Ferdinando Roth What is this?

[johnnyk]

Hello all,

This just fell in my lap and I have 0 knowledge of what it is or what it may be worth. It needs a full restoration, but all the parts seem to be there.

I am a musician, but not a horn player, so even the most basic info would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Johnny

 

[saxhound]

A quick Bing search shows that Ferdinando Roth was a musical instrument maker in Milan, Italy in the mid to late 1800's. His son in law took over the company in 1898, and changed the name to Roth-Bottali, so your instrument (probably) predates that. Roth was most well known for developing the Rothophone, which is a double reed instrument shaped like a saxophone. He also made sarrusaphones, french horns, fluegel horns and clarinets, and probably many other instruments. It's hard to tell without seeing a picture of the fully assembled instrument, but it looks like a bass clarinet to me. The mouthpiece, neck and bell all look to be bass clarinet size. Probably with Albert system fingering. Given the age, it may also be a high pitch instrument (A=457), which would make it impossible to play in an ensemble. An interesting historic find, but not sure if a restoration is in order unless you just plan to play it for your own enjoyment.

 

[johnnyk]

Saxhound,

Thanks for the response and info... I was not aware of the high pitch (A=457) thing. That's helpful.

 

[Helen]

Yup, saxhound said a lot of what I was going to say. Take it to a shop, and they can compare the assembled length to that of a low pitch bass clarinet. That will tell you all you need to know.

Even if it is low pitch, it is an Albert and not a Bohem system horn, so right away that limits your buyers.

After that, the next thing a tech in a shop will tell you is if there are any cracks in the wood. Sometimes location and size of cracks prevent an instrument from being restorable.

So the takeaway from all of this is: Take it to a music store that has a repair shop that can properly assess it. Oh, and it is worth noting, this is an antique, not a vintage horn.

If it is fixable, it will most definitely have a buyer. However, to do the repairs properly, are going to likely cost more than you can get if you sell it.

Get it assessed for damage. Then advertise it truthfully. Will you see a lot of $$. Not likely, but you won't know how little (or how much) until you get the answers to the questions I outlined above.

PS: Yes, I am a bass clarinet player. I also happen to have an Albert system Bb soprano clarinet for sale right now on consignment that I had restored because I was going to play it--but now don't. The repair job cost me more than I can get for the antique instrument....So yup, I'm speaking from personal experience.

 

[johnnyk]

Helen,

Thanks so much for your insight. Although, I was hoping you would tell me my plans to retire on a ranch in Montana are now fully financed!

I will take your advice and take it to a shop and have it assessed and go from there.

Thank you!