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Re: Louis & Cl clarinets

Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-07-23 09:49

Louis 'Chas Draper' models are incredible clarinets built between WWI and WWII, and rivalled the B&H 1010, though production of Louis instruments was very low in comparison. Louis instruments are all entirely hand-built and the workmanship is exquisite. They were based on the Martel clarinets (and their oboes were based on Loree).

The few I've seen listed on eBay (usually single Bb) have gone for a fair amount and have attracted a great deal of bidders (including myself!), but as you have a set with consecutive serial numbers, they're something special and well worth having restored into full playing order by a reputable tech. I've rebuilt sets of Louis oboes and cors (again with consecutive serial numbers) and these were fantastic instruments to work on and they played beautifully.

When Howarth took over where Louis left off, they made some clarinets (the NS1) which were probably identical to the Chas Draper model (though the early Howarth clarinets had domed pad cups with thick key arms like oboes). A pricelist of the time (1948-1949) offered several keywork options in addition to the standard 17/6, such as forked Bb, articulated G# and LH Ab/Eb, so maybe Louis clarinets also had these options too. Though Howarth clarinet production stopped sometime in the '50s and only resumed in the early '90s with a completely new model - the S1.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Author

Date

Louis & Cl clarinets new

IanH

2008-07-23 08:28

Re: Louis & Cl clarinets new

Chris P

2008-07-23 09:49