Metal (aka silver) Clarinets

[Gandalfe]

Metal soprano clarinets were popular in the early twentieth century, until plastic instruments supplanted them; metal construction is still used for the bodies of some contra-alto and contrabass clarinets, and for the necks and bells of nearly all alto and larger clarinets.

http://www.uark.edu/ua/nc/ClarinetCollections/SelmerFullBoehmMetal/logo2.jpg

The Selmer Paris Silver clarinet (http://www.uark.edu/ua/nc/NCCollectionPage/Page/SelmerMetalFullBoehm.htm) with the built-in tunable barrel is arguably one the best examples of a metal clarinet.

Orsi still makes metal clarinets and you can see some of their professional silver clarinets (http://www.orsi-wind-instruments.it/cl_professionali.htm) on their site.

[SteveSklar]

The early Selmer metal clarinets had a nonadjustable barrel. compared to the later ones with an adjustable barrel.
I have pics in the 1929 and 1931 years
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/snclarinet.htm#Selmer

[pete]

I have to do a writeup on the Haynes Thermocouple (http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b291/stauffer_503/Clainet%20Pictures/), at some point. It's the most famous of the silver clarinets -- also rarest and most expensive (the one I have pictured listed for $7K on eBay).

(See THIS (http://www.clarinet.org/fests/2003/Reeves.asp) for a little more info.) The eBay Ad excerpts:

The William S. Haynes Company began the manufacture of a double-wall, sterling-silver clarinet, based on the principal of a thermos flask, in 1926. The fabrication of this instrument continued until 1942, resulting in a total production of only 334 examples. It was the only time in the history of the Haynes Company that an instrument other than the flute was produced.

The patent for the thermoclarinet was filed on March 19, 1926, and awarded patent number 1,715,162 on May 28, 1929. The instrument consists of two, hard-drawn, sterling-silver, seamless tubes, one within the other. The bore of the inner tube matches that of a regular wood clarinet. Similarly, the outer tube matches the exterior size of a wood clarinet. Between the two tubes is a one-eighth-inch air space. A small slide, or louver, is placed at the end of the body, just above the bell. This louver can be opened, revealing the inner tube and exposing the air space. When closed, the space between the tubes is air tight. Near the top of the body is a second vent. This consists of an extended tube covered with a metal cap that renders it air tight. When the cap is removed, the outer bore is opened and the inner bore is exposed to the air. The procedure to warm the clarinet is simple. The bottom louver is opened and the top vent cap is removed. The player blows warm air into the top vent, expelling the cold air through the bottom. After several breaths the clarinet is warm and the vents are closed to seal in the warmth. The barrel of the clarinet also features a double bore. It fits tightly over the top of the body forming a tuning slide.

Nowhere on the thermoclarinet patent, nor in any advertising material or newspaper articles, is there any mention of Verne Q. Powell, co-director of Haynes at the time this instrument was designed. Yet, according to Powell, it was he who invented the warming device. So upset was Powell with this situation that he left the William S. Haynes Company, having worked there since 1913, to set up his own shop prior to July of 1926.

Excerpted from Deborah Check Reeves, "Historically Speaking," The Clarinet 31, No. 3 (June 2004), pp. 28-29.
See also THIS (http://www.usd.edu/smm/Clarinets/Haynes/HaynesClarinets.html) and the full patent (http://v3.espacenet.com/origdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US1715162&F=0&QPN=US1715162).

There's a pic (http://www.cph.rcm.ac.uk/Catalogues/Wind%20Catalogue/Clarinets4inBflat.htm#326%20C/29) of a much worse-shape horn at the RCM in London. At least it has some nice data.

Of course, I should also mention the rather oddly-shaped Linton (http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/slideandodd/linton_contrabass_clarinet/) contra.

Remember, as well, that lacquered brass was also used for a number of clarinets, just like on a sax. I rather think brass clarinets are ugly, but there's no accounting for taste.

I owned a metal Bb soprano Pan American. I rather thought it had a very sweet tone.

=========

Other resources:
* Archive.org Linky (http://web.archive.org/web/20040606102903/http://hometown.aol.com/taxisex/myhomepage/business.html)
* Sneezy.org Article (http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=202289&t=202289) (with lots of commentary by our own Terry).

