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 good condition for an instrument which probably dates to the 1940's, and is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. The previous owner was a leading British Jazz player. There is no damage to the wood which is fine, dense grained Grenadilla, apart from a tight hairline surface crack to the barrel. The German Silver keywork shows a natural patina commensurate with the age of the clarinet. The matching serial numbers are M1501B. 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, the bore is large at just over 15.00mm. These clarinets were much favoured by American Jazz players, apparently Woody Herman played an Artist model prior to WW2. The instrument has just had a complete opverhaul in fish skin pads in our workshop, and is sold with our full 1 year warranty. The case is in good used condition, as is the supplied m'piece, a stock Buffet.