"New" Penzel-Mueller in A

[bbrandha]

Here's a couple of pictures, anyway. It needs more repair than I could ever do, so I will have to save a up for a bit and wait to actually play it.

It has to be about the dirtiest clarinet I've seen. My fingers were gray after touching it. The upper bridge key is gone, unfortunately. No cracks or other damage I can see.

[KSCop]

I see what looks like a crack in the barrel (not too hard of a fix). Besides the missing key; what else does it need?
I've overhauled a few of these..

[bbrandha]

Cleanup, recork, repad. The usual.

[KSCop]

I could overhaul it for you... $60 plus shipping including basic pads. quick turnaround...
PM if interested

[bbrandha]

Thanks for the offer, but I have a friend that will do it for me.

[modernicus]

Very nice, I was watching that one- articulated C#/G# and all sorts of other fun stuff!  They don't make 'em like they used to...

[Silversorcerer]

That is indeed very nice. And rare in several ways. I am so glad you are sharing this one here. The bridge key fix has to be well done, but it's one of the more common and easier key fixes in my experience.

[bbrandha]

It should be coming back from repair soon!

[bbrandha]

I hate posting attachments, by the way.

[bbrandha]

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[bbrandha]

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[Airflyte]

Wow, that looks great!  Did you do the restoration?

[bbrandha]

Oh, no! It had to have a new key made and I would be afraid to try one with all of the extra doodads, anyway. I am preparing to fight the blue Vito now. It is more my speed.

[Tinker73]

Your Penzel-Mueller in A looks wonderful!  Your friend did a wonderful job rebuilding it, and hopefully it plays for many years for you.  Very hard clarinet to come by, but I'm thinking you will find worth every penny that you have put into it.

[Silversorcerer]

That bridge repair looks perfect. The hardest part about silver soldering keys is finding a good set of clamps to hold them perfectly aligned while doing the work. The really good clamp sets are cost prohibitive for an amateur restoration technician. It's kind of a trade-off though. How many clarinets with broken keys do I buy at a substantial savings to offset the clamp rig. My original, almost comical set-up made from marching lyres is not very user friendly.

We were discussing the probable history on that one on the other thread and I would put it at mid 1920s, and being an A model, most likely it belonged to an orchestra professional. I'm glad that it found its' way back to someone that will play it with appreciation and I am interested to know how it compares with the Marbeau you have that is probably similar vintage.