 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-10-02 05:38
Hi everyone!
Today I found one of the last clarinets I've been hunting for. Well, maybe not the last...there's always another clarinet out there to be found!!
At any rate, I got me a wood Bb LP Albert system!! Yay! Of course it needs work and has a small crack at the top of the lower joint.
The bell reads, "V. Kohlert Sons Makers, Graslitz, Czechoslovakia, Chicago, Paris, London, Bb, 549?" The "Chicago, Paris, London" part is in a flourishy insignia. And the word "Czechoslovakia" as well as the serial number are very worn and difficult to read. Of course the remainder of this marking is rather "fresh" and very gold. I suspect this is not the original bell because the UJ & LJ only say "Bb, LP" on them. Naturally, there's no way I can find to know for sure about that...
I can't wait to put it to use once I get it fixed up!
Katrina
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-10-02 20:59
H, Kat!
Nice horn. From what I've seen of them, rebuilt an A, did a couple of Bb repads (all Alberts), they seem like pretty nice instruments when I play-tested 'em. I don't own one but, if ever I were to my others might immediately become back up horns. From my 'limited' encounters with Kohlerts, methinks you made a very good 'find'. Happy Tootin' 
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-10-02 21:32
I know an elderly gentleman (in his 80s) where I live that plays a Kohlert simple system, with the top joint rings - he was stationed in Germany and bought it there along with a Dearman alto (a Conn copy, with 'nail-file' G# touch, but every touchpiece covered in mother-of-pearl, even the 'nail-file' G#).
The bottom joint on his is strange being divided - the lowest tonehole is on a seperate barrel and can be turned to regulate the closure of the lowest pad cup, and the pad cup is on the right - not in line with the LH lever it would normally be attached to, but in line with the RH double F/C / 'patent C#' key cups.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-10-02 21:33)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-10-02 21:37
Katrina...
I have an Eb version (Albert) of the exact same horn you just got. Mine was acquired in a batch of clarinets and supplies I purchased from a colleague. This particular clarinet was included and had just undergone a complete overhaul/repad/ etc... No cracks or damage at all.
The bell you have is most likely the original. My Eb clarinet has the exact same markings as yours - the bell with the full insignia and the upper and lower joints marked (in my case) only "Eb" and "LP". The barrel has no markings, but it could have faded over the years. All the tenon rings around the barrel, bell and lower joint match. The number on the bell is also 549 but there seems to be another digit or letter before the number. It is VERY difficult to discern but it may be a "O" or a "G" (?)
As much as I've looked, I can not find any other serial number anywhere on the instrument. Again, perhaps it has faded or rubbed away over time.
Enjoy the clarinet - mine is much fun to play. It sits out in my studio and my students always ask to see it up close ...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-10-02 21:53
GBK,
I have an LP clarinet that was overhauled and it's barrel ALSO has no markings. Perhaps clarinets of the LP and HP era simply didn't HAVE markings on barrels.
Alexi
PS - Also no serial number on the back of mine either. BEAUTIFUL wood though.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2005-10-02 22:21
Hey, Katrina:
Enjoy that clarinet!! I'd like to hear how the sound and tonal characteristics compare with your regular favorite Boehm clarinet. It will be an interesting opportunity.
Have fun!
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-10-03 02:38
Yeah...an interesting opportunity once I find the funds to have it fixed up, Kalakos! I know it will be wonderful...I just felt it when I saw the case...No concrete explanations, just a "feeling"!!!
At any rate, I haven't even tried to play it, cause of the crack and the lack of a tenon ring on the top of the barrel.
GBK, are you saying your Eb has no markings on anything but the bell other than the key & "LP"??? That'd be neat if it helps ascertain the authenticity of my find...
I'm just so happy to have completed my "required" trilogy of Alberts...I already had the C and the Turkish G...And this just is the nice little Hat Trick!!
Katrina
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-10-03 02:55
Katrina:
My Eb clarinet is marked "Eb" and "LP" on the upper portion of the top joint and "Eb" and "LP" on the lower portion of the bottom joint. The barrel (which is the original one) is unmarked. If there were any markings at all on the barrel, they have disappeared over time.
The bell is exactly as you described yours is - with the florid insignia. Under the insignia is "Eb" and beneath that is the number "549".
As I previously wrote, there also seems to be either a small, faint "O" or a "G" or a "6" (?) before the number 549 ...GBK
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-04 23:21
Mark et al - I'm now dberger19@cableone.net, its faster!! I'll bet many of us have an old Kohl. Albert on display, mine is an LP Bb [on L J], no ser #, the oval logo, like described above on the U J, and on the bell with a number of "medals", below. Yes, 2 and 2 rings, rollers on the low keys, pat. C#, flat springs on most keys, cracks, "bare" barrel. Some of us, like Dave S, can prob. put an approx. date on this variety of embellishments but I for one dont really care, I just say, "turn of century" when asked. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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