Is there any reason for a saxonette to exist?

[DaveLeBlanc]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Linton-Paris-France-Clarinet-Rare-Very-Nice-SAXONETTE/113702054759?hash=item1a792bab67:g:X6YAAOSwVNNcO-LY

As far as I can tell, the saxonette is nothing more than a standard Bb soprano clarinet with a curvy metal barrel and a curvy metal bell.

There doesn't seem to be any functional reason for this thing to exist. There may be a small argument that the upturned bell helps "project" the sound, but if you REALLY need that much extra projection then you can just play a bit louder for all the good the bell will do for you.

[shmuelyosef]

It's 'cute'. Might be better for recording with a microphone...clarinets are notoriously bad for this...like a curved soprano sax

[DaveLeBlanc]

Heck, for $900 I'll leave the cute factor at home and get a better quality clarinet :D

[jordan.1210]

I'd like to have a saxonette just because it's different and I'd probably use it to mess with my sax friends. Since I have a dent knowledge of 3d modeling and have a 3d printer I could probably make the parts to convert one of my clarinets to a saxonette in the future.

As for sound projection, while a decent amount of sound comes out the bell of a clarinet or saxophone, some sound also comes out of the open holes so I would think it would only really help with projecting forward on long fingered notes.

[DaveLeBlanc]

I'd like to have a saxonette just because it's different and I'd probably use it to mess with my sax friends. Since I have a dent knowledge of 3d modeling and have a 3d printer I could probably make the parts to convert one of my clarinets to a saxonette in the future.

As for sound projection, while a decent amount of sound comes out the bell of a clarinet or saxophone, some sound also comes out of the open holes so I would think it would only really help with projecting forward on long fingered notes.

My thoughts exactly. I don't think the bell makes a noticeable difference for all but the most exacting studio recordings. Some clarinets, such as the Buffet Prodige have a "stippled interior bell texture" which is, in my opinion, just marketing malarky.

Unless the only notes you play the lowest chalumeau notes, then the bell is just there to lengthen the instrument and balance it out.

[windydankoff]

Bell effects the low clarion notes as well, and helps reduce the change of tone over the break.

[mechanic]

One by Linton just showed up on Goodwill https://shopgoodwill.com/item/228369032 
I figured it might slip through the cracks and I could get it for a song.  Was I wrong.  2 days in and it jumped to $278.

[DaveLeBlanc]

Still probably not a bad price, if it stays under $400. If nothing else for the curiosity factor

[Windsong]

"If nothing else for the curiosity factor'
😄
Yeah indeed!

Dave--That ONE factor has taken me down some very long roads--many of them extremely frustrating.  I would have rather slammed my hand in a door after some of them, lol.

[TMHeimer]

I guess some of those odd clarinets are also a bit questionable (high Ab, G, F, even D).

[brigaltman]

Over the years I've collected a few such "oddities" just because. Now they sit on a shelf, unused, unappreciated  and of now practical value and I wonder why? Oh that's right - JUST BECAUSE.