Wurlitzer Bass Clarinet Appraisal

Vintage Wurlitzer Bass Clarinet

This is a vintage bass clarinet manufactured by Wurlitzer, presented in a disassembled state. The instrument is constructed with a dark body, likely made of Grenadilla wood or a high-quality composition material, featuring nickel or silver-plated keywork. The set includes the upper and lower joint sections, a curved metal neck (crook), a flared bell with a support peg attachment, a floor peg for seated playing, and a mouth-piece protected in a plastic sleeve. Physically, the instrument shows significant signs of age and use; the metal components exhibit noticeable tarnish, oxidation, and surface pitting, particularly on the bell and crook. The cork joints appear aged and may require replacement for a proper airtight seal. Notable features include complex Boehm system keywork and several long spatulas and rods typical of mid-20th-century woodwind engineering. While no serial numbers are immediately visible in the image, the manufacturer's mark 'Wurlitzer' is historically associated with this model of student-to-intermediate grade woodwinds. The overall condition suggests the instrument requires a professional overhaul, including cleaning, polishing, and likely re-padding to be in playable condition. Despite the surface wear, the structural integrity appears intact without visible cracks in the body joints.