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.