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Can't find any specifics on Marigaux Clarinet

Author: ystrdyisgone
Date: 2015-03-02 05:16

Hello all, I found this site through the research I've been doing recently on a clarinet I have. It is a King Marigaux Bb wooden clarinet. Based on what I have found, it is a vintage clarinet, late 60s, early 70s? The numbers stamped on the barrel throw me off a bit though, there is a 351 at the base of the upper register barrel, 355 at top of lower register barrel, as well as 351 at base of the lower register barrel. The logos have a crown at the top with the word "king" underneath, and then marigaux, paris, france, "T"

Can anyone give me concrete details on the level of this instrument, and approximate value? It plays beautifully compared to other clarinets I have tried.

Thanks ahead of time!

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Re: Can't find any specifics on Marigaux Clarinet

Author: gkern
Date: 2015-03-02 06:40

Hi Yesterdays - Your clarinet was made by SML (Strasser, Marigaux and LeMaire) in France for the KIng Music Co. in the USA. I have one like it, a model 355T; the other number (351) is the serial number of your horn.

This is the 'pro' model of the three versions marketed by King. I place mine at the top of my collection of vintage clarinets, even above a Selmer Centered Tone. It has a wonderful sweet tone, and plays easily and quite in tune.

I am curious what mouthpiece you are using with the Marigaux?

In good condition, these horns should bring a nice price on that auction site, and they don't appear that often. I am always on the lookout for another one. I recently acquired the student model, a King Strasser; the intermediate model was the KIng LeMaire.

Gary K

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Re: Can't find any specifics on Marigaux Clarinet

Author: ystrdyisgone
Date: 2015-03-02 07:34

Thanks for the specifics Gary! Do you know if my estimate on date of manufacture is accurate? I couldn't find any serial lists for these.

Awesome! That explains why it plays so easily, and sounds so good. It seems to be very forgiving.

I am using the mouthpiece that came with it, it says Noblet, Paris France, and "2V"

This one looks to be in good condition considering the age, there is one joint that could use a re-cork, and it could probably use a re-pad. But the keywork looks and feels great as far as I can tell. The thumb rest did break at some point, but luckily it didn't pull out, the rest itself snapped off and the plate remains.

I did find this site http://krassmouthpieces.hostei.com/store.htm where a King Marigaux 350 sold for just shy of 1000. Would the 355T bring in much more money, or does it really just depend on condition?

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Re: Can't find any specifics on Marigaux Clarinet

Author: gkern
Date: 2015-03-02 23:07

Yesterdays, your date range is correct, probably nearer to 1960.

Vytas Krass also thinks very highly of this clarinet, and I believe he feels the 350 may be superior to the 355T; he would probably be happy to give you his opinion also, why don't you drop him an email from his web site.

As to price, bear in mind that the clarinet shown as sold had received his ultra fine reconditioning treatment...

Gary K

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Re: Can't find any specifics on Marigaux Clarinet

Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-03-03 03:06

I overhauled a set of Marigaux clarinets a few years back for an orchestral player and they were both lovely players.

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

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