High pitch Boehm systems - mostly butchered?

[modernicus]

I look for these on purpose, but find mostly butchered wrecks!  I've bought some anyway, but it's very frustrating! 

[Airflyte]

Wait, you have high pitched Boehm clarinets?

   We need some more details!

[modernicus]

I think I have about 5? Bb: 2 Jerome Thibouville Lamy, 1 stencil La Vesta, 1 Buffet Crampon.  A: C.G. Conn.

[jdbassplayer]

They aren't too uncommon, you can usually find at least one on eBay at any time. Obviously this one is overpriced but it looks nice and even comes with a wooden Buffet mouthpiece!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143075938993?hash=item214ffd92b1:g:OjUAAOSwVWpa-Eh~

Are you just collecting these for fun or do you actually play in a HP band?

[modernicus]

Yes, I know about that one. Definitely I wouldn't pay that much for a LP in the exact condition, so I wouldn't pay that for this one- plus the seller isn't that nice to deal with, so I'll steer clear.  I collect them on purpose for my own gratification, and I don't play them in a group right now. I collect them for their historical interest to me, and even if I won't necessarily play them regularly, I would prefer to have the option if possible.  I just passed on bidding on a different one where the botching was just egregious, something I've never seen before.  I assume that at some point, people were told they weren't worth fixing properly, so they just improvised?  And that's why so many are botched up?

[philpedler]

Yeah, people assume that they can just lengthen a bit and come up with a clarinet that will play in tune. It doesn't work, as you well know.

Shortening actually seems to work better, for instance to make a HP A into a Bb. Even that is not perfect.

[Windsong]

That price is rather lofty, but look at it.  She's in very fine condition.  No mangled keywork, bright stamp on the top joint, no glaring cracks.  Certainly, it appears to have the look of a well stored clarinet, at minimum, and that accounts for whether one's restoration goes smoothly, or becomes the bane of his or her existence.

[modernicus]

That price is rather lofty, but look at it.  She's in very fine condition.  No mangled keywork, bright stamp on the top joint, no glaring cracks.  Certainly, it appears to have the look of a well stored clarinet, at minimum, and that accounts for whether one's restoration goes smoothly, or becomes the bane of his or her existence.

How true, buy the best- only cry once!  You think I'd learn that lesson eventually.