Bb clarinet lamp

[mandodeb]

I played clarinet in high school, and started playing again this year.  I bought this one for $12.50 because it’s a clunker that didn’t work – perfect for upcycling!  The music store guy said it would cost a lot to fix.  Convinced that I was not ruining this 1950’s era instrument, I used Brasso cleaner to brighten the keys.  You would NEVER use Brasso for your clarinet.   After rubbing the keys down, I could play the lower register. AAARRGGHH!  This is the first time I was disappointed because something works!





My favorite part of this lamp?   Someone years ago put a piece of masking tape over a hole instead of getting a new key pad.  Isn’t that cute?





I used a cedar fence post cap ($9.99) that I spray painted black for the base.  I made a channel so the cord can come out the back.  I bought a new lampshade for about $8, then used fabric adhesive to glue beautiful upholstery trim beading to it.  I used a basic lamp wiring kit.

I have a silver clarinet to turn into a lamp next, with a great bright red shade.  Lamp making is addictive!  I was inspired in January by the Swanky Clarinet Lamp posted here on Craftster by RaeRaggs!

 

[MidwestManiac]

I absolutely love this. It's very pretty!!!

[jloveg]

oh I love this lamp!  what a great idea you had!

[KimberlyPye]

Oh, I love it!

Someone gave one of my grade-school music teachers something like that when she retired.  I think they payed tons of money for it, though!

Yours is so pretty! Great job!

[mandodeb]

KimberlyPye, I saw one here in town offered for $229.  This was much cheaper and a ton of fun to make.

[pantsafari]

this is so cool!! i actually have a clarinet that i played in elementary school and was wondering what to do with it... you have definately inspired me!

[KMOM13]

Great job on the lamp!   What a great way to display a clarinet and the beaded fringe at the end of the lampshade really make the lamp.

[blabigail]

OMG!  I was so going to do this if I didn't have finals coming up!  I'm a clarinet major in college and my old clarinet doesn't work anymore so I've been wanting to make a lamp out of it for ages.  I love yours!!!!

[punkypenguin42]

super cool...I love lamps out of band instruments. I have never seen a clarinet one!

[grenouille78]

Oh man, now you have to do a whole series of instrument lamps! I played clarinet, too.

[jwill]

That's really cool. And I love how it looks so classy while being made from an instrument.

[mandodeb]

Just a final "note" to you clarinet lovers:  you can always play the clarinet again when you're tired of your lamp!

The metal electrical tube with the lamp cord is dropped into the barrel of the instrument.  You don't modify the clarinet at all.  The bell of the instrument is not glued to the base, it just rests there with the help of a wing nut.  So, if you want to play it, just remove the shade, take out the bulb, lift your clarinet off the lamp base, and put a #2 reed on the mouthpiece and blow!

[ohmiah]

Beautiful!

[rixies]

That is awesome! I love this! I too played clarinet in high school and just got a nice new one last year. This is a perfect tribute for all clarinetists out there ^_^