Author: Verdi
Date: 2022-12-20 06:01
A bit if info and background:
The clarinets come from Bendigo Victoria AU, the seller is a vintage shop that cleared a deceased estate but, focusing on mid century furniture, had no clue nor interest in valuing this item, so the owner set up an eBay auction at $0.99, and I won it at AU$365.
The long and the short clarinets (I don’t know the pitch) have various trade marks on body, barrel, bell and mouthpiece: S A Chappell, S A Chappell 52 New Bond St London, E Albert A Brussell, Approved by Mr Lazarus. The short clarinet’s serial number is 2300. Both have cracks on the barrels but are still airtight. No other cracks anywhere, and they show very little signs of play. I assume that both clarinets are an early Eugene Albert manufacture as they have the rings (or glasses) patented by Chappell as an improvement on the Müller clarinet, but don’t have the patent C# characteristic of the Albert system. Would guess 1850/1860?
The middle clarinet is a straight up Müller system made by Goutrot Ainè a Paris, so I assume it’s a bit older (1930/40?). It has absolutely no cracks although it’s been played more extensively, and comes with a quirky wooden mouthpiece cap. The ligature has a failed weld repair
I tested the three clarinet for about ten minutes each with their own mouthpieces and a v12 reed 3 strength ( a modern mouthpiece won’t fit). The two Alberts have some trouble on the high notes but have a nice warm tone. I was surprised by the Goutrot’s ability to play flawlessly from top to bottom with a tone I never experienced on a clarinet.
There is no cork on tenons, but a sort of twine that still seems to seal well.
The case was probably the most interesting piece for me. It is in an incredibly good condition for the age, the velvet is very clean and locks, latches and hinges are well built and work like clockworks. It makes me think the the set was owned by a professional and must have cost quite a bit at the time. There are several secret compartments that house a cleaning rod and cloth, a lovely reed case with six reeds, more loose reeds, two ointment tubes and a mysterious flat stone.
Any thoughts? I loved the whole thing and felt like a kid at Christmas when I opened it, but it would be nice to get more info, thoughts on the rarity of the set, and some advice on how to treat and restore it. Many thanks
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The Clarinet BBoard
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