 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-12 18:54
I am a 54 year old high school band clarinet player - with my 1970 Crampon, but I just bought a small 18 inch long - clarinet - made in 1903 according to the serial number r887. What is it? it looks like a mini clarinet. I bought it because it was a buffett Crampon and it was cheap. It is in relatively good condition. Anyone know any approximate value?
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-12 21:08
Does it have a one-piece body? If you have a tuner, play a C on the instrument, and see what note the tuner says it is sounding. There are soprano clarinets that are keyed in (progressively shorter bodies and higher pitches) A, Bb, C, D, Eb and Ab (The last two are often referred to as "Sopranino clarinets").
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-09-12 21:09)
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-12 22:53
it is just like a Bb 4 pieces - seperates tha same way a Bb seperates, except everything is smaller. The 5th piece of course is the mouthpiece. Unfortunatley I cant play it, it has a spring broken, several pads missing and some cork problems, however, it is fairly clean and the wood is excellent - no cracks visible.
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-12 23:06
trying to send some photos
Post Edited (2009-09-12 23:08)
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-09-12 23:30
My guess is an Eb with an early german system, possibly from the late 18C. It's not Albert as they generally didn't have the top ring keys but German instruments did.
I'm sure they are more enlightened people here that will give you more info.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-13 00:02
Serial number r887 puts it at 1902 - 1903 - anyone have any guess what it might be worth?? I want to keep it and try to play it - Im proficient on my Bb Crampon still, but this might be fun. I will no doubt have it professionally overhauled.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-13 00:21
It's worth (to you) whatever you paid for it. It has no real collector value, even once you get it into playing condition.
Jeff
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-13 00:21
Put a reed on the mouthpiece and play open G. If it sounds concert Bb, it's an Eb clarinet at low pitch, i.e., A-440. If it plays higher and "in the crack" between notes, it's at high pitch. A low pitch Eb might be fun to use if you're up to learning the German fingerings. I high pitch Eb will be useful only for fooling around with, and not for playing with other people. I can't read the trademark, but even if it's a Buffet, Selmer or other top maker, it won't be worth much -- well under $100.
It might make a nice lamp. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2009-09-13 00:21)
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2009-09-13 15:32
The length of a standard (low pitch) Eb without mouthpiece is just under 17 inches. A high pitch Eb would be noticeably shorter, probably closer to 16 inches.
The keywork is standard Albert system. Some people still like those. If it's low pitch, I disagree with the people who are saying it has very little value -- I think it's at least valuable enough to invest in restoring it to playing condition. If it's high pitch, it might be of interest to musicians who play music from that era on period instruments.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-14 14:26
When I mentioned value, I was speaking of monetary value, should one care to sell it or to list it for insurance purposes. Albert horns are not worth much at all, nowadays. Especially considering the age and the condition shown in the photos. Once restored, it might play perfectly well, but you won't make a killing reselling it. You would be lucky to recoup the restoration costs.
Jeff
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-09-14 14:49
Molloy's identification is correct, standard (modified) albert as opposed to the original aka 'simple system'. Your dating sounds correct too. Looks like there's more to a restoration than simply pads and a couple of springs, I see a missing ring in the middle for instance. restoration would set you back a few hundred, maybe more depending how far you're willing to go. Putting in good playing order would be a good deal less and may give you something you'll like to play but won't have much resale value. As is it is defintely not a candidate for insurance listing
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-17 00:51
Looks like it is Low pitch - without the mouthpiece it is 16 3/4 inches long. The local repair facility gave me an estimate of 175.00 to restore it - and because it is low pitch they agreed, it is definetly worth the restoration. They placed an insurance value of 1200.00 on it after restoration.
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-17 00:52
Here is another question - is there a smaller case available to fit this little guy? If so anyone got any sources for me??
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-17 02:32
" They placed an insurance value of 1200.00 on it after restoration."
Was that after smoking the crack? ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
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Author: jon
Date: 2009-09-17 22:32
Well, I didnt say they knew what they were talking about! - needless to sya, based on your and several other comments, I didnt worry about the insurance part! The repair shop has a metal Eb that someone asked them to restore.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-17 23:10
The top joint rings are to vent the lower register F# properly (Th. ooo|ooo) and make the fingering simpler instead of having to open the side F key to sharpen the F# as you would do on clarinets without the rings fitted. And top C can be played as normal as the ring for LH2 closes the small vent pad on LH1 ring when using the Sp.Th. oxo|ooo fingering.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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