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

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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

Congratulations Mr. Phil Pedler on your new site!  This looks absolutely great!  Really neat and organized, very fresh.

I hope we can quickly get back to our earlier point, with lots of people posting, commenting, and helping each other out.

Dave LeBlanc (Your previous Moderator, and soon-to-be-current moderator)