Amati Oehler System
Bb clarinet
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This is a brand new instrument,
unused except for testing. It was purchased out of curiosity and
because it was available, but is now surplus to requirements.
The body is grenadilla and
the keywork is silver plated. It is full professional Oehler system
except without a low E or F correction mechanism (though one could be retrofitted
if the customer wishes). It comes with two Amati barrels, a Zinner
German model mouthpiece and a nice hardshell single case. On request,
a barrel can be supplied for use with French style (small tenon) mouthpieces.
The selling price is the landed wholesale cost.
Those who only know Amati
as a maker of inexpensive instruments will be amazed at the quality, especially
of the keywork. It would be an ideal way to dip one's toes into the
true German style of clarinet playing.
Price: enquire
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Louis & Co. Bb clarinet
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Founded in 1923 under the
direction of the celebrated clarinettist Charles Draper, Louis & Co.
manufactured high quality clarinets copied from the fabled Martel design
(which was also the model for the contemporary Hawkes & Son First Class
clarinets). Probably from the later part of the company's run (judging
by the absence of the rollers on the F/C and Ab/Eb touchpieces which appear
on the earlier models), it would be ideal for players interested in performing
music of the 1920s and '30s on original equipment.
The grenadilla body is in
perfect condition, with no cracks. The unplated nickel silver keywork
is likewise undamaged. The barrel is a new replacement (with authentic
non-scalloped metal rings). It plays nicely at A440 with a modern
French mouthpiece, though no doubt an expert such as Ed Pillinger would
have recommendations for a more authentic mouthpiece.
It was fully serviced recently
after having received a complete overhaul several years ago using bladder
pads, though it could be repadded with more correct leather pads if desired.
The original case is in good condition.
Price: enquire
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Lyons C clarinet
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The innovative Lyons C clarinet
was introduced in the 1980s as a beginner instrument for young children,
and a whole generation of British clarinettists - Julian Bliss, for example
- got their start on it. A modified version (the Nuvo Clarinéo)
is still in production. This is a new, unused example, purchased
just for interest.
Constructed entirely in plastic
(ABS for the body and Delrin for the keys), it is amazingly lightweight
(only 200 g for the clarinet itself, 700 g including the rather goofy "space-age"
case). It never needs repairs in the conventional sense; the keys
are hinged on integral pivots (no screws), and the pads are free-floating,
made from a rubber-like material. If a key were to break, it would
simply be replaced by a new item (they are still available from www.clarinet-for-children.com)
and snapped in place. The keywork is simplified Boehm system (without
F#, Bb and B/C trill keys, sliver keys, RH E/B and RH F#/C#).
Acoustically designed by
the renowned Ted Planas, it plays nicely and is very well in tune.
The mouthpiece is very good, there would be no need to replace it.
Price: enquire
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Buescher
Aristocrat alto sax
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Serial number 2853335 (1937-38)
This has been my personal
alto sax since early 2007 (it can be heard on the latest Riverdale
Ensemble CD, Twelve
by the Moon-dial). It's by far the sweetest-sounding alto
I've ever played, and it would be painful to sell it, but since I also
have a slightly later Aristocrat on which I've installed a high F# key,
it's difficult to justify owning both.
The original silver plating
is 99% on the body, with just a couple of tiny areas starting to wear through
(they could be touched up with a brush plater); the gold wash inside the
bell is still intact. Damage is limited to a very small dent under
one key guard foot, which has been resoldered at some point in the distant
past. The plating on the keys is 100% (two keys have recently been
replated). The original pad snaps and studs are all present except
for some of the smallest pads (stack C# and high D, Eb and E). The
pads (mostly installed by Gayle Fredenburgh, from whom the sax was originally
purchased) are in excellent condition. The original case is in good,
usable condition (much more so than a 1920s-style sax case).
Price: enquire
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Nothing
at present
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