Penzel Mueller, Artist, B Flat Clarinet
Penzel & Mueller were a German/American manufacturer of clarinets in Long Island N.Y. with the firm being active from 1882 through to the 1950s. Their clarinets were considered among the finest quality professional models made in the USA. This top of the range clarinet stamped "Artist" is in very good condition for an instrument which probably dates to the 1950's, and is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. There is no damage to the wood which is fine, dense grained Grenadilla, apart frm a few minor surface marks and scratches. The German Silver keywork shows a natural patina commensurate with the age of the clarinet. The matching serial numbers are L1634B. The instrument comes with a hand written card by Walter Mueller, Vice-President of PM, in which he states that this clarinet was selected by himself for the original owner. In common with most traditional German designs there is very little bore flare at the bottom, which results in a typical German robustness and focus to the sound. These clarinets were much favoured by American Jazz players, apparently Woody Herman played an Artist model prior to WW2. The instrument has used tan leather pads throughout, all are sealing well. The case is the original in good used condition, as is the supplied m'piece.