 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GWoodwind
Date: 2003-06-04 11:57
Hi,
I'm trying to find out information about my wooden Bflat clarinet. It is made by Jacques Albert Fils Bruxelles. I have been searching the web in trying to find out something about the maker. If you have any information I will be very appreciated.
Thanks for reading my message. 
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-06-04 14:47
Jacques Albert of Brussels (Bruxelles) was a son of Eugène Albert, originator of the instrument that gave the world the "Albert System."
Geoffrey Rendall, excellent source for Clarinet information, wrote that E. Albert's instruments had the best intonation ever achieved (that was published in 1954). Based solely on that comment, I would presume that J. Albert likely produced superior Clarinets. Such an instrument might well deserve a fine place in a collection. Probably very nice to play.
Regards,
John
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Author: GWoodwind
Date: 2003-06-07 01:35
Hi John,
Thank you for the information you provided about Jacques Albert. It is quite helpful and gives me a starting point for further investigation.
Thanks again,
Gordon.
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Author: macclar
Date: 2008-06-12 15:37
Hi. Just found an A clarinet, boehm system, marked Jacques Albert Fils, Bruxelles. It plays well, has a beautiful dark tone. Very hard tight wood grain. Minor surface cracks. Interestingly made horn. Has full metal tenon insert on lower joint and on upper joint where it meets the barrel. Also has an adjustment screw on the bridge key (keeps that fork Bb fingering tight I guess). Anyone have an idea if this is an ancient/collectible/currently used instrument? It seems to be as modern as any other.
houston@jerseycom.com
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2008-06-14 15:07
When i remember well , he did live in brussels till the sxties.
Did some research because i have an old Albert system clarinet from the same person
Best Regards
see : http://users.skynet.be/LC/Clarinet/Facture/Facture2.htm
Post Edited (2008-06-14 15:19)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-06-14 16:59
I worked on an old plateau model (Boehm) Jacques Albert clarinet around 5 years back. The owner treasures this clarinet not only as it's in such good condition, but it makes it much easier for him to play due to arthritis affecting his right hand fingers.
It's all incredibly well made (going by today's standards in build quality which is slap-dash in comparison) with very dense, tight-grained wood, all unplated nickel silver keys which are fairly soft, but they haven't discoloured too badly in all the time since it was made, and seeing how sharp the bevels still are shows it certainly hasn't been machine polished within an inch of it's life.
It plays very well too. The throat G vent (under the A key touch) is offset towards the G# touch (instead of being inline with the tonehole chimneys) give it more venting instead of having a deeply recessed tonehole as is the norm.
But I have seen a pair of old Jacques Albert standard Boehms which were replated and overhauled, but the whole job was less than desireable as the quality of the silver plating was poor having a dull, frosty and uneven finish - even the lower bell rings had been prised off damaging the wood to be plated, instead of being left on and unplated as is the norm.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ned
Date: 2008-06-15 03:12
''http://users.skynet.be/LC/Clarinet/Facture/Facture2.htm''
Looks like it might be a useful site............but alas........Je ne comprends pas.......non parle Francais!
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Author: macclar
Date: 2008-06-15 15:39
Thanks everybody for the info on the Jacques Albert clarinet. My friend wants to sell it, but had no idea of the background - only knew how great the tone quality was. Hard to believe that the instrument could be older than 1960!!
houston@jerseycom.com
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