[SOTSDO]

I've got a Selmer Paris "part full Boehm" metal clarinet that I picked up two years ago, and while I haven't had it restored yet (this retirement cut-back stuff accounts for that), I think it compares favorably with my Series 9 and Series 10 horns, with none of the "shrill" sound that many claim the metal horns have is evident with this instrument. (However, to be fair, I have never noticed this to be the case with the other metal clarinets that I have played over the years, either.)

Like the "Bb bright, A mellow" tone issue, this is something that needs to be tested in a double blind fashion, with well set up instruments playing the same music, performed by the same player, from behind a screen. I was a part of such a trial with numerous A, Bb, and (not so numerous) C clarinets back in the 1960's, with all of the horns being regulated first by a cooperative repair person, all playing written out, simple music (so there were no extreme key or "on the fly" transposition issues) with the playing done by competent players. What that trial proved to me (at least) was that the shrill C clarinet and the mellow A clarinet were concepts held in the mind of the player but totally absent from the point of view of the listener.

Acousticians claim that the material from which the body of a clarinet is made is largely irrelevant, and that (given adequate thickness to ensure rigidity, and assuming proper dimensional control of the finished product) a clarinet made from pasta, glass, ice or frozen KY jelly should sound the same. It's the air column vibrating within the instrument that matters, not the body material.

Well, I would like to believe the men of science telling us this. I have played well set up hard rubber horns (old ones) and ABS horns that sounded every bit as good as my vintage grenadilla instruments. But, I then took my pathetic flute playing skills and blew on a solid sterling silver headjoint at the Brook-Mays fire sale a few years ago. The embouchure that produces what can only charitably described as an average flute tone on my Gemeinhart flute headjoint comes through as wonderfully vibrant and expressive. Now, it may be that my headjoint cork is all wrong (but it isn't) or that my flute's headjoint is somehow horrible and wrong (but it doesn't appear to be), but that different material seems to make all of the difference in the world with my specifications and abilities. (Not enough, however, to get me to spring for the cost of the sliver piece - I can be extremely tight when it comes to non-clarinets.)

So, I can see why there's room to differ on this topic. And, given the horrible mechanical condition of most metal clarinets in the world, I can also account for the opinion that many have developed about the relics that remain. But, like everything else in the world, there's more to the question than first meets the eye.

[Gandalfe]

I read somewhere that in the 18th Century (or before?) that some clarinets where made of Ivory but they tended to crack rather easily. :shock:

[zagor]

I am a pretty glad owner of a misterious Bb soprano metal clarinett: on the bell’s front you can read "Elkhart Superior". on the bells back "USA" (thank you... :? ) and in the upper front "Bb" (thank you again... :? )

[pete]

I read somewhere that in the 18th Century (or before?) that some clarinets where made of Ivory but they tended to crack rather easily. :shock:
http://www.wichitaband.com/01antiqueclarinet/woodivy1.jpg

Ivory, in addition to boxwood and other woods were very common. This was just the first one on Google. In other words, the trim's ivory, not the body.

I need to check further if there are ...
* Fiberglass clarinets
* Glass clarinets

PVC has been done, particularly for contra. Hey, the Clarinet Symposium magazine had plans for one. I wish I still had that issue!

[Dave Dolson]

I have a Silver King (H.N. White Co.) Boehm-System Bb soprano clarinet in silver-plate with a sterling-silver bell (gold wash inside the bell) and two barrels, one 440 and the other 443. It is gorgeous, and plays pretty good but I prefer my Buffet wooden clarinet. Tonally, the Silver King sounds about the same to my ears (from behind the horn) but some discerning ears in the audience claimed it had a different sound than my Buffet. DAVE

[SOTSDO]

Boxwood is a less-than-stable wood, and few of the horns from the old days are in playing condition.

When I did my "bass sax survey" in the high school annuals belonging to my parents, I think that about half of the players in the three different groups were playing one form or another of metal clarinets. There were a large number of Selmer metal horns (recognizable by the "fluted metal barrels") among them. As this was during the 1930's (not all that long after the heyday of the metal horns), and during the Depression to boot, this wasn't all that surprising.

[pete]

I just noticed the "frozen KY jelly" clarinet. I don't think I'd wanna play one of those. No, I don't wanna hear a story about one if you have one, either.

