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5-key Metzler

Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2007-10-21 22:51

Recently I got to examine a 5-key boxwood clarinet that had been in the owner's family for at least 60 years. It's a C clarinet, and on all sections are imprinted "Metzler, London".

It has a few problems. One of the brass keys, the one that would be for Ab/Eb on a modern instrument, is missing. The other keys are tarnished. The mouthpiece is very worn and has suffered what I assume to be saliva damage - the inside and facing both are affected. The bell is banded at the top in brass, possibly to counter a hairline crack running down from there, and the lower joint is likewise banded, possibly to counter a tiny crack visible in the i.d. of the tenon.

Despite the problems, the instrument may be a decent candidate for repair, though I'm far from qualified to say. Where would one seek to have such an instrument evaluated? The owner lives in northern New England.

Many thanks for any advice.

- Phil Caron

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Re: 5-key Metzler

Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-10-22 03:40

Hi Phil,

I am by no means qualified to answer your question. But if you're not already on the EarlyClarinet mailing list, you might want to join in order to ask there. It's a *very* low traffic group, so no need to fear getting swamped. The URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyClarinet/?yguid=256472302.

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