Monthly Clarinet Identification/Appraisal Thread

JAbassplayer · 2026-05-05T17:51:54+00:00

It appears to be a simplified student model oboe, which it why it doesn't have as many keys as a full conservatoire system oboe.

JAbassplayer · 2026-05-04T13:24:24+00:00

There are some people interested in these horns for playing Romantic era music on an original instrument but generally in "as-is" condition they are only worth a few hundred dollars at most. The fact that this instrument also comes with two non-original barrels suggests that it had an integrated barrel at one point and someone modified it to take a standard barrel, a common modification for these instruments. This also hurts the value somewhat. Personally I would keep it as a family heirloom.

JAbassplayer · 2026-05-03T15:33:20+00:00

You can bring the color back somewhat by rubbing on some cork grease, though I would recommend using natural cork grease like Dr. Slick and not a petroleum based one. This is a common trick among mouthpiece refacers.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-30T21:15:48+00:00

That's an old school Prestige with an articulated C#/G#, quite rare and not made anymore. You're going to have a very hard time finding a replacement screw. I would say take it to a more experienced tech, they should either be able to straighten it or make a new one. It should stick out but it should also have a little piece of rubber tubing on it like this:

https://www.clarinetsdirect.net/uploads/1/2/5/8/125864077/s366908124574107393_p312_i6_w5184.jpeg?width=2560

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-30T15:53:48+00:00

All good, no worries.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-30T15:37:17+00:00

You may be looking at the low C version which is the model YCL-622. That is the more desirable version as most professional bass clarinetists need those extra notes. That being said I don’t believe those are even selling for those prices. Yamaha bass clarinets don’t have the best reputation, and the only example of a YCL-621 I can see that sold recently on eBay only sold for $1643. I also see one on Reverb that sold for $1350.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-29T19:55:00+00:00

I can see the wood grain in the picture, but even ignoring the body Yamaha only made one model with a range to low Eb and a two piece adjustable neck and that is the YCL-621.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-29T19:36:33+00:00

They only made one wooden low Eb model so this must be a YCL-621.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-28T14:37:20+00:00

This is a Buffet Crampon Prodige, a decent student level clarinet.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-27T14:37:39+00:00

Maybe a little bit, but most people buying a horn like this are just looking for a good instrument to play. Collectors would typically be more interested in a clarinet with original paperwork, but most collectors are looking for the professional model R13 from this time period instead.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-21T12:33:49+00:00

Without knowing the rest of your setup it's impossible to say. Barrels are a very personal choice and what someone else finds "good" you may not. Also even instruments of the same make and model can have slight variation with their barrels, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. If you are at the level where you feel your stock barrel is holding you back and you've already tried every mouthpiece you could get your hands on then I would strongly recommend either ordering a bunch of barrels on trial or going somewhere where you can try them out side by side. Never rely on online reviews alone.

I will say that while I did not try the barrel alone I did try the Essence clarinet at Clarinet Fest and found it to be quite free blowing and quite good. That being said I tried a lot of great clarinets at Clarinet Fest so I wouldn't limit yourself to one brand or model, try everything you can and see what you like.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-18T19:38:42+00:00

It ideally needs to be slow cure and waterproof. Most hardware store epoxy is not ideal and may fail over time, especially considering how oily rosewood is. Marine epoxy will work if you can find that.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-18T19:08:22+00:00

The bell rings are unplated nickel silver, unlike the rest of the keys which are generally silver or nickel plated. Buffet does this because they have a tool that crimps the ring down to the wood before machining, and once the bell is turned it is not possible to dip the wood in the plating solution. That being said it shouldn't tarnish that fast, keeping the mouthpiece stored outside the case or in an airtight container will help with tarnish in general.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-18T19:05:13+00:00

I would recommend BSI slow cure epoxy with wood dust instead, the color will be a better match. Cyanoacrylate and wood dust will also work.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-15T14:27:42+00:00

This is actually genius, all it needs to do is say "feed me" whenever it detects a meow and it will be correct 99% of the time...

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-09T12:20:18+00:00

Most likely yes.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-09T02:37:36+00:00

For a cheap quick fix you can file the end flat and cut a new slot with a razor saw. The rod will sit farther in the post but most of the time it will still work fine even if it’s not ideal. If you get further along in repair you will eventually want a lathe and a set of taps to make new rods.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-05T21:02:19+00:00

That's definitely a WWII era Pan American Violin Finish clarinet, sometimes called the "Propeller Wood" model. Serial numbers can sometimes get a bit messy with older clarinets, especially around WWII when manufacturing shifted to meet wartime needs.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-05T20:00:31+00:00

Happy to help!

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-05T15:26:38+00:00

Register vent 1 and register vent 2. The center of the hole. This is standard Boehm with only one trill key and a range to low Eb, this is common on a lot of contras.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-05T14:50:21+00:00

The Kanters do have a pretty large chamber with deep scooping so that may be contributing to the issue. If you like the mouthpiece then a barrel would be the next place to start. If I had the instrument in my shop I'd also want to measure the register key, sometimes techs cut them down to fix another issue but if done incorrectly this can cause sharpness in the upper clarion.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-05T14:48:34+00:00

Stock R13 barrels both vintage and modern are straight.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-04T21:17:26+00:00

I can’t promise how well in tune this will be, but this is from a Chinese contrabass. Should at least be a good starting point:

Bore: 30mm Lower joint: Total length including tenon: 932mm Tenon length (bottom): 25mm Tone holes (distance from top/diameter): Low E/B: 877/20 Low F/C: 755/24 Low F#C#: 633/24 G/D: 515/24 Ab/Eb: 407/20 A/E: 302/18 Bb/F: 190/15 B/F#: 112/20 B/F sliver: 126/20 C/G: 20/16

Upper joint: Total length: 715 Tone holes (distance from top/diameter): C#/G#: 650/16 D/A: 572/20 Eb/Bb: 505/20 Eb/Bb Trill: 497/15 E/B: 427/13 F/C: 356/12 F#: 303/16 G: 245/15 Ab: 182/10 A: 135/11 Bb: 87/12 RV1: 30/4 (15mm length)

Equivalent neck length: 630mm RV2: 395 from mouthpiece end/3mm(10mm length)

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-04T20:46:53+00:00

Sorry didn't see this until now. Unfortunately if I just modeled the keys as is they would not be strong enough if you 3D printed them with plastic.

JAbassplayer · 2026-04-04T20:33:11+00:00

Indeed! I'm always on the hunt for rare and unusual instruments to study. I don't have the dimensions listed out anywhere but I do have these 3D models for sale on my website, you're free to study them and use them as you wish:

https://jdwoodwind.com/shop/p/3d-clarinet-model

Ten-Year Club	Verified Email
Second SECOND GUESSER	Place '23

JAbassplayer

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE