hi there, can anyone help me please! I bought a second-hand clarinet on the internet, and when I asked a friend to check it over,it appears that that the keys are very different from the norm... the instrument was sold as a clarinet, and looks like one unless you know the usual key set-up! I know, buyer beware etc. ... but I was amazed when my friend said she`d never seen anything like it - any ideas anyone - please?!!

well i paly a base calrinet myself
but u might of saw a diffrent family such as
oboe
i have been playing a oboe its reed sticks out and iy is verry expensive

but for most part these clarinets are probaly scammed if they are nto oboes

thanks Gary - it isn`t an oboe though - I used to play one of those at school - it is the size and shape of a clarinet, and has a clarinet mouthpiece and reed - it`s just the levers and general set-up of the metalwork on the keys that`s quite unconventional. Thanks again for trying to help!

Maybe its a different system
I`ve been playing clarinet for a little while now - and although i`m only in high school- i`ve been fortunate to start on clarinet at a young age, and i``ve played different systems of keys.
We play on the Boehm system but about 60 years back they used a system called the Albert system which is simpler- and has rollers on the right side and keys quite like that of a saxophone.
Another system- the german system called the Oehler system( i think thats how u spell it) and it is more like the Albert system.
What brand is it, and what age is it?
If i knew those 2 things i might be able to determine it better for you Lesley...............

thanks Bradley, that`s really useful stuff - i don`t know anything about this clarinet unfortunately; but it`s not a wooden one, and has red thread where the pieces fit together. I don`t think it`s a vintage instrument. I`m really grateful for that information, thanks again.

You`re very welcome
that is interesting though- red thread?
if you need more help - i`d be willing to check it out- i have alot of clarinetist friends that might know......
if i find out i`ll get back to you on the forum
also- if you find out, then i`d certainly like to know, because i have never heard of this before- the only thing it could be is the oriental version of the clarinet- they have alot of similar instruments, but they are different slighty in appearance and sound.

WOW...ummm...that`s pretty strange! I can`t really help you too much on this one...but for the future, the safest thing is to make sure that the buyer has a picture, along with a 14 day trial of the instrument in case you get it and it`s a little...odd. I am really sorry that had to happen to you...what brand is it? do you know? check the serial # (if it has one) and call a local music store or something. Best Wishes!

Looks to me as though you have a one of kind oringinal in ur hands maybe you should go to an antique dealer or an appraiser and maybe they can tell you more about what it is and where it may have came from. Heck it might even be an original from somewhere. You know before they ajjusted the original, the chalemeau. They did this the 1800`s it might just be that old. How old does it look?

Maybe its a Eflat clarinet

lesley,

I think bradley may be right about what u have though a still think u should get it appraised or something but hey thats just my opinion!

reply when u finally get the answer to what type of clarinet it is.

It most likely is not an Eflat clarinet. Eflat clarinets have the same key system as any other clarinets. The difference is that E-flats are pitched differently, smaller in size, lighter, and is in one piece.

This mystery clarinet is either:
A) a German Oehler clarinet
B) a extended range basset clarinet
C) an origional antique (doubtful)

Well- this must be one of those Indian clarinets that use the Albert system. They are very popular on Ebay and other online stores like that , and the sellers constantly deceive buyers into believing they are playable.

Here is a comparison of an indian clarinet with the red thread tenons, red plastic pads, and so on.

http://www.elidatrading.co.uk/ghastly.htm

Bradley

This is the correct link!- sorry about that!


http://www.elidatrading.co.uk/ghastly.htm

Whoa thats a wierd clarinet!! That looks like that would be what she has.. that is unusual

Go Bradley! lol