hi, i just received a clarinet i got from ebay, it is a besson class A
the serial number is 11050
does any one know where i can find a serial number list for besson so that i can find out the date of manufacture, thanks eeze.
eeze,
As far as I know these are pretty rare. Is it in good condition? Upload some pics if you can.
Check this out for manufacturing date:
Besson - Paris (1869-1947)
Serial Numbers Year of Manufacture Serial Numbers Year of Manufacture
001-10000 1869-74 50001-68000 1894-1901
10001-14000 1874-76 68001-69000 1901-05
14001-24143 1876-79 69001-70000 1905-06
24144-26000 1879-82 70001-77500 1906-11
26001-30000 1882-84 77501-82000 1911-20
30001-36000 1884-87 82001-87000 1920-34
36001-40000 1887-89 87001-92000 1934-47
40001-50000 1889-94
hello tseligas, thanks for your reply
if i have understood the list you supplied me, my clarinet with serial number 11050 is dated between 1874 and 1879, is that correct.
as for the condition the wood is in excellent condition looks like rose wood, i had one broken key that i have repaired. i have stripped it down and washed and oiled the wood
i am going to polish the keys tomorrow ,all it will need then is new pads and corks. when i have finished restoring it i will take some photos and upload them,thanks eeze.
tseligas Wrote:eeze,
As far as I know these are pretty rare. Is it in good condition? Upload some pics if you can.
Check this out for manufacturing date:
Besson - Paris (1869-1947)
Serial Numbers Year of Manufacture Serial Numbers Year of Manufacture
001-10000 1869-74 50001-68000 1894-1901
10001-14000 1874-76 68001-69000 1901-05
14001-24143 1876-79 69001-70000 1905-06
24144-26000 1879-82 70001-77500 1906-11
26001-30000 1882-84 77501-82000 1911-20
30001-36000 1884-87 82001-87000 1920-34
36001-40000 1887-89 87001-92000 1934-47
40001-50000 1889-94
That's right. It is pretty old. It would be nice if you took some pictures of the restoration process. I got a very old Buffet. I will post some pics soon and I am thinking of restoring it. Do you do this professionally?
hello tseligas,
these are pictures that i took before i removed the keys as well as after, i have taken pictures of the markings as well, and no i do not do this professionaly ,this is actually the first clarinet that i am restoring that's why i took pictures of it first so i will know how to rebuild it.
hello tseligas, do you know how much this is worth, is it some thing that i should consider getting insured? thanks eeze.
Looks like you got a very well kept instrument in your hands!
As with all appraisals it depends on a number of factors.
-Condition,
-Cracks,
-Pitch, LP, HP (if it's HP you 'd need to modify it a bit if you want to play in a modern band) Let me know if you can't figure it out. It probably is a HP though.
-Market (Who is interested in this)
-Key
So for somebody that wants it for a band...I would think ~$700-1000k for a Bb
If you had a collector I 'd think in the $1500. It is a very rare clarinet!.
Keep us updated with the restoration project!
What did you use for oil?
I have an old buffet that I wanted to restore for a while now. I might decide to work on it now!
How much did you buy it for?
a good friend of mine is a musician and he buys and restores clarinets to sell on afterwards, he told me to use almond oil. you can get it from the pharmacy over here very cheap and it seams to do the job perfectly. as for the price you will probably not believe me with shipping to me from the UK it cost me €120
ps.
you said earlier:
As with all appraisals it depends on a number of factors.
-Condition,
-Cracks,
-Pitch, LP, HP (if it's HP you 'd need to modify it a bit if you want to play in a modern band) Let me know if you can't figure it out. It probably is a HP though.
-Market (Who is interested in this)
-Key
as a reply to this bit
-Market (Who is interested in this)
i would have to say crazy greeks that love greek music and fall inlove with their clarinets. the pictures that where on ebay were useless i bought it as is with out knowing any thing about it, when it arrived yesterday morning i opened the box removed the bubble wrap and fell in love with it instantly. my friend the musician saw it yesterday and offered me €600 on the spot with out knowing any thing about it.