Customer conn Clarinet Surprise

A local man called this week and said he had a Conn clarinet that his aunt gave him in the 1940's and wondered if I could restore it for his daughter to use in community band? I said, 'Sure, bring it on in', expecting maybe a 424N or, if he was lucky, a 444N.

 When  they arrived it turned out to be this 1925 4N Albert system in hard rubber: We were all surprised! I'm still amazed at the number of old Alberts that continue to turn up in closets and attics after all these years. I explained to them that a few of the fingerings would be a bit different but, as the instrument plays at Bb LP, there was no reason she couldn't give it a whirl if so inclined. They said 'Yes, go ahead' so here, a few days later, is the finished article.

 Its a nice player, with comfortable keywork and a full Albert tone, and I look forward to giving it back to them today - she's so excited!