They are pretty oddball...  The hole goes right on through the key!  It is almost like the kind seen on open-hole flutes.

Some pictures of your plateaus would be awesome!  I\'ve only seen a few.  Always wanted one...

Hi, curious keys. Does the hole go right through the pad too or are they solid? I\'ve only seen solid plateau keys. I have 3 Malerne and a Noblet plateaux plus a load of junk ones. I\'ll try and post some photos.
Malcolm

Quote from: \'DaveLeBlanc\' pid=\'12\' dateline=\'1347142447\'

I had this thread on the old site, and I am bringing it back up.

So, basically, I have a strange clarinet.  It is unmarked, but it came in a Bundy case.  The odd thing about this instrument are the three plateau keys.  There is one plateau key on the third hole on the upper section; one on the lowest hole on the bottom section; and one on the thumb key.
Now these are not the usual plateau keys we see on full plateau system clarinets; rather, they are more along the lines of the first key on a bass or alto clarinet: it has a small hole in the middle.

Now, Bundy did in fact make a partial-plateau system clarinet, but the only one I have found a reliable picture of contains only the lower plateau key.  Mine has three plateau keys.

Any ideas?

Dave LeBlanc

Pictures are attached for your perusal.

Has anybody played a boxwood clarinet?  I\'ve heard that the warpage of the wood makes most unplayable.

Did they make It in Bb?  Or just in C and D?

Also, how much is a typical one worth?

Here is a list of all my clarinets in approximate order of acquisition.

19-- weymann varsity metal (non working)
2005 buffet b12 plastic
19-- (70-80?) conn alto plastic, with fourth left hand chalumeau lever
200- Borg wood grain plastic
19-- (50?) Lachapelle wood
19-- (30-40?) Lachapelle metal (non working)
1890-1920 three assorted penzel mueller albert system Eb wood upper section, hard rubber lower section, E clarinet wood lower section (junk)
19-- (40?) M lacroix wood (non working)
198- (?) Bundy semi plateau
19-- (30?) f. Barbier cousenon wood (thanks Phil!!)
19-- (80-90?) Vito resotone 3 upper section, v40 lower section (almost working)
19-- (70-80?) Bundy resonite (non working)
19-- (70-80?) Bundy resonite (work in progress)
1984 Artley 17s plastic (non working)
200- sky plastic (not sure if working)
19-- (30-40?) Paul Dupree grenadilla, with third ring ( work in progress)
19-- (40-50?) weymann varsity wood (work in progress)
1912? Brevetto Bottali plateau Albert system metal (non working)
19-- (60-80?) Bundy open hole alto (barely working)
19-- (70-90?) Vito alto clarinet, mismatched top and bottom sections (no working)
19-- (80?) Selmer open hole alto (should be working but doesn\'t)

Plus two flutes, five or so recorders, harmonicas, ocarina, Chinese folk instruments, etc


What do you think of my collection?  Insults and accolades are equally welcome!!

I think it would be fun if other list their collections for other
Members to check out!!

Dave Leblanc

Hey there!  I recently got a Selmer open hole alto clarinet (stupid thing doesn\'t play and I can\'t figure out why!!!     ).
I\'ve heard that the Bundy open holes were lower class beginner models.  However, Selmer has quite a better reputation. M
Question here is, is this Selmer any better?  


Dave LeBlanc

Wow!  Thanks so much for your information!  I thought for sure this was some obscure brand haha.
This example does Not have a covered thumb hole; it is open as per normal.

Also, this guy had a removable bell... Odd

Well, holding it with the bell flat on ground, the body curves a bit to the left and then back to center, to make a somewhat serpentine look!  Haha.
All the keys do work freely, all that are missing are pads and a few springs.  
There is one broken key, the one that closes the pad on the very very bottom ( I forget what that key is called...)

Could I have some more information about this metal
Clarinet expert?  I\'d love to get in touch with him!

Thanks,
Dave LeBlanc

---

Oh yes, it does not seem to be silver (doesn\'t have the feel of silver, and my silver cloth doesn\'t shine it up).  So it is probably nickle

No, this is unbranded, all I know is that some Chinese company STL sold it!

Yes, actually, come to think of it, it does sound a bit more hollow than the other mouthpieces do.  I kinda like it!

Hello all.  Today I have for you the most interesting clarinet I have ever seen in my life.  This is a Plateau System, Albert System, Metal Clarinet.  Now metal clarinets are a little unusual.  An albert system metal clarinet is more unusual.  A plateau system metal clarinet is even more unusual.  However, once you put all those together, you get this clarinet I have here.  

It is a \"BREVETTO BOTTALI PRIMARIA PREMIATA FABRICA A.M. BOTTALI MILANO(O) (ITALIA)\" brand.

I dont speak Italian, but it looks like it means something like, \"primary premium fabricated by AM Bottali in Milano, Italy.\"

Odd brand, yes.  Odder still is the construction.

It is a complete plateau system, with plateaus keys on every hole except the thumb hole.  
Sadly, it is not in playing condition and will probably never be able to be restored, due to the fact that it is significantly bent in the middle.
But, it is still something!

Does anybody have any information at all about this instrument and others of this type?

A clue to the year may be the fact that it is the early style albert system, with no rollers.  This may date it as early as 1920, I think.

Dave LeBlanc

Hi all, I\'d like to start up a discussion about the \"third ring\" found on some clarinets.  The one I am referring to is the ring that covers the third hole on the upper section, normally left free.  
I believe that the third ring is found usually on more \"higher-end\" normal clarinets, stubbins clarinets, and full boehms.  I find that there is a small pad attached to this third ring right underneath the second hole, which can be depressed by pushing down the Eb lever.  I think this is to make it more in tune or something.
Question to the people: does this make any appreciable difference?  Or does it just make the instrument look cooler?

Dave LeBlanc