Please be aware that our normal warranty/guarantee cover does not apply to this instrument as it has been pre-owned by a client and sold by us on their behalf.  Whilst we do all we can to ensure that they are working to the best of their ability, such goods are purchased as seen. However if the item is purchased online, the procedure is covered by our distant selling rules which can be found on the delivery/returns page.

This matched pair of Louis and Co Bb & A clarinets is an absolute masterpiece for the professional orchestral player or serious collector.

This historically matched, early interwar pair of Louis & Co. (Chelsea, London) Bb and A clarinets (Serials 601 and 257) represents the golden age of British woodwind making. Both instruments proudly bear the crisp, fully legible "Approved by Chas. Draper" premium stamp and are in 100% pristine condition with absolutely zero cracks, splits, or historical repairs to the seasoned Grenadilla wood.Featuring the highly coveted, rare early-period ebonite rollers on the low F and G-sharp touchpieces, these instruments offer incredibly smooth mechanical transitions.

They have just been fully overhauled and repadded with premium pads and corks, making them fully sealed, mechanically tight, and completely ready to step straight into a modern symphony orchestra or chamber group.

Historical Background:  To understand why Louis & Co. clarinets are so revered, one must look at the interwar era of British music. Founded in 1923 at 2 Burnsall Street, Chelsea, Louis & Co. was established by a consortium of elite musicians led by Charles Draper—widely celebrated as the "grandfather of English clarinet playing. "Draper and his contemporaries were deeply dissatisfied with the mass-manufactured instruments of the time. They set out to build a premier British instrument that could rival the legendary, highly coveted French handmade clarinets by Martel Frères. Every single Louis clarinet was entirely bench-crafted by hand. A master craftsman spent days conically undercutting the tone holes and meticulously hand-tuning the acoustic bore to achieve a liquid, vocal warmth and incredibly precise intonation.Because production numbers were intentionally low to maintain uncompromising quality, very few matched pairs were ever created. Finding a pristine, crack-free pair today from their earliest production run—complete with the original Martel-style pinky rollers and Draper’s personal stamp of approval—is an extraordinary rarity. This pair is not just a set of fine instruments; they are a living piece of British orchestral history.

Wear & Tear Observations: These instruments are in good condition overall, showing an exceptional level of preservation for a century-old matched performance pair.

The seasoned Grenadilla wood bodies are structurally pristine, completely free of any cracks, splits, pins, or historical structural repairs. The original "Approved by Chas. Draper" maker stamps remain clearly legible across the joints. Mechanically, the keywork shows light, honest vintage wear consistent with age, but remains completely intact and fluid. Best of all, because this pair has been completely repadded and overhauled, the seals are airtight, the action is snappy and responsive, and both the Bb and A clarinets are fully optimized and ready to be played immediately on stage.

• Rare
• Handcrafted models
• Made in late 1920-s to mid 1930's
• Low F and G# rollers
• Pair of Bb & A clarinets
• Early desirable models

This pair of clarinets are supplied in a hard double case with case cover. Please note there is no mouthpiece or other accessories with these clarinets.

For more information view our Delivery & Returns page.