Conn HR USQM

Thanks to George C for giving this clarinet to me. What a deal!

Serial #B42276L stamped on the left and right joints and even the barrel. The bell has a faint stamp and USQM, so may not be original. But if not, I would not be at all surprised that this instrument was intended for military bands.

Barrel: 58.1mm and way too short for use with modern pitch. This also would fit better for playing against small bore brass. But using this short barrel, there are rather severe intonation problems.

Bore LH joint top: 14.7mm

Bore LH joint at bottom: 14.6mm

Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping. See how to interpret these results on the Model Comparison Page.

For this test, I pulled x at the barrel and x at the center tenon. I am using a 66.5mm wooden barrel for this test

Intonation summary: It would have helped slightly to pull a bit at the center tenon. This is rather good intonation, and would have been great intonation in the day this was made. By today's standards this is still in the strong intermediate level. Many of the notes that are sharp can be brought down by embouchure and resonance fingerings. And the parts that are harder to adjust are already nicely in tune. The above is assuming a standard 66-66.5mm barrel. This clarinet is basically worthless if using the original barrel.

Key work quality: Nothing was bent out of place. This seems to be good sturdy key work.

This clarinet is most appropriate for: This is a sweet antique hard rubber clarinet. It still would be great for students at beginning through intermediate levels, and would be fine for adult learners.

The tenon leading to barrel does not fit my Ridenour barrels.