Unusual and/or Unidentified Band Instruments


Note the key "between" the lower ring key, and the left hand "3rd finger" key. This key is normally smaller, and located to the right side of the clarinet.		The "different" location of the G# tone hole necessitates a hole being drilled through the actual tenon of the top joint.

So your standing around with a group of musicians, or maybe some fellow repair techs., and someone mentions a clarinet with an "articulated G#". You "nod knowingly" and in your mind are asking yourself, "What the heck is an articulated G#?"

Well - - this is it. The "natural" position for the G# tone hole (in the air column) is halfway between the "G" and the "A" tone holes. This position is right in the way of the tenon, however. It is a lot of extra trouble to manufacture, and to maintain. (It can be a lot of fun installing a new tenon cork on one of these instruments.) With the hole being located in the tenon, this area is also a little "weaker" than if it were a solid tenon.

Therefore, the hole is normally moved a little "higher", and then the diameter of the hole is adjusted to compensate for the re-positioning in the air column. The final result is not quite as "pure" of a note as if it were back in it's "natural" position - - but the advantages out way the minor differences.

We had a few old cornets laying around that didn't have much value.

One day we knocked most of the dents out of one of them, and got out the paint can. This one shows the colors of our local high school.

We have a few other cornets that we hope to give a "new identity" later this summer. If you have a special request for the color(s) for one of them - - drop us a line at sir@jvlnet.com While we can make no promises, all recommendations will have consideration.


Antique Mueller flute.		A closer look.

Mr. David Shorey (an expert concerning antique flutes) was kind enough to research this Muller flute for us. It is believed to have been made in Germany, circa 1830. This instument is made of "Box Wood" and demonstrates some of the first attempts at establishing a key mechanism for the instrument, that we know as a flute today.


Playing position - standing.		Playing position - seated.

This "King" tuba was manufactured by the H.N. White Co. It has the serial number 96069. The instrument is 88" tall. (No, it DID NOT fit under the 7 foot ceiling, that is in our business building.) It is fitted with two permanent lead pipes. A rotor valve changes from one lead pipe, to the other. (Note the "lower" pipe that is just above the musician's right hand, in the "standing" picture. Also, the lead pipe that is near his mouth. / In the "seated" picture, the "upper" lead pipe almost looks like a bell connector ring.)

Thanks to Lou Long of Rockford, IL . . . for permission to photograph, and display this instrument.)

This is the perfect answer for those musicians who like the trombone sound but not the "stretch". It's even more compact than the regular "valve 'bone". (And you sure can't beat the mint condition of this Olds trombonium, serial #N37351.

Thanks to Paul Wright of Rockford, IL . . . for permission to photograph, and display this instrument.)


"Double Wall" metal clarinet.		A closer look.

This clarinet has been in the family of it's owner, since it was new. It is thought to have been an experimental model, and was manufactured by the Triebert Co., in Paris France. There is no identifiable serial, or model number on the instrument. The clarinet owner's grandfather, purchased the instrument (new) while in Paris, in the late 1800's.

Thanks to Pat Hooper (Band Director at Prairie Hill School, South Beloit, IL.) for making this instrument available for display.

Remember the "double bell euphonium" that is mentioned in "The Music Man"? This is what one looks like.

This instrument is stamped "Buffet Crampon & Co. / Paris / Carl Fischer - New York / LP " There are no model, or serial numbers that are obvious. The instrument is "one piece" and measures approx. 14 3/4" long (without reed). The receiver accepts an oboe reed. (Sorry, for the limited time that it was available to me, I did not attempt to establish the "key" of the instrument.) Thanks to Lou Long of Rockford, IL . . . for permission to photograph, and display this instrument.)

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Mr. George Campbell was kind enough to drop us an e-mail, with the identity of this instrument. It is a Piccolo Oboe (key of F). Thanks for the help, Mr. Campbell!

We have also recieved the following:

Dear sir

"The Instrument identified in your unusual instruments page as "A Piccolo Oboe" is in fact a "Musette" in the key of F and based on the French Musette Bagpipe Chanter. These instruments were the toys of upper crust children in the 18th, 19th and early 20th cent.

A diagram of this Musette is shown in "Musical Instruments of the World" pg.51 and a precise paragraph on its measurements are listed in "Ancient European Musical Instruments" published by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Another source for replica plans can be found in Trevor Robinson's book "The Amateur Wind Instrument Maker.

Sincerely,

Thomas Hastay

Amateur Instrument maker."

Dear Stateline Repair,

Here I am adding to the 'un-identified' (well now identified) Musette. I am oboe player myself. The description of the musette being in the key of 'F' is in fact wrong! The musette is also called the Eb oboe, hence it is in Eb, as I have read in many books!

Thanks so much,

Melanie Rothman (Oboist)

Check back with us, for images of some of the more "unusual" and/or "unidentified" instruments that have come into our shop. If you have any information to add about them, or if you have any unusual images to add . . please let me know.

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