 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: George J
Date: 2010-12-18 21:57
When my father died in 1998 he left me his Clarinet. It is a Buffet, C. Fisher, serial number 1E261.
I don't play and know nothing about musical instruments, is it worth anything? How do I get it appraised? I don't want to be naive concerning this professional piece.
It needs pads, is in good condition.
The barrel doesn't appear to be the original one (looks adjustable), nor the mouth piece...
my dad played in the San Bernadino, CA orchestra in the early 1960s.
Thanx!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-12-19 00:07
George -
Your clarinet was made in 1910. See http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/HowOld/Buffet.html. Since your father played it in an orchestra, it's undoubtedly at "low pitch," meaning A-440. Look on the bell, hoping to see the stamped initials "LP."
I have a set that was made in 1908 and like them very much. I had them restored by Peter Spriggs, who did an excellent job. Don't be surprised if there are cracks that become visible when the wood is scrubbed clean. Restoration will cost several hundred dollars.
Wrap a damp cloth around a bottle brush and and scrub out the top part of the bore of the upper joint. Go past the register vent if you can, or come up from the bottom. If the top part of the bore is as shiny as the bottom, that's good news. If the top is dull, the top of the bore has been re-reamed, which makes restoration problematic.
If your father played with the adjustable barrel, it's probably OK, though the instrument would probably benefit from a new one. Unfortunately, the 1910 barrels had a different design from those used today, so you'll need to find someone who knows the old design, which was at least two millimeters longer than what's used today
Buffets this old don't bring a lot at auction -- maybe $600, particularly if it needs pads. However, it has the possibility of being an excellent player, if you want to restore it.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2010-12-19 00:08)
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