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'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: pukkapete
Date: 2014-10-30 13:59

'Davis' clarinet Selmer connection?
Has anyone heard of a 'Davis' clarinet?

"On the bell it simply says 'Davis' Paris.
It has been suggested that it might be a Malerne stensil. Another suggestion is that it is a Selmer instrument that Ben Davis 'improved'. A third suggestion is that Selmer produced a few instruments called 'Davis' in recognition of Ben Davis' long service with the company. Have you ever come across a 'Davis' Paris?"

The bore has had the taper increased and the key holes have been opened out. It has no identifying numbers or manufacturer name.

The clarinet has a very nice articulated G# plus one roller.

Anyone have info to share?

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-10-30 15:44

Doesn't look very Selmer like, but it could be a Couesnon as they often fitted a roller Ab/Eb key to their clarinets.

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

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-10-30 16:41

So how does it play?

Ken Shaw

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: pukkapete
Date: 2014-10-30 17:47

Well....I'm not a player.
It belonged to my uncle who played it in bands since he bought it sometime before the 2nd World War, right up until just a few years before he died recently. I heard him play many times and it sounded good to me!
My father inherited it and had it fully refurbished. The restorer who did the work played it and said it is a good instrument that plays well.
I took it to a big woodwind Dealer in London for an opinion. One of their staff played it to check everything worked properly and he said it plays well.
More than that I cannot tell you.

Peter

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: modernicus
Date: 2014-11-09 21:35

I'd second Chris's guess, I've seen pictures of a number of Couesnons with this keywork configuration.

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: derf5585
Date: 2014-11-10 00:57

Can a boehm be retrofitted with that roller?

fsbsde@yahoo.com

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-11-10 01:39

Yes - it will involve some rebuilding of the touchpiece and fitting the roller, then replating the key once done to match the rest of the keywork.

It would be better to have rollers on both F/C and Ab/Eb touchpieces as on German/Oehler system clarinets (and saxes).

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

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: pukkapete
Date: 2014-11-10 15:44

I've looked at some Couesnon pictures on Google and can certainly see a similarity....but why no markings?

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-11-10 18:21

pukkapete wrote:

> I've looked at some Couesnon pictures on Google and can
> certainly see a similarity....but why no markings?

It is a "stencil".

http://www.clarinetpages.net/vintage-odd-brands/what-s-my-french-stencil-clarinet-worth

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Re: 'Davis' Bb Clarinet

Author: pukkapete
Date: 2014-11-11 16:19

I've been looking at more photos.......the keys etc, which I believe are nickel,look remarkably similar to a Couesnon Monopole on Sax on the Web........but presumably a Stencil version?
Could that be?
Is that good or bad?
And perhaps 'Davis' is the person who tapered it and opened out the holes?
Could that be possible?
Is the piece of ebony.....like a roller.....on one of the group of 4 keys peculiar to Couesnon or a common feature?

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