Clarinet

Conn "Wonder" Double-Walled E-Flat Clarinet

Elkhart, Indiana
United States

Silver
1895

The first successful metal clarinet made was by Conn, and patented in 1888. The Conn "Wonder" was a double-walled Albert system clarinet that went to market in 1895 with 2000 units featuring gold plated keys on a silver body. This clarinet was one of the first in history--Serial number around 1300, and is in excellent condition. The Albert system of key work and fingerings was developed by Eugène Albert, a pupil of Adolphe Sax, who made changes and improvements to the keywork designed by Iwan Muller in 1809. Although the Albert System, often referred to in Great Britain as the "Simple System," is considered outdated by most modern clarinetists, it still is the instrument of choice for many playing traditional New Orleans style jazz. These clarinets have a fabulous tone, but were high pitched, playing a little less than a half-step above the modern normal pitch.

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC

http://www.geocities.com/silverleafjb/clarinet2.htm; http://usuarios.lycos.es/albertsystem/; http://www.silver-clarinet.com/

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