 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: urbancowboy0307
Date: 2009-01-14 05:13
hey guys,
I'm a trumpet/sax player by trade, but i work at a music store and always take home what instruments that can't be fixed (or aren't worth it) to use for parts.
One of the instruments I got appears to be a LaFayette Paris clarinet, no serial # the only markings other than the brand are "C LP" which I'm assuming stands for key of "C" and low pitch.
Any ideas what it's worth? or how old it might be?
thanks for any help
:-D
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Author: modernicus
Date: 2009-01-14 12:54
Hi. there. This clarinet was probably around the first part of the 20th century 1900-1930 if it is marked Low Pitch. Is it Boehm or Albert system? If it is Boehm, many clarinets from that era have a single axle for the left hand spatula keys and shared throat A+ G#/Ab posts, and a peanut shaped thumbrest mounting plate with an up and down screw configuration? Yes? I have the impression that this is a stencil brand. As for value, it should be more valuable than an equivalent brand/age of Bb. In fair condition (needing overhaul), I've seen a range on the auction site go for $80-180 for some antique stencil/unknown brand Boehm C's in wood and hard rubber. I had to abstain from bidding any higher on one C from a similar era as yours last week because the funds were diverted to major plumbing repair at the homestead, but it went for $81. Early last year, I lost an auction for a Boehm hard rubber C by a dollar- it went for $151. I've seen some higher prices for the old Conn hard rubber C's, even into the $300-500 range IIRC. The other brands I've watched fell somewhere in between depending on playing status. More prestigious brands and newer models sell for much more. Albert C's are much more common on auction and the prices I've seen are all over the map from well under $100 to well into the hundreds depending on condition, keywork, brand, etc...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-01-14 13:34
I have a Lafayette Paris Bb clarinet in hard rubber. The horn is well made and plays well. I have tried to sell it twice on "the auction site" with no luck.
Bob Draznik
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Author: urbancowboy0307
Date: 2009-01-14 16:47
Attachment: 102_0063.JPG (976k)
Attachment: 102_0064.JPG (939k)
Attachment: 102_0065.JPG (925k)
hey guys,
thanks for the info.
Well it's defently made of wood.
But not being a clarinet player, i'm not really sure what you mean with the differences between the two styles.
I'm attaching some pictures hopefully that'll help.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-01-14 17:28
This one is a simple (or Albert) system. But being low pitch could count in its favour.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-01-14 22:21
Bill, IMO you have a horn there that probably is more valuable than mine.
Bob Draznik
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Author: modernicus
Date: 2009-01-15 12:57
It could definitely be of interest to somebody playing Klezmer, certain types of Greek music, etc...
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Author: clonestar
Date: 2012-12-24 21:21
Bob: I also have an older Lafayette Paris Bb clarinet. (S/N: 106) It's stamped "Made In France" on the lower stack and looks to be wood. Haven't found much additional info on year of manufacture, but it looks like it might at least make a decent student horn after restoration. If you know of some place that might have information on the Lafayette, I'd be really interested. Thanks.
Don
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-12-25 00:17
Earlier this year I posted about a C clarinet of similar vintage that I bought on EBay and restored. I payed, from memory, $A88 ($US85) for it and it restored beautifully. Initially it had tuning issues, but after I fixed a crack in the barrel it worked fine. I use it for playing flute music with a guitar group. Mine has no makers stamp, but it's pretty much identical to Buffet C's of the era.
Tony F.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-12-25 02:39
See my previous post. This is the clarinet mentioned.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html?1,2929/DSCN1133.JPG
Tony F.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2012-12-26 23:34
Hi Tony - nice job on that horn!
AFAIK clarinets marked "Lafayette Paris" are most probably by Couesnon which used the name in the early C20. "Lafayette Paris" was a stencil name used by Bruno.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-12-28 10:53
Sharp looking lil' C you've got there, Tony!
Lafayette was an entry-level line of instruments made by Couesnon. They're most widely remembered today for the post-WWII Lafayette cornets which were, and still are, reputed to be quite good.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-12-28 11:24
Thanks Gents. Plays as good as it looks. Some lovely wood in it.
Tony F.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2012-12-28 17:48
Several years ago, I bought one of these on eBay for $100. The seller's pictures looked pretty rough but it cleaned up quite nicely. The wood is rather darker than yours. In fact, the grain was so tight on the wood on my lower joint that, when I gave the instrument a wash with Murphy's Oil Soap, I thought for a while that it might be plastic. It was one of my first efforts at restoration and is not a great player. Maybe I need to revisit it but I doubt I will ever use it for any serious performing. At the time I bought it, it satisfied two curiosities, a C clarinet and a simple system clarinet to fool around with.
The barrel is simply marked, "France." The upper joint has "Lafayette" inscribed inside the top of an oval and "France" inscribed inside the bottom of the oval. Above the pad cup, in very small lettering, is "C" over "LP." The lower joint repeats the "C" over "LP" where logos often appear but there is no Lafayette logo. The bell repeats the "Lafayette Paris" logo found on the top joint. The instrument has no serial number. I think it might have come with a (standard soprano clarinet sized) nice wooden mouthpiece. But, if so, I co-opted it for other use.
According the the person I bought mine from, during the late part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries, these clarinets were imported in decent quantity for wind bands in the coal mining region around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a descendent of one such miner and, at the time I bought mine, he had a few more of these clarinets on eBay.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: GrumpyMiddleAgeMan
Date: 2020-06-20 00:27
Sorry about the resurrection, I picked up a Lafayette Paris lp B with some interesting key work. I have broke it down, gave it a cleaning and have a few minor and not so minor cracks to attend to. The top of the upper has a blob of what I'm guessing is a hard rubber or some similar cement holding a crack I'm guessing. I will be sanding it off to see what is under later on.
The bell has 2 nasty cracks basically splitting it in half I will be gluing, mouth piece is wood and looks in fair condition.
What I am after right now is some sort of date on it and key system. I can not find a serial on it. I'm pretty sure it is a stencil, not sure if it is a Bruno or cousnon as far as that is important. There is a 8z or something like that marked under a key. If anyone can supply some info I would be greatful.
I had tried attaching pics, donsnt look like they have been attached. Maybe?
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPrYK_BHaJXsO1luSHf648lyqttz0SugQkQlQ8g
Post Edited (2020-06-20 00:45)
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