 The Ethnic Clarinet
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-06-02 16:43
I first started playing a Boehm clarinet in 1936, and have been aware of the Albert system almost from the begining but have never played one. Recently curiosity got the best of me and I bought a 'vintage', (pre 1900??), Albert: 5 rings, 14 keys. The corks and pads need to be replaced, otherwise everything is in very good condition.
However, my experience with and knowledge of the Albert is nil, so the following questions:
1) Vandoren markets Black Master and White Master reeds for German and Austrian mouthpieces. How can I tell if the mp, (rosewood?), I have is 'German' or 'Austrian' ..... which reeds will fit?
2) Is it possible to 'alter' the reeds I use for Boehm mp to fit and work on German/Austrian mps?
3) I've replaced corks and pads on Boehms many times. Is there anything peculiar to re-padding an Albert that I should be aware of?
All help greatly appreciated.
Joe
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2004-06-02 20:07
Hi:
Since most Albert systems of the past are French made (my favorites are Buffets and one Jean Marbeau that's excellent), you can probably use any mouthpiece that works for you. Therefore, no reed problems. My clarinet tech who just did a pad adjustment for me this week says the Albert is a bit tricky because on older instruments there's some "play" in the long keys etc., but it is really no problem. You'll probably do fine it soundl like to me.
Good luck anyway. Try you favorite mouthpiece and I'll bet it'll work for you!
Kalakos
John Pappas
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Author: JoeMich
Date: 2004-06-03 20:39
Hi:
John, many thanks for the 'heads up'. This old-timer that I bought seems to be of Germanic origin. The original makers name is overstamped and impossible to read. "Alfred Schadlich" is stamped just below the original logo on both joints and the barrel. The case has a label and the name is "Walter Schadlich". Yes, it could possibly be of French origin, 'adopted' by Alfred and Walter. :-))
However ...... I tried my favorite mouthpiece, and it fits the barrel nicely!!! Why I didn't think to try that is beyond me, but I thank you for the suggestion. Now it makes no difference what mp came with the horn, I can use 'French' reeds on a favorite mp.
I ordered white kid skin pads from Ferees today, so before long my new baby will be singing again! Thanks, John.
Regards, Joe.
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Author: Merlin Shepherd
Date: 2004-07-30 23:58
Hi Joe,
in answer to your posting
1) Vandoren markets Black Master and White Master reeds for German and Austrian mouthpieces. How can I tell if the mp, (rosewood?), I have is 'German' or 'Austrian' ..... which reeds will fit?
So you've decided to use your favourite mouthpiece. Well maybe you need to think about this. If you use a modern French mouthpiece then your clarinet will not sound the way it was designed. I play a Martin Frere C clarinet from the end of the 19th Century and to my ear it sounds not good at all with a French mouthpiece. Different to a French clarinet but not anything like as interesting. If you're not going for the sound, why bother playing a simple (or Albert) system?The Vandoren reeds are designed as you rightly said for two types of mouthpieces, the primary difference being that the Austria has a more closed tip and a longer lay. I use the Austrian on the Martin Frere with a variety of reeds.
2) Is it possible to 'alter' the reeds I use for Boehm mp to fit and work on German/Austrian mps?
The German/Austrian reed is cut with a thicker heart, therefore even if you shave and trim a French reed, it still won't quite sound or feel right.
3) I've replaced corks and pads on Boehms many times. Is there anything peculiar to re-padding an Albert that I should be aware of?
Old clarinets are often padded using shellac, not glue. So it may be useful to warm the back of the key with a gas flame (gently so as not to discolour the metal) in order to melt the shellac to get the old pad out. Sometimes they used glue so try to pry on out first. If you're going really authentic you may want to use shellac to ut the new ones in.
hope this helps,
all the best
Merlin
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-09-06 07:24
I've played Albert horns forever, Joe. I've lost count of how many Boehms I've repadded and Albert re-pads number in the dozens. Albert top joints are fairly straightforward as there are no complicated combinations to fuss with. The bottom combos are not too difficult either, to me at least - now that I've done lots of them. I like to seat the long B/E first. Then seat the Right pinky C, followed by the "Patent C#". Adjust the B/E (patent) operated lever so it and the (Patent)C# pad close simultaneously. You can bend the lever slightly but I prefer to rely on cork thickness to do the job. Then adjust the C pad so it and the C# pad close simultaneously. The Ab/Eb is independent of the rest, just regulate the clearance to about the same as the other large pads. Do the same to the C# - it's not connected to anything else. If there's an Eb/G# lever adjust it so there's just a tiny amount of motion before it raises the Eb pad.
Another approach that works well is to seat the C and C# pads. Adjust the C# to close them together. Then seat and adjust the long key (E/Bb) to simultaneously close the C#. From there the procedure for C# and Eb is the same as above.
For many years I used a Steel Ebonite mouthpiece and still use it with a couple of my instruments. With the rest I use a Geo. Bundy #3 mouthpiece and it works quite well. In other words, plain ol' mouthpieces work just fine on all my Albert horns. I'm not a collector, just a packrat... 
I apologize for being this late responding to your post, I don't visit here as often as I'd like to. I hope this is not too late to be of some use to you.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
Post Edited (2004-09-10 18:20)
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