Regarding material affecting sound, the consensus is still pretty much that it doesn't -- on any woodwind. It's possible that a) overall weight and b) amount of toneholes cause an appreciable affect, but I still think it boils down to, "Mmm. This Selmer 9 sounds and plays so much nicer than my Artley 5."

Anyhow, I wonder a little why there aren't more metal clarinets, particularly for students. One would assume that a metal Pan American would last your typical 10-year-old a bit longer than a plastic Bundy. I dunno if the manufacturing would be cheaper.

The Orsi 21 Metal is just about $1800.
The next Orsi I could find a price on was an Orsi & Weir for almost double that.

[pete]

Ah. PVC "soprano" clarinet designs (http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/clarinet/). See also http://doctroid.livejournal.com/tag/hom ... nstruments (http://doctroid.livejournal.com/tag/homebuilt+instruments) and http://www.geocities.com/danielbruner/i ... larA3.html (http://www.geocities.com/danielbruner/instruments/clarA3.html).

[SteveSklar]

I am a pretty glad owner of a misterious Bb soprano metal clarinett: on the bell’s front you can read "Elkhart Superior". on the bells back "USA" (thank you... :? ) and in the upper front "Bb" (thank you again... :? )
I have one of those too sitting on the shelf.
I've also run across Superior wood clarinets, made in France, which if i recall were SML stencils

[SOTSDO]

Metal clarinets are not as forgiving when exposed to shocks, tending to bend rather than flex and return as will the plastic ones. A crinkle in the sheet metal tube is very difficult to remove.

Metal clarinets are also harder to keep clean. Even a well-maintained silver plated horn will get "grotty" (as Sir Paul might say) over time. Students are not known for their fastidious behavior, and a stinking metal horn can act as a deterrent to the player (and to those around them).

Since we have metal clarinets and metal flutes (both formerly made exclusively of wood "back in the day"), I guess that it's time to ask if there are also metal oboes, English horns and bassoons? Not just those replacement instruments for military groups ("Russian bassoons" and the like), but an actual attempt to replicate a bassoon in metal.

Would (pun intended) a metal oboe sound "more shrill" than a regular one? Would you even be able to tell? And, would the player of a metal bassoon have to worry about boot rot (remember, saliva has an acid component to it)? Would the horns over-populate eBay like the silver clarinets do? The world wonders...

[pete]

I've seen several metal oboes. Moenning made one in the form of the Saxoboe. I'm sure there are others.

[SteveSklar]

So if we took a stuffed dead duck, carved out the interior to a saxophone specification. Would it sound like a saxophone or just quack notes out ?

and how would that affect the old adage ... if it looks like a duck ... it must be a duck ??

[Gandalfe]

I'm luving this picture-laden of silver clarinets: http://www.clarinette-metal.fr/galerie_de_photos.htm. Some of the instruments and case don't even look like they have been touched.

http://www.clarinette-metal.fr/etui%20selmer.jpg

[Carl H.]

WOW, (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Wm-S-Haynes-Sterling-Silver-Clarinet-RARE_W0QQitemZ290242502675QQihZ019QQcategoryZ119029QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) I'm glad I'm broke.

[tictactux]

WOW, (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Wm-S-Haynes-Sterling-Silver-Clarinet-RARE_W0QQitemZ290242502675QQihZ019QQcategoryZ119029QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) I'm glad I'm broke.

Pfff. I just managed to resist the temptation.

[pete]

WOW, (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Wm-S-Haynes-Sterling-Silver-Clarinet-RARE_W0QQitemZ290242502675QQihZ019QQcategoryZ119029QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) I'm glad I'm broke.
It's the same one I mention from Post 3 (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9149&postcount=3).

[SOTSDO]

...But not (apparently) the upper end of the line. I've got a "half full Boehm" Selmer from the same period (with the "fluted barrel") that would drop people's jaws if only I had the time and inclination to get it fixed up.

[Carl H.]

It's the same one I mention from Post 3 (http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9149&postcount=3).

But now only $6,000!

[SOTSDO]

I imagine that many would like to have a Hayes clarinet, but not at that price point.

(Note that the prior post indicates that I edited it. I did, but in error...)

[pete]

Not a problem.

I actually have seen another Thermocouple sold, once, for $10K. It may very well be that it's rare + excellent name + actually plays really decently. If there are only 344 of them, you've got the "rare" part down!

