 I just finished overhauling this 1930's Bettoney Silva-Bet plateau metal clarinet and am wondering - why don't we see more of these? For folks who aren't familiar with the design, it has covered keys with pads like a saxophone, rather than open rings like a regular clarinet!
They sound great, are easy to play, are a real help for people with small hands, thin fingers, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and hand injuries. I've overhauled both Boehm and Albert system versions and both sounded great! They are a bit harder to work on, I admit, and I'm sure that manufacturing costs are a higher, but what a wonderful option to have available! i know there would be a demand as I receive requests on a regular basis. Does anyone know if they are still being produced by a major company in wood, ebonite or metal? Can they be special ordered? Why are they so rare? Feel free to comment....
10 Comments
jeremy
11/6/2017 10:40:46 am
Yes, I just finished a very good French instrument - please check my Shop page
Jeremy Soule
6/10/2017 10:16:28 am
Hi guys, I want to be supportive of exchanges of info on my site, but this is where I do business and make a living - please don't advertise outside business dealings on my website! thanks, Jeremy
jeremy
9/4/2017 07:26:19 pm
Not at the moment, but they do come along...please watch my 'Shops' page...
Dennis Maher
11/6/2017 10:27:15 am
Clarinets seem to require open tone holes for the sound to rush out. I play both saxes and clarinet and am always surprised at the air that is expelled from clarinet tone holes. I always thought that saxes didn't have open tone holes because they are too large! So I wonder if the sound of a plateau clarinet is more muffled.
jeremy
11/6/2017 10:38:43 am
With thin pads and a little extra key height, stuffiness isn't a problem. Just finished a plateau by F. Buisson that speaks very well...
Rosemary
1/13/2018 07:09:16 pm
I found a plateau Normandy on Ebay for my kid with arthritis to march with. Old plastic horn and keys where pitted, my niece has it now and plays it year-round.
Leonard Allman
1/16/2018 08:25:40 am
IIRC these are available new from LeBlanc but, being a special order, list price its $1750.00. YIKES! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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February 2024
AuthorThe Licorice Shtick Blog is the creation of the Vintage Clarinet Doctor, a Winston Salem, NC based woodwind instrument repair shop specializing in vintage and antique clarinets, saxophones, and the occasional flute. Categories |
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