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Mystery Horn
- Thread starter lholladay
- Start date
Luke, the keywork is the more modern Boehm system, resembles very closely to my Le Blanc Vito Bb plastic clarinet of the mid 1960's, especially the raised triangular like projections on the 4-in-a-row right hand trill keys on the upper joint. However, a very early Selmer sales flyer has similar trill keywork.
There was no trade markings on the clarinet bell or barrel? It would be helpful if you included photos of the other pieces such as the barrel, bell, and case if you have it, especially if case looks original. These additional details could give clues as to manufacturer and model, especially since there are no other distinguishing marks.
There was no trade markings on the clarinet bell or barrel? It would be helpful if you included photos of the other pieces such as the barrel, bell, and case if you have it, especially if case looks original. These additional details could give clues as to manufacturer and model, especially since there are no other distinguishing marks.
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately the barrel and bell have no marks whatsoever but I will post them here just for the sake of completion. I did ask a seasoned repair tech about this horn and he said it looks like an early Yamaha. Here is his comment:
"I don't know what the II means, but I've seen it on some Yamahas. The font also looks like Yamaha's older work and they used to put an A at the end for instruments that were assembled in America back when they had a facility in Grand Rapids, MI."
It seems like serial lists for Yamaha do not exist, but if I'm wrong about that, please let me know!
"I don't know what the II means, but I've seen it on some Yamahas. The font also looks like Yamaha's older work and they used to put an A at the end for instruments that were assembled in America back when they had a facility in Grand Rapids, MI."
It seems like serial lists for Yamaha do not exist, but if I'm wrong about that, please let me know!
The pictures including bell and barrel should help, the design of the metal tenon bands and protection ring around the bell can give additional clues. So far, seems your tech is probably closer to its origin. All the ones I looked at, LeBlanc, Selmer, Buffet, Noblet, etc. could not find a serial number match.
It could be possible that when first purchased, the graphic trade markings were not pressed into the wood but were applied over top, like "painted" in or transferred like wet slide decals on old model airplanes. Use of wipe downs, cleaners and bore oil helped soften and remove these would be my guess. The older clarinets, these were pressed into the wood then filled with glitter paint. Methods I mentioned would eventually remove the paint but the embossing would still be there to help identify.
There are others more knowledgeable, hopefully they will chime in.
It could be possible that when first purchased, the graphic trade markings were not pressed into the wood but were applied over top, like "painted" in or transferred like wet slide decals on old model airplanes. Use of wipe downs, cleaners and bore oil helped soften and remove these would be my guess. The older clarinets, these were pressed into the wood then filled with glitter paint. Methods I mentioned would eventually remove the paint but the embossing would still be there to help identify.
There are others more knowledgeable, hopefully they will chime in.
Not that I'm saying this horn is a Yamaha, but serial numbers for Yamaha aren't sequential. That's why you can't find any. You can write to Yamaha. I don't know of anyone who's gotten a response, but I don't get out much.
lholladay, I think your tech might be getting confused with instruments like the YCL-34II and similar.
lholladay, I think your tech might be getting confused with instruments like the YCL-34II and similar.