AboutKenton Scott Expertise Provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site.
Experience I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net
Question Thank you for the information. I am glad to have the charinet, value or not. It is still a relic and will fit nicely in my decor plans. I would like to locate a mouthpiece for it though. Do you know where I might could find one?
Followup To
Question -
I was given a silver clarinet. On the bell, it says: The Student-Harry Pedler_Elkhart, Ind.-Royal Educator:. There was no mouthpiece for it when I received it. Where could I get a mouthpiece for it? I don't know if it is a B-flat clarinet or not. Do you know what it's approximate value would be, it has few pads, but seems to be in fairly good shape, no noticeable dents. It is tarnished, but I would think that is not unusual since it is an old instrument. Any other information you have on this clarinet would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.
Answer -
Harry Walter Pedler established his business in Elkhart in 1919, after previously working for Rudall, Carte, & Co., and Conn.
The company started as American Manufacturing with Gronnert in 1916 but with the death of Gronnert, company was renamed Harry Pedler Co.
In 1958, Selmer purchased the Harry Pedler and Sons brass plant on Superior Street, Elkhart.
Pedler seems to have had a good reputation for his instruments.
As to the clarinet - It was probably made during the Depression. A lot of companies went to metal clarinets then because they could make them more cheaply. And, while there is no reason that a metal clarinet couldn't be a quality instrument, they tended not to be. Coupled with the indication that this was a student horn, it likely was not the best player.
It probably has very little value.
I'm assuming that it is a Bb clarinet. If it were in another key, Eb or A, it may have some more value as a curiosity.
Sorry
Kenton
Answer I just looked around here. . . I have a metal clarinet that I made into a lamp. I can't remember whether it had a mouthpiece with it when I got it or not. (I had gotten it with the intention of making it into a lamp.) I looked around for the case that it came in, but can't locate it.
But, it appears to me that it has about the same size hole to insert the mouthpice on as a soprano sax, though I don't know how similar a metal clarinet and a soprano sax's mouthpieces may be. (Woodwinds aren't really the focus of my knowledge, brass instruments are. )
If I ever locate that case, and if it has a mouthpiece in it, I'll get in touch with you.
