No Branding on Clarinet or Serial Number

[max880]

Hello!  I am new to this forum but I'm glad I found you!  I have an older clarinet passed down to me from my Grandfather.  He played violin and viola in the symphony, and was told he occasionally would play this.  All that I know about it is it has been sitting in a closet for the last, at least, 45 years. Also I do know he played in a small band in Germany when he was younger. (He immigrated to the USA in 1950.) Not sure if this is the same clarinet he used.  I know she is in rough shape.  I have spent hours inspecting every square inch of every part, but have yet to come up with even a hint of a badly faded serial number, or even manufacturer.  There is a strange sticker on the inside lid that I cannot find anything about on the internet.  P.A.G No. 1126882.  Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much in advance!

--Max

[el gitano]

Hi,
it´s called "jazz-clarinet".
Because the clarinet has closed keys for the tonholes. This one ist a mixed construcion between german and frecnch stile.
The pinky-keys are german, the rest french. Saxophone player used this type of clarinet, because it´s closer to the saxophone fingerring.
Claus

[max880]

Thank you very much! That is some good info!  I appreciate your help.

--Max

[DaveLeBlanc]

Another, more generic name for these is Plateau clarinet - these come in Boehm and Albert key systems, but much less common in Albert.

The Albert is a bit old fashioned, and the register key is on the side.

The material is advertised on the case - Vulcan Fibre. I would say this is between 1910 and 1920.

[Dibbs]

Another, more generic name for these is Plateau clarinet - these come in Boehm and Albert key systems, but much less common in Albert.

The Albert is a bit old fashioned, and the register key is on the side.

The material is advertised on the case - Vulcan Fibre. I would say this is between 1910 and 1920.

It's neither Boehm nor Albert.  It's called a sax fingering clarinet. The lower joint's has a fork B/F# mechanism like a Boehm but is Albert like other than that.

[DaveLeBlanc]

Another, more generic name for these is Plateau clarinet - these come in Boehm and Albert key systems, but much less common in Albert.

The Albert is a bit old fashioned, and the register key is on the side.

The material is advertised on the case - Vulcan Fibre. I would say this is between 1910 and 1920.

It's neither Boehm nor Albert.  It's called a sax fingering clarinet. The lower joint's has a fork B/F# mechanism like a Boehm but is Albert like other than that.

Good correction, thanks

[Dibbs]

Actually, now that I look again, the upper joint is Boehm system too.  Long Eb/Bb connexion, all four side keys (missing touchpiece on the top one) and the Boehm throat F/F# mechanism.

I had never realised they were like that.  I'd always assumed they had a forked F/C like a sax.

[LarryS]

Trying to work out what the label on the case says, it looks German, like Echt Vulkan Flute

[DaveLeBlanc]

Trying to work out what the label on the case says, it looks German, like Echt Vulkan Flute

Vulcan Fibre. Vulcanite was an old form of hard rubber-ish compound that lots of clarinets in the 20s were made of.

[Dibbs]

Trying to work out what the label on the case says, it looks German, like Echt Vulkan Flute

It says Echt Vulkan Fiber.  Genuine Vulcanised Fibre in English.  A board material something like cardboard impregnated with rubber.  It was often used to make suitcases.  It may still be for all I know.

[LarryS]

Trying to work out what the label on the case says, it looks German, like Echt Vulkan Flute

It says Echt Vulkan Fiber.  Genuine Vulcanised Fibre in English.  A board material something like cardboard impregnated with rubber.  It was often used to make suitcases.  It may still be for all I know.

Ah, interesting

[el gitano]

Hi again,
by the construction of the keywork, here the longer eb first thrillkey reight hand for eb, wrap arround speaker key, I would say the instrument is made in Germany.
I looked for my fotos I have from jazz-clarinets, but no instrument was egual.
But I remember, I have seen an instrument with the pin under this eb key. I am searching.
Claus

[DaveLeBlanc]

Thank you! Your analysis of the keywork fits with the German-language on the case. Please let us know if you find anything!

[Windsong]

Fascinating! I have never seen anything like it. Is this still a 12ths instrument or is the register key also an octave key, like a sax?