I should write something about actually collecting horns, one day. I'm more interested in good playing instruments, tho, not investment opportunities.

[Adagio]

I have a Selmer Paris metal clarinet with the microtuner barrel; it's had new pads put on and other adjustments made. However, I find it very hard blowing compared to just about anything else I've tried (e.g. R13 and even plastic clarinets).

With its Selmer HS* mouthpiece and reeds from 1.5 to 3, it's equally hard blowing and squeaks quite a bit. I switched to a Hite Premier and a #2 reed which has helped a little, but that same mouthpiece on other clarinets like the R13 plays just fine.

I used to have a similar problem with a Cannonball saxophone and their #7 mouthpiece; I switched to a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece which is more open while keeping the same 2.5 reed and it was much better. So, I think I need to do something similar with my metal clarinet, but don't know where to go from the Hite Premier.

[Connical]

There is a armored Conn 424 on Ebay right now. Seems to be on the pricey side, but I don't know the value of these metal Conns.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Conn-ARMORED-Silver-Clarinet_W0QQitemZ270260338296QQihZ017QQcategoryZ119029QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Gandalfe]

Warning, this from a sax player now neophyte clarinet player.

I never got the metal mouthpiece that came with mine to work well for me. I hope to have a mouthpiece tech look at it sometime as there is no obvious fault. I ended up trying a number of mouthpieces before I decided my Ralph Morgan piece worked the best seconded by the J.D. Hite. And that said, I still prefer the modern keyworks found on my Buffet R-13 Festival.

[pete]

I have a Selmer Paris metal clarinet with the microtuner barrel; it's had new pads put on and other adjustments made. However, I find it very hard blowing compared to just about anything else I've tried (e.g. R13 and even plastic clarinets).

With its Selmer HS* mouthpiece and reeds from 1.5 to 3, it's equally hard blowing and squeaks quite a bit. I switched to a Hite Premier and a #2 reed which has helped a little, but that same mouthpiece on other clarinets like the R13 plays just fine.

I used to have a similar problem with a Cannonball saxophone and their #7 mouthpiece; I switched to a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece which is more open while keeping the same 2.5 reed and it was much better. So, I think I need to do something similar with my metal clarinet, but don't know where to go from the Hite Premier.
Welcome to the forum!

I agree with Gandalfe: you're probably going to have to go down to a store and try out a lot of mouthpieces. I lucked out with my Selmer C85/120: I had been playing a Vandoren B45 and a friend of mine was playing the C85. I liked his more than mine and he liked mine more than his. Easy trade.

@ CONNICAL, seems to me that with a name like yours, you must purchase the shiny.

The "armored" clarinet -- that'd be "double walled" (http://www.angelfire.com/in2/easyliving/gallery/clarinet.html), whereas most commonly found metal clarinets are "skeleton" or "single walled" -- are uncommon. However, if you look at the prices on the page linked in the ad, they're all over the place. This one also had WAY too much work done to it.

[SOTSDO]

This one also had WAY too much work done to it.

...as well as some "work" that would have better been left undone...

[Connical]

...
@ CONNICAL, seems to me that with a name like yours, you must purchase the shiny.

The "armored" clarinet -- that'd be "double walled" (http://www.angelfire.com/in2/easyliving/gallery/clarinet.html), whereas most commonly found metal clarinets are "skeleton" or "single walled" -- are uncommon. However, if you look at the prices on the page linked in the ad, they're all over the place. This one also had WAY too much work done to it.

I agree. Sort of a Frankenette creation. What does the typical Conn
armored go far ? I havn't seen enough of them to get a good grasp on their fair market value. I'd like to get one to mess around with, but since I do so much of that, my first rule is to buy it right so I can get out from under it later with just a little loss, or even a small profit . =)

...as well as some "work" that would have better been left undone...

Yeah he sure took some liberties with that one. Gluing it together ?
And only $1200. for his creative problem solving. I wonder if he used Super Glue ! At least it wasn't duct tape ! =)

[pete]

First of all, it seems he also has a double-walled Eb clarinet (http://cgi.ebay.com/Conn-Wonder-1890s-Silver-Metal-Eb-Albert-Clarinet_W0QQitemZ180271027153QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180271027153&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318) for sale, too. Albert system.

Well, the seller says that the 424N is similar to the 444N and he's selling a 444N for under $350 ....

