Penzel / G. Penzel Pacemaker
Thanks to Gary Kern for giving me the opportunity to review this clarinet!
New information from Gary:
This was part of the description of a G. Penzel Pacemaker with a serial number only 50 higher than mine:
The guarantee card reads: "PMBb Clarinet Pacemaker - 5279 -" Back of card reads: "Penzel Mueller & CO., Inc
36-11 Thirty Third Street Long Island City 6, N.Y."
So the G. Penzel Pacemaker was apparently made by Penzel-Mueller.
The company 70th anniversary brochure does not picture or mention Mr. Penzel. The chrome plated keys on this clarinet would seem to point to a rather later date in Penzel-Mueller's history. The serial number is written vertically like on other P-M clarinets.
Serial #5229B
Barrel: 62.1mm
Bore LH joint top: 14.7mm
Bore LH joint at bottom: 14.9mm
Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping. See how to interpret these results on the Model Comparison Page.
For this test, I pulled1.4mm at the barrel and 1mm at the center tenon.
Intonation summary: The low register D and corresponding A could be lowered by closing the tone hole with glue or wax. The exceptionally flat low E/B could be fixed with a hole in the bell. For a clarinet of this 1930s/40s era, this is OK intonation. The clarinet comes with a lyre holder built right on the center tenon. I think this may be an indication that it was a student level instrument and that they knew it would be used in marching.
Key work quality: Good quality chrome plated keys.
This clarinet is most appropriate for: Anyone, including intermediate to fairly advanced.
Phil's other Penzel Pacemaker Reconditioning:
17Jan2015, #U3668B, For Teresa Y. Slight chipping stabilized at the top of the LH joint. The post for the C#/G# was very stubborn for me to get set properly. Intonation not great.