Help identifying clarinet model

[Tilde72]

Hi,

n00b here - I've just started restoring clarinets but I'm an absolute beginner. My wife has started playing so we are both new to this - but it's fun!

I've restored two Noblet Paris this far, work is still needed on them to make them more than acceptable. But I just bought this clarinet, and I wanted to ask the experts if you know what brand this is. I know that there are stencil clarinets where the factory is different from the brand, and I think this could be one like that.

The only writing on it is "Dixie", on the upper joint and the bell, and the serial number is on both the upper and lower joint (19002 I think).

The mouthpiece that came with it is a Conbrio from Eric Petterson (Sweden).

The barrel and the beel is wooden, which makes me think that it's not super-basic. I tried playing it when I got it and it was surprisingly easy to reach the high notes, even if it was in a rough state.

Any help with this would be highly appreciated!

[Windsong]

Welcome, and congratulations on the new-found talent and your wife's desire to share a great pastime with you.  That is a true gift, in and of itself.

Here is another "DIXIE", and frankly--the seller is reaching for the moon, pricewise.  "Rare" and "valuable" are often mutually exclusive.

You acknowledged it;  there are so many stencil names that it would be nigh impossible to keep up with them all.  Some were released on a whim and for very short periods.  I see no definitive characteristics to the key work on these Dixies allowing me a glimpse into the true manufacturer, and would say that if you enjoy restos and like the way this clarinet feels and plays once completed, enjoy it, as its inherant value to you may be priceless.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/257289823425

[Tilde72]

Thanks for your reply,

yes, that's the same clarinet - good catch! That price was high - I paid 38$ for it here in Sweden.

As you said, there's a particular joy in restoring old things and bringing them back to life. I replaced the cork joints yesterday and today I shined the keys and levers, oiled the wood and replaced the pads. I have some aligning to do before I'm happy - the new pads are deeper than the old ones. Plus I need to learn a lot before I can control the process and become effective and accurate.

I contacted the person I bought it from and it used to be his dads - he played clarinet in bands from the 40s onwards. I'm guessing this is a spare or a student instrument, or maybe for outdoor use to spare the fancy ones.

Thanks again!

[Windsong]

Indeed.  Restoration is not easy--even for mechanically skilled people.  There is a steep learning curve for most of us, and I applaud you for venturing in.

Setting pad height in the key cups is one of the most difficult things to get right.  Even if you get the pads to seal, if the pad height is wrong, the clarinet will be a burden to play.  Intonation typically suffers and some notes will sound "stuffy".

Regarding stencil clarinets, some are excellent and professional level.  This DIXIE may be an exceptional player.  I hope that it is!  $38.00 is a great price for any complete wood clarinet.

Stop by often with any questions you may have.