BTB, the Conn Loyalist says that the "armored" models were 624 and 1534. Doing some minor Googling suggests that they may be right. Whichita Band Instruments (http://www.wichitaband.com/used.html) has one on their website (see the link; search for "624N") and a picture of the catalog (http://www.wichitaband.com/01clarinet/connb215k1.jpg). Much nicer looking and it was $1025 -- and WBI is overpriced, usually. So I'd call "$1025" the high end.

The 624N is in a few museums. That's gotta count for something.

I want this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Conn-Clarinet-vintage-1950s-pearwood-or-violin-finish_W0QQitemZ230277115847QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230277115847&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318). I don't care if it plays well. It's pretty.

[Connical]

Wow ! What a honey ! The pic showing the chipped tenon, the wood looks like Oak? I had no idea that they made such nice Pan Ams. I always figured they would dress up just the Conn's. I see it's got one of the cheapo plastic Pan Am mpc's. I've had a couple of white Pan Am alto mpc's . They never impressed me much. Have you played one of the clarinet versions ?

And thanks for the armored info. At those prices, I'll hope to stumble across a bargain somewhere. Just another
for the list. (Long list) =)

[pete]

I want it for $15 so I can hang it on my wall.

One story I heard about these is that they were made from airplane propellers from WW II planes.

[Connical]

Props ! If that's so, my guess is it's a really hard wood like ASH maybe. Conn was known to buy out stuff on the cheap. Like Vito's old tooling. War surplus would of been dirt cheap back then. It wouldn't surprise me if it was true.

Where did you dig that trivia up ?

[Gandalfe]

I want this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Conn-Clarinet-vintage-1950s-pearwood-or-violin-finish_W0QQitemZ230277115847QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230277115847&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318). I don't care if it plays well. It's pretty.Too late someone bought it. :twisted:

[SOTSDO]

By the time of World War II, the general use of wooden aircraft propellors was a thing of the past. Hamilton Standard (the big designer of propellors at that point) made them in metal (big honking metal forgings), and the rest of the world had followed suit.

The props from World War I were made from laminated wood, but the cross sections of their blades would have left little margin for error if you tried to turn a clarinet out of it. (The "cross-wise" grain in the propellor would also cause problems, running the wood (and the laminations) at an angle through any clarinet made from them - the fact that this is not seen is strong evidence that propellors were not used.) Also, with the stresses involved and the damage that old props managed to absorb, the wood would not be a good raw material for sockets and tone hole.

I imagine that Conn laid up (or caused to have laid up) the raw materials themselves (wood was not as controlled during World War II rationing as were other materials), and then turned the stuff down on the same lathes used with solid woods. As with any laminated wood product, the areas to worry about are the lamination boundaries, and the single Conn propellor wood horn that I've seen had some suspicious looking spots in the bore (which would have been drilled out, rather than turned).

But, they sure look spectacular...

[pete]

Better listen to him, Flounder, he's in pre-med.

As to where I heard that, probably one of the Clarinet Symposium mags in the 1980's.

[SOTSDO]

Just now, there is a "up end" Selmer metal clarinet with the fluted barrel that is for sale on eBay. It's not a full Boehm, but it does have the Bb/Eb fork mechanism. Get it while you can...

[pete]

That'd be this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/c1928-HENRI-SELMER-SILVER-METAL-CLARINET-VERY-RARE-L-K_W0QQitemZ360099897882QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360099897882&_trkparms=72%3A1240%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) for $1249.

I'd call that overly expensive and it needs a lot of work.

Edit: there's a double-walled Penzel-Mueller up, too. Almost $1900 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-double-walled-Silver-Penzel-Mueller-Bb-Clarinet_W0QQitemZ180300484227QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180300484227&_trkparms=72%3A1240|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14).

[tjontheroad]

I came across a Chedeville Paris metal clarinet over the weekend that I offerred to trade for. Needs work (pads and some minor rust), yet still plays nicely. Anyone have info on these models? I'll post a photo later today.

[Gandalfe]

I came across a Chedeville Paris metal clarinet over the weekend that I offerred to trade for. Needs work (pads and some minor rust), yet still plays nicely. Anyone have info on these models? I'll post a photo later today.What would/did you trade for it?

[tjontheroad]

What would/did you trade for it?

I offered him my Martin handcraft alto.

