 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dantheman
Date: 2014-07-07 07:50
Hi,
I just purchased an Evette & Schaeffer clarinet. It was represented as being from 1955 but from what I've gleaned online it may be from the 1930's. The serial number is A115. The wood is in beautiful condition and the cork seems decent too.
Is this worth an overhaul or would the age make it not worth while? I only paid $60 for it. All the keys appear functional but it could use a good cleaning and pad replacement probably wouldn't hurt.
What does everyone think. I just need something for my daughter to learn on. She is an accomplished flute player and will be attending college this year for music education. Her HS music teacher thought a clarinet would be a good introduction to reed instruments.
Dan
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-07-07 16:35
That was my first clarinet in the 50s. It used to say "sponsored by Buffet". It was a pretty decent student clarinet. I'd suggest you have someone play it to make sure the bore has not changed so much that it can't play in tune. For sure it won't be perfect but you don't want to spend money on something that is way out of tune with itself. Sometimes clarinets left for that long, not being used, the bores change to much. Have it played.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2014-07-08 08:47
Ed, if it said "Sponsored by Buffet," you had the lower-end Evette, not an Evette & Schaffer.
Dan, is there an adjustment screw on the throat G# key? If not, you are probably right in thinking that the clarinet is from the 1930s -- or earlier. If that's the case, the problem is that it is around 80 years old and you don't know where it's been all that time. A lot of things can happen to a clarinet over 80 years, most of them bad -- especially if the clarinet is a student or intermediate model that's more than likely to have received neglect and abuse. Also, even if it has been reasonably well-cared-for, an A-prefix E&S is old technology.
The only way you can know for sure if it is a decent player is to have it put into playing condition. You might get lucky but I wouldn't count on it and I think you can do a lot better for your daughter, quite possibly for less than the cost of having your E&S reconditioned. FWIW, IMNSHO, the only E&S clarinets worth owning are those with a K-prefix and a serial number of at least K11000. But even those are something of a crap shoot because of their age.
On the other hand, your daughter could learn something about how woodwinds work by taking the clarinet apart, cleaning it up, and putting on new corks and pads (knowledge that could come in handy if she teaches children down the road). You wouldn't be out a heck of a lot more money than you already are -- and just maybe she could get the thing to play.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: dantheman
Date: 2014-07-08 22:32
Thanks for everyone's advice. The gal that works the desk at the music/repair shop is a clarinet player. She felt that the clarinet was in really good condition for it's age. There aren't any signs of abuse what so ever. New cork and pads are what the tech recommended. They're going to give the keys a light buff and clean up the mouth piece.
All in all she thought I did good with this one. She stated that she sees some really gnarly, older wooden clarinets come into their shop and this was definitely not one of those.
She was amazed at the very low serial number of A115 though. So...in a week or two, the repairs should be completed.
Dan
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