Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/26/2010

Question
I have a Bb clarinet that I have had for about 8 years now. It is used and my mom got it from a friend at her job who [I can't remember] either she played it in high school, or her daughter played. I really don't kno. It IS real wood. Everyone else in the band with me had plastic instruments with the exception of 1 or 2 other people. In the summer, the wood takes on a brown color, and in the winter it goes back to black! People would always ask me what brand it is, but I'm not really sure. On the bell and just below the barrel, it says CENTURY. It looks as if it were etched on. When I first started band my 7th grade year, one of my band directors envied my instrument and said that it is very old and has a wonderful sound. Also at the time, it had a D. Bonade ligature [which broke a year later but I replaced it with a newer Bonade!] I've tried to find info about it but nothing has come up. But I did come across the "allexperts" site and saw that someone was asking about a CENTURY clarinet as well. The person who responded to her told her that CENTURY was not a very good brand and is of poor quality. So, my question is, could my instrument be of the same type? And could you possibly help me find more info about my clarinet? Please and thank you!

Answer
Clarinets are not my area, so allow me to answer you only indirectly.

I have seen examples of several Century brass instruments, but have been unable to determine what company owned the brand.  

I can tell you that it is most likely a store brand, of a dealer - not a maker.  Dealers would often buy instruments either domestically or imported, and then engrave their own name/information on them.

Some dealers would purchase the cheapest product they could find, many would purchase student level instruments from their suppliers, but some also would purchase instruments of good quality.  I should also say that often the student models of old were similar to the professional models with only less decoration or optional accessories.  

The reputation of an instrument is only important if you are planning on selling it.  Otherwise, go with the impressions of the player.