The Plateau System Clarinet Revisited

11/14/2016

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

Lar link

2/24/2017 12:27:11 am

Hi I am a amateur clarinet player, do you have one of these to sell? Thanks

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!

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The Plateau System Clarinet Revisited

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