Embedded Files
Serial # H14625B It is unusual to have the serial marked vertically. It is marked on both the LH and RH keyed joints. I would guess the age of the instrument to be somewhere around 1925-1940. Announcement: Anyone out there who knows about Penzel-Mueller history, please contact me! An eBay ad gave me the information that PM closed as a company in 1950. It is possible that the Artist model was their professional line. I see one of that model that came with an articulated C#/G#. Another later wooden clarinet is the Brilliante.There are several unusual things about this clarinet, so that I wonder if it might have been partially made in the USA.
[6Jun2012 Now I don't think so! See Monopole by Couesnon and compare the serial number!]
Barrel: 66.9mm No wonder I tended to be flat on a few notes. I normally play a 64mm barrel.
Bore LH joint top: 14.95mm
Bore LH joint at bottom: 14.7mm
Was Penzel-Mueller an early experimenter with poly-cylindrical bores? Answer: Yes. See the review of H-408-B.
The bell is plastic.
Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping. See how to interpret these results on the Model Comparison Page. These results using the 66.9mm barrel pushed all the way in.
Intonation summary: This is professional level tuning accuracy, even by today's standards. The little bit of flatness is due to my playing so loud. No wonder Penzel-Mueller horns are so prized.
Key work quality: Very pretty nickel silver. The key work is good, but will require reasonable care. This is not a horn for marching band.This clarinet is most appropriate for: Intermediate to advanced players. Because of the wide bore, this instrument plays freely, and would be the kind of clarinet that may have been intended for 1930's jazz. It has a very nice mellow or dark sound. This would be especially nice for an adult returning to playing.The original case is a clue to my guess that this horn was made before 1933.
Report abuse