Edited to add... I found this website link (previosly posted by you) on SOTW;

http://www.silver-clarinet.com/

Lots of good info.

[tjontheroad]

Here's a pic below. It doesn't look as bad in person. Sorry, it's not a "Chedeville Paris" as I'd remembered. It's a "Greville Paris". The engraving is very small. No serial # that can be found. From what I can get via search, it's a US Military import from France. Nothing I can find as to the original maker. It looks like Noblet stencil. That's a best guess. Plays in tune and sounds like, well... a clarinet ;-)

http://web.mac.com/tjontheroad1/iWeb/For%20Sale%20Photos/For%20Sale%20post%20page_files/IMG_0945.jpg

[tictactux]

It looks like Noblet stencil. That's a best guess.
Not, it's not. Barrel and ring between body and bell are (too) different. Plus, it's a one-piece body.
Plays in tune and sounds like, well... a clarinet ;-)
That's what counts, innit?

[tjontheroad]

Not, it's not. Barrel and ring between body and bell are (too) different. Plus, it's a one-piece body.

That's what counts, innit?

Are not the early Noblet one piece like these ones pictured here? It could just be a copy?

http://www.clarinette-metal.fr/galerie_de_photos.htm

[Shi-Ku Chishiki]

I'm luving this picture-laden of silver clarinets: http://www.clarinette-metal.fr/galerie_de_photos.htm. Some of the instruments and case don't even look like they have been touched.

http://www.clarinette-metal.fr/etui%20selmer.jpg

After looking at your photo it just took me the last half hour to clean up my keyboard where I had been drooling all over it. What a piece!

Shi-Ku Chishiki ShiKu.Chishiki@Gmail.com

[SOTSDO]

The "up end" Selmer horns all have the separate barrel, as seen in the gorgeous photos of the horns above. The key on Selmers is to look for the fluted barrel; that's the indicator.

I've decided that I'll look around a bit for a Bb Selmer barrel, but if I can't find one, I'll shoot for a complete horn and scavenge the part that way.

[Gandalfe]

Here's mine with the fluted barrel that Terry mentions:

http://www.gandalfe.net/images/saxpics/selmerparissilver_med.jpg

[SOTSDO]

Just now, there is a metal Selmer HS* mouthpiece on sale on eBay. The owner is asking $500 or so in American money for it.

I made a $125 offer, but the offer was immediately rejected. It will be interesting to see if the item moves, or if I later get an offer to purchase at my price.

Too bad, all in all - it's even the right facing...

[Gandalfe]

Just now, there is a metal Selmer HS* mouthpiece on sale on eBay. The owner is asking $500 or so in American money for it.

I made a $125 offer, but the offer was immediately rejected. It will be interesting to see if the item moves, or if I later get an offer to purchase at my price.

Too bad, all in all - it's even the right facing...My metal Slemer HS* mouthpiece plays for crap so I use a newer one and just show the original one.

[dream62]

The orsi silver clarinet actually It's very expensive produced, it's
2300 euros concerning the one piece body silver and 13000 euros the detachable model

[kevgermany]

http://cgi.ebay.de/V-KOHLERT-SONS-GRASLITZ-GIANT-SILVER-BASS-CLARINET-OLD-/110694053174?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item19c5e13536

Odd ... Look at the keys by the bell. Wrongly assembled?

[Gandalfe]

http://cgi.ebay.de/V-KOHLERT-SONS-GRASLITZ-GIANT-SILVER-BASS-CLARINET-OLD-/110694053174?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item19c5e13536

Odd ... Look at the keys by the bell. Wrongly assembled?Wow, that venerable instrument has taken some abuse.

[Chris J]

http://cgi.ebay.de/V-KOHLERT-SONS-GRASLITZ-GIANT-SILVER-BASS-CLARINET-OLD-/110694053174?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item19c5e13536

Odd ... Look at the keys by the bell. Wrongly assembled?

Very wrongly assembled! Bit of a lower joint / upper joint confusion going on there...

But the close ups are interesting. The left side C lever is on the upper joint, and looks like it connects to the LJ with the second of 2 bridges.

Chris

[pete]

If you're looking for a date for that one, it's about mid-1920's.

I'm rather surprised it's at $557 US, especially as it needs, well, EVERYTHING. There's also the patch on the neck. And the strong possibility of high pitch.