"My company recently acquired an old Clarinet which we would like to put on Ebay. Unfortunately we don't know anything about this instrument. The Clarinet itself has "La Premiere Francais" etched into the horn, but the inside of the hard case has a label marked "Oliver Ditson Co." on it. Is there any information you could give us about this instrument, particularly its age or proper country of origin? We appreciate your help."
2007-12-06 03:43:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Other - Music
I counted, and it looks like this clarinet has 14 keys all together. The last key on the top piece curves around from the back to the front. Does that make a difference?
2007-12-08 05:11:52 · update #1
It all depends on the quality of the clarinet, and what key systen it has. Boehm system clarinets are what most everyone plays now. There are also Albert system clarinets- they're popular with some jazz & traditional music players. Check Wikipedia for info. Without a maker's name it's all going to depend on the quality and the condition- a good musical instrument store can help you. In general, an old clarinet like this will sell for under $100. If there's some interest it might go a little higher but only the best get anywhere near $200 or over. (If it's an Albert clarinet there might be more interest. One identifying feature is that often one of the top keys curves around from the back to the front)
OK- you have an Albert system clarinet. This is bad and good. Bad because most players do not want them- they are useless in a school band or orchestra. Good because there ARE some players who want Albert clarinets. You should take this to a music shop and find out:
The condition- are there and cracks, is it broken
The key- is it a B flat charinet, an A clarinet, or something else- often there is a stamp on the clarinet in tiny letters reading B or A.
Most important- is it Low Pitch or High Pitch- check for tiny letters reading HP or LP. If it is Low Pitch, this is good- modern instruments are low pitch. If it is High Pitch, this is bad- you can not play low pitch and high pitch together, they sound out of tune.
2007-12-07 12:23:50 · answer #1 · answered by Eric S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Oliver Ditson company was founded in the late 1800's and continues to provide music publishing to this day. Though i cannot help with the dates on your musical instrument, I know that the company did supply instruments before going more completely into music publishing. Today Ditson is wholly owned by the Theodore Presser Company.
2007-12-06 04:05:02 · answer #2 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you that the clarinet is French, so it most likely came from France, or a French-company. If I'm correct, then "La Premiere Francais" is translated into "The First France"....That's about all I know. sorry hun. Good luck with everything else.
2007-12-06 03:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by woundedblackroses 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a Pathfinder P20. To find out more go to the Pathfinder website (for clarinets) and search for P20 and it will probably tell you more about it.
2016-05-28 10:52:08 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