Obscure Makers
"Who made all those old clarinets that I see on ebay and why should I care?", folks ask me.
Well, some are "stencils": instruments made by well known manufacturers under other names, generally for big distributors (like Carl Fischer of NY) or big music stores (like Grinnells). Some of these are basic designs or mass produced models, but some are fine playing clarinets!
The others were made by companies that never got much press, weren't in business very long, weren't routinely imported to America, etc. Below is an ever growing list of my favorites: Obviously, not every one will be a gem (depending on model, how they were treated, etc.), but I've worked on most of these and been anywhere from 'pleasantly surprised' to 'very impressed'. For a few hundred dollars, you can own a nice sounding/playing piece of history and use the other thousand for something else!
F. Barbier - Late 19th - early 20th French maker, bought up by Selmer during the depression and relegated to their student line. Earlier instruments (especially their Albert systems) are not student - fine sounding instruments!
Boosey&Hawkes - Formed in England the early 1930's from Boosey& Co. + Hawkes& Son. Makers of some lovely, underrated and underpriced instruments. I just got a 2-20 model and will report back!
Cabart
- French maker of famous oboes and bassoons, since absorbed by Loret (I believe). Some nice old clarinets!
Jean Cartier - Stencil name for Dolnet made instruments. I just finished a clarinet that was very nice!
Conn - Major American maker. Some nice large bore clarinets in the 40's, choice of Artie Shaw, among others!
Couesnon - French company that has been in business for over 170 years! They used to make brass and woodwinds, and now just make brass. Their old clarinets and saxophones are a real joy and readily available for low prices. The Monopole Conservatoire is the high end model.
Pierre Demar - A French maker, mid 20th century as far as I can tell. Can't find any info about him, but the instrument I just finished is a really nice player!
Dolnet - A great French maker of saxophones c.1900-1980. I watch for their clarinets...
Paul Dupre - A French maker, mid 20th century as far as I can tell. Just finished one with his name and an Eiffel Tower on it: nice sounding instrument!
A. Fontaine - Just finished one of these and was pleasantly surprised! Very even response through the registers - nice classical instrument.
J. Gras - Early 20th c. French maker who disappeared into the mists of the depression. One of the finest A clarinets I've ever overhauled was made by them, probably late 20's.
Paul Gerard - Mid-20th century French maker. I overhauled one that was a really good sounding horn.
Hawkes & Son - English maker that became part of Boosey & Hawkes c. 1931 but made some fine clarinets before then. I overhauled a Full Boehm model that was a joy!
Kohlert - OLD company, which moved from Austria to Czechoslovakia merely by being in business so long. Great Albert and Boehm clarinets, flutes, bassoons, oboes, and I don't know what else. Name is currently being recycled by a Vietnamese company whose stuff I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...
Carl Kruspe - Late 19th early 20th century German maker of woodwinds. Just finished a fine Albert system clarinet by him.
R. Malerne - Another French company, in business from c. WWI - early 1970's. Built great clarinets, even the 'Standard' model (supposedly a student level horn) outplays a lot of the junk on the market today and is beautifully made.
Jean Marbeau - Nice old clarinet marked 'Paris' with a wrap-around octave key. Definitely 1920's or earlier. Keywork appeared a little crude (or maybe just really well used) but a sweet tone. I'll watch for another one!
Robert Martel - Another old French make, supposedly very high quality. I haven't had one yet but I'm watching...
Gebruder Moennig (Moennig Bros.) - Old German maker, great clarinets, oboes, and bassoons.
Orsi - A fine Italian maker, sometimes seen as 'Orsi Milano' or 'Prof. Romeo Orsi'. Made good clarinets, saxophones (stencilled as LaMonte, among other things), and I don't know what else. I just finished a c.1950 flute by them that is a wonderful player, for all of $39!
Otello Milano - Another fine Italian maker! Why don't you hear anything about these great old Italian companies?
Penzel Mueller - The best of the American makers, based in NYC. In business from c.1890 - 1950's. Mostly clarinets and good HR mouthpieces, although I've seen flutes with their name, which may (or may not) be German stencils. The Brilliante, Super Brilliante, Artist, and Studio Recording are all fine models and make good Jazz instruments: Woody Herman played the Artist model!
Pruefer - The other good American maker, based in Rhode Island. Later instruments were mostly student lines, but early wood stuff (especially Albert systems) can be nice instruments.
Rampone - http://www.ramponecazzani.it/static/english/index.htm . Now specializing in fine saxophones, this Italian company made some lovely clarinets!
A. Robert - Paris, c.1920 -? Just finished one of his horns and it is stunning. I'll be looking for more...
SML - Strasser, Marigaux, LeMaire was a French consortium that made amazing saxophones and some nice clarinets, too!
Thibouville - Great old French company (also seen as JTL or Jerome Thibouville Lamy). I've overhauled a few of these that were just wonderful, especially my 7 ring 'Artist' model. Long gone, but well worth investigating.
Triebert - Another old French company that built great oboes and bassoons. Still waiting to get my hands on one of these, but I hear good things...