 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Blownaway
Date: 2017-01-21 08:12
Greetings All,
I learned Eb alto sax in school and picked up the clarinet as an adult and have been utilizing this wonderful forum as an invaluable resource for some time. However, it appears I've stumbled upon a fairly rare bird and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on it as I've come up short here, and everywhere else.
Attached are pictures of my Couesnon Monopole Conservotoires, full Boehm, uni-body clarinet in "A", S/N 20750. There are no obvious stamps on the keys so I'm not sure if they are plated nickel or sterling but, as you can see, the fingerings are gold plated, if that's any indication. The horn is in excellent shape overall and plays beautifully (certainly better than I do, anyway).
I have four other Bb horns (Yamaha 52, E&S Master (S/N 7056), Tempest (hard rubber) and a Vito Resi) but this in my first "A' and I'm curious to learn whatever I can about it. Near as I can tell, it appears to be a professional level instrument that probably cost somebody a fair amount of money back in its day. Unfortunately, it came sans provenance so, I'm curious if something like this would be a high end production piece, or perhaps commissioned?
Any info would be greatly appreciated and I can post more pic's if needed.
Thanks!
CR
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-01-21 11:36
They're normally unplated nickel silver - maybe someone had all the touchpieces and ring keys gold plated as they were allergic to the base metal.
They are nice clarinets - I overhauled a double wall metal one last month and have overhauled and serviced other wooden ones (both Bb and A). My C clarinet is a Couesnon stencil.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2017-01-21 18:13
A long time ago, here in France, quite a few top professional clarinetists still played Couesnon. One of them was Monsieur Akoka, who premiered Messiaen's Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps. They must have had something going for them. I have one from the late 19th century in my collection.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Blownaway
Date: 2017-01-22 05:13
Thank you for the replies.
I knew the CMC to be highly regarded but, otherwise, there seems to be little information about them (especially unique specimens like this). From what I can gather, the company was primarily brass and percussion oriented with forays into woodwinds and other instruments.
Given the record-destroying fire that brought an end to their clarinet production, how would one go about determining the approximate age and/or if the keywork is original? It certainly looks to be. If the gold plating was done later, it was done exceptionally well. It never occurred to me that it may not be original.
My local tech is out of town so it will be a few weeks before I can have him look at it. Meanwhile, considering a replacement would be difficult (if not impossible) to come by, any thoughts on a reasonable value for insurance purposes would also be appreciated. To what other well-known clarinet models would this be comparable?
Best,
CR
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Author: ruben
Date: 2017-01-22 11:49
Dear Blownaway,
Are you sure, when you mentioned a fire, you aren't confusing Couesnon with Leblanc? I know the latter suffered a major fire. Leblanc was just down the road from Couesnon. When did Couesnon stop producing clarinets? I should think shortly after the war. Their building still stands-on a little island on a river. I saw it recently. It's been turned into a magnificent private residence.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Blownaway
Date: 2017-01-22 20:08
Good morning/afternoon Ruben,
According to this (and other sources): http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/Couesnon%3F.html there was a fire in 1969 that destroyed all company records and brought an end to the production of their clarinets (and probably other instruments as well).
The company was sold in 1999 and operates today as PGM Couesnon: http://www.pgm-couesnon.fr/ and now makes only brass and percussion instruments.
The article also states that the model "Monopole Conservatoire" first appeared in the 60's but based upon further investigation, and similar serial numbers, it appears my horn was made in the early, to mid 1950's.
Regardless, the more I play it, the more I like it. It clearly has the best tone of all my horns (the Yamaha being next in line) and has me already looking for a Bb version : )
Best,
CR
Side topic: Has Steve Sklar's Clarinet Perfection website moved? Seems like it was a valuable resource at one point.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2017-01-22 20:28
Dear Blownaway,
I did a bit of research on some French sites and they totally confirm what you have said. It's not because Leblanc burned down that Couesnon didn't! More than one place can burn down, unfortunately. The Monopole Conservatoire model was their top-of-the-line instrument. It seems to me that you're on to a real gem; I'm jealous. They show up here in France on second-hand sites for about 500 to 600 euros/dollars. Enjoy your instrument!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Blownaway
Date: 2017-01-23 20:53
Came across this link to a Couesnon catalog from 1912 on another forum...
http://www.luthiers-mirecourt.com/couesnon_1912_1.htm
Unfortunately, my French is nowhere near as good as Ruben's English but, it seems as if the "Monopole" was the upper range of instruments and the "Conservatoires" designation was later added to the best of the "Monopoles".
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Author: Elias PuroSom
Date: 2023-03-01 04:02
Attachment: Couesnon Monopole.jpg (113k)
Hi, so you are the happy owner of this beautiful clarinet.
The clarinet was played by military policies in Brasil. The yours I rescued from a military daughter from City Ipatinga, MG.
I cleaned all, instaled new pads, corks and the gold plated.
This week I found another two like this. I will refurbished them too.
Best regards from Brasil.
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