lines of having come from one from those German makers you mentioned rather than being one of those multicolored leather Lyons cases with the lion medallion I've seen online. Since the bell's been replaced it's safe to assume the case has been as well. No original mouthpiece was included. I'll post links to pictures in the future if perhaps they can be used to identify a specific maker.
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Author: Canadian Clarinetist
Date: 2015-10-16 04:14
The Lyons C Clarinet is described here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyQdcCa_qEU
It's really impressive to hear these pros play it, though I highly doubt it is related to our older Lyons horns.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-10-16 06:21
The Lyons C clarinet is similar to the instrument currently marketed as the Clarineo. I have one in my collection. It was invented by Grahame Lyons in the early 90's and the Clarineo is just a more marketable development of it. The keywork is sort of minimalist Boehm and will present no problems to a clarinetist. The standard mouthpiece didn't suit me, but with a Yamaha C4 Eb mouthpiece it sounds pretty good, although the tuning is a bit flakey. I take mine along for weekend trips because it plays right along with a guitar and also the world won't end if I break it.
Tony F.
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Author: donald
Date: 2015-10-16 13:53
Here is Julian playing his Lyons C clarinet....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBs-LLALZpE
Hanson also make a simple plastic chalumeau for children to play
Last time I looked Steve Fox had a Lyons C clarinet for sale 2nd hand on his website
Post Edited (2015-10-16 13:54)
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Author: donald
Date: 2015-10-17 03:29
"I would wager a completely and totally unrelated company." no need to wager if you've read the rest of the thread. Btw in a 1980s edition of The Clarinet there is a picture of Mr Lyons giving a lecture on his (then) new initiative, I think this was at a symposium in Edinburgh....
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Author: Canadian Clarinetist
Date: 2015-10-20 05:40
In further response to Silversorcerer, the Otto Link Reso Chamber mouthpiece I planned to use with my Lyons horn doesn't fit on its barrel and the other barrels I have don't seem to be right for it. It is an odd instrument though I suppose the feel is somewhat reminiscent of the Yamaha YCL-450n I used to have, if less refined build wise considering its age. At any rate I haven't been able to have a good play on it. I don't know if it also needs repairs or what though the cork and pads are to my eye not original. The old keys still have nearly a mirror finish so I believe it also has nickel keys, but there is no indication of whether it was made in West or East Germany (could it really be that old?). The long barrel has an etching that I am unable to identify, and is almost certainly not original to the clarinet. I'm trying to find info on the etching, but nothing so far. I'll post photos when I can.
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