[Dixielandjazz] Metal Clarinets

[confit at isp.com]

I didn't follow the whole thread on this, but thought I would add what I
know about metal clarinets, as an avid researcher into early instrument
manufacturing (and an amateur clarinetist).

Prior to World War II there was no such thing as "student" instruments.
There were a variety of "lines" of instruments, some more expensive than
others. Conn had a lesser expensive line named Pan American. Martin had
Indiana; King had Cleveland, etc. They were NOT student instruments; they
were just less expensive, probably made with fewer frills than the top of
the line horns.

Metal clarinets came from a wide variety of makers: Conn, King, Buescher,
Selmer, Bettoney, Noblet, Holton, Pedler. Some were better quality than
others. The Silver King metal clarinets were exceptionally nice
instruments. Some people say they were the best metal clarinets ever made.
And they were defintely pro instruments.

Bettoney (of Boston) clarinets were also very well made. A lot of the ones
that show up now are stamped "U.S.Q.M.C.", for the the US Quarter Master
Corps. Not junk by any means.

I have seen Albert system metal clarinets made by Conn, King, Buescher,
Noblet, Selmer, Pedler and many stencils with a variety of different
names. George Lewis played a Pedler metal Albert system. There are metal
Albert system clarinets still manufactured in Turkey, pitched in the key
of G.

I cannot answer the question regarding why Lester Young favoured a metal
clarinet; obviously one of the advantages is that it won't crack like a
wooden one.

Regards,
Christian Buch
Vordingborg, Denmark


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