METHODS OF IDENTIFYING A CLARINET
Sometimes a clarinet may not be readily identifiable. Some, for instance, may say Buffet on it but it may not be known by the owner what kind of Buffet it is. Others may be a stencil, or an instrument that is based on another manufacturers instrument. And, unfortunately, there can be alot stencils out there.
The following will give you identifiable factors to look at to assist in determining what make and model stencil or clarinet you may own. A search through ClarinetPerfection.com may yield more information about your particular clarinet.
But, keep in mind there are so many potential vintage stencils out there that you may never find out. But there are instances, such as a very old Sears-Roebuck clarinet that ended up being identified as a SML stencil. So sometimes there are nice "jewels" out there hiding under another name.
NOTE (disclaimer): Much of the identifiable comments are generalizations and are not true of all makes and models of clarinets. And some names, such as SML are their newest names and not the historical names.
The items are examples of a couple clarinets. They do not include all clarinets and thus other clarinets may have variations. This simply provides what you need to look for to assist in identifying the brand and model of clarinet that you are trying to identify. If you are unsure of the brand and model and age of your clarinet these attributes will assist someone else n determining your clarinet.
Of course, pictures help greatly and descriptions of any emblems
UPPER JOINT
Throat Key Setup
posts on throat key - 4 total posts (2 per key) or do they share a post and thus create an "L" shape
"L" configuration - normally associated with older instruments, such as pre-1950s Buffet and other brands.
Throat keys with Shared L post
Separate throat key posts - usually associated with post-1950s (varies with manufacturer).
Throat keys with Separate posts
Trill Key Guide - Sheet metal versus Barrel shaped
trill key guide - normally barrel shaped or flat sheet metal shaped. These are simply the guides you see for the longest trill keys to prevent them from moving side to side while holding the clarinet.
Slotted Barrel Guide
Flat Metal Guide
TRILL KEY DESIGN
trill keys - do they curve to the side or are in basically a straight line. Leblanc is the only manufacturer that comes to mind that uses inline trill keys, most others have offset trill keys.
Inline trill keys - the keys "jump" over the other toneholes versus curving off to the side
Inline Trill Keys
Offset Trill Keys
Do some of the trill keys share a post/pivot
In the upper Lower Joint you will notice that there is one post to support the two spatula keys
In the lower clarinet you will notice two posts to support each key individually. The shared post for the trill keys is commonly found on older clarinets.
Top 3 posts, Lower 4 posts
Shape and design of the register tube
The shape and design of the register vent can sometime help identify a clarinet BUT it can vary over the years for each manufacturer. Buffet uses, and has used, a fairly simple register vent except for really old ones), Selmer has had various shapes and sizes in the vintage years, Leblanc has had raised vents in this example. They all can assist in identfying a particular brand clarinet.
Register key shape / design We are not talking about the part that you touch, but the arm especially near the cup - does it raise up a bit or other variations.
Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer CT
flat spring v needle spring on C#/G#
FLAT
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Buffet/EarlyR13/Gspring1.jpg
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Buffet/EarlyR13/Gspring2.jpg
NEEDLE - the needle spring will be very difficult to see as it is attached to the post in the area that the keywork pivots. But if you don't see the flat spring, then it has a needle spring.
THROAT KEY WITH OR WITHOUT ADJUSTMENT SCREW The two top keys intersect each other. The side Ab key may or may not have an adjustment screw. Adjustment screws may not exist on much older clarinets.
Throat Bb with and without adjustment screw
FULL WOOD BORE, OR THE OCCASIONAL ODDITY OF A METAL LINER
Wood Bore v Metal Liner
LOWER JOINT
Side LH pinky spatula keys share a post/pivot
Top Single post, lower has individual posts
Side keys use a pin or regular lifter mechanism for the lower keys
Top Regular lifter, lower pin lifter
The advantage the pin lifter has is that the Left Hand pinky spatula will articulate with the Rght Hand keys. The lifter mechanism thoush is may laso be balanced as such as they also articulate. But the pin forces the situation. Of course, the pin/hole design may also have some slop on it and develop a noisy mechanism. But those situations can be corrected by a savvy tech.
