Expert: Suzie - 6/9/2009

Question
A Lorenzo Sansone metal clarinet was just donated to my program.  I'm trying to decide how to handle the instrument (is it worth refurbishing and selling to fix school horns or should I turn it into a lamp)?  I know of Sansone as a horn maker so I'm assuming it is a stencil but I just don't know.  The rest of the name on the bell reads New York, USA.  Mechanically it is in good shape but definitely needs an overhaul.

Answer
Hello and thanks for writing! Can you send a few photos of the clarinet? Maybe from your photos I can figure out who actually made the clarinet if it is, in fact, a stencil horn. Metal student clarinets usually sell for $50-175 (the higher amount if playable, etc.) so if you don't have much $ into it I guess it's up in the air on the best choice in the matter. For one I'd check to see if the local school(s) would accept it as many people are against metal clarinets (I love them, myself!) and some schools don't think highly of them. Better to find out first before doing anything and maybe that'd help you make your decision. Good luck! -Suzie