J A Fils A Clarinet
A rare and superb Jacques Albert Fils A clarinet. Jacques Albert Fils was the last, and most successful member of the legendary Albert family of makers, considered the finest makers in the World during the inter-war years. He made the move to London in the 1930s, though sadly the advent of WW 2 forced him into bankruptcy in 1939. J A Fils made an outstanding range of clarinets with advanced mechanisms including the Degrez system. His family name became synonymous with simple system clarinet in the English speaking world, as their 13 key clarinets were considered the finest available.
This instrument demonstrates outstanding intonation and fullness of tone throughout the entire range, at 14.85mm bore it is of of medium size. The sole owner is a now retired London based professional who used them through the entirety of a long and successful career as a saxophonist and clarinettist.
This A does have a tight surface crack to the upper joint, see the last photo, it does not go through to the bore, nor into the upper tenon either. Otherwise the Grenadilla wood is in fine condition, the bell is in cocus wood. The German Silver keywork and tan leather pads are in excellent condition. The matching serial nos. are 80 and this clarinet can be confidently dated to the 1930s as J A Fils made the move to London in 1930, and this instrument is stamped "London Bruxelles". The A comes in a Buffet double case and tunes well with a modern French bore m'piece, i.e. Vandoren or similar. It would suit a player on a budget looking for a fine professional model at a bargain price to pair with any modern French bore Bb.