Sometimes a clarinet may not be readily identifiable. Some, for instance, may say Buffet on it but it may not be known by the owner what kind of Buffet it is. Others may be a stencil, or an instrument that is based on another manufacturers instrument. And, unfortunately, there can be alot stencils out there.
The following will give you identifiable factors to look at to assist in determining what make and model stencil or clarinet you may own. A search through ClarinetPerfection.com may yield more information about your particular clarinet.
But, keep in mind there are so many potential vintage stencils out there that you may never find out. But there are instances, such as a very old Sears-Roebuck clarinet that ended up being identified as a SML stencil. So sometimes there are nice "jewels" out there hiding under another name.
NOTE (disclaimer): Much of the identifiable comments are generalizations and are not true of all makes and models of clarinets. And some names, such as SML are their newest names and not the historical names.
The items are examples of a couple clarinets. They do not include all clarinets and thus other clarinets may have variations. This simply provides what you need to look for to assist in identifying the brand and model of clarinet that you are trying to identify. If you are unsure of the brand and model and age of your clarinet these attributes will assist someone else n determining your clarinet.
Of course, pictures help greatly and descriptions of any emblems
UPPER JOINT
Throat Key Setup
posts on throat key - 4 total posts (2 per key) or do they share a post and thus create an "L" shape
"L" configuration - normally associated with older instruments, such as pre-1950s Buffet and other brands.
Throat keys with Shared L post
Separate throat key posts - usually associated with post-1950s (varies with manufacturer).
Throat keys with Separate posts
Trill Key Guide - Sheet metal versus Barrel shaped
trill key guide - normally barrel shaped or flat sheet metal shaped. These are simply the guides you see for the longest trill keys to prevent them from moving side to side while holding the clarinet.
Slotted Barrel Guide
Flat Metal Guide
TRILL KEY DESIGN
trill keys - do they curve to the side or are in basically a straight line. Leblanc is the only manufacturer that comes to mind that uses inline trill keys, most others have offset trill keys.
Inline trill keys - the keys "jump" over the other toneholes versus curving off to the side
Inline Trill Keys
Offset Trill Keys
Do some of the trill keys share a post/pivot
In the upper Lower Joint you will notice that there is one post to support the two spatula keys
In the lower clarinet you will notice two posts to support each key individually. The shared post for the trill keys is commonly found on older clarinets.
Top 3 posts, Lower 4 posts
Shape and design of the register tube
The shape and design of the register vent can sometime help identify a clarinet BUT it can vary over the years for each manufacturer. Buffet uses, and has used, a fairly simple register vent except for really old ones), Selmer has had various shapes and sizes in the vintage years, Leblanc has had raised vents in this example. They all can assist in identfying a particular brand clarinet.
Register key shape / design We are not talking about the part that you touch, but the arm especially near the cup - does it raise up a bit or other variations.
Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer CT
flat spring v needle spring on C#/G#
FLAT
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Buffet/EarlyR13/Gspring1.jpg
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Buffet/EarlyR13/Gspring2.jpg
NEEDLE - the needle spring will be very difficult to see as it is attached to the post in the area that the keywork pivots. But if you don't see the flat spring, then it has a needle spring.
THROAT KEY WITH OR WITHOUT ADJUSTMENT SCREW The two top keys intersect each other. The side Ab key may or may not have an adjustment screw. Adjustment screws may not exist on much older clarinets.
Throat Bb with and without adjustment screw
FULL WOOD BORE, OR THE OCCASIONAL ODDITY OF A METAL LINER
Wood Bore v Metal Liner
LOWER JOINT
Side LH pinky spatula keys share a post/pivot
Top Single post, lower has individual posts
Side keys use a pin or regular lifter mechanism for the lower keys
Top Regular lifter, lower pin lifter
The advantage the pin lifter has is that the Left Hand pinky spatula will articulate with the Rght Hand keys. The lifter mechanism thoush is may laso be balanced as such as they also articulate. But the pin forces the situation. Of course, the pin/hole design may also have some slop on it and develop a noisy mechanism. But those situations can be corrected by a savvy tech.
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