George Catlin (musical instrument maker) first successful manufacturers of bass clarinets in the world. An alto clarinet, unsigned but of similar design to Catlin's bass clarinets and very probably by him or one of his students, has survived; made circa 1820, it is one of the first known examples of the instrument. George Catlin (musical instrument maker) George Catlin (1778-1852) was a prominent American maker of musical instruments. He worked in Hartford, Connecticut from 1799 or earlier until about 1814, when he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to his advertisements in Connecticut newspapers he made pianofortes, harpsichords, violoncellos, guitars, bassoons, clarinets, "hautboys" (oboes), flutes, and
Institute of Musical Instrument Technology Institute of Musical Instrument Technology The Institute of Musical Instrument Technology is the main professional body for all musical instrument makers, tuners and repairers. It was inaugurated on 24 February 1938 and was incorporated on 13 March 1961. According to its website, the Institute is the only professional qualification covering the whole field of musical instrument technology. Sydney A Hurren was the founder of the Institute. Other distinguished members, past and present, include Sir James Jeans, Henry Willis III and Henry Willis IV, Sir James Blades, David Grover (Bentley Pianos), Matthias Stöckle (Renner), Herbert Norman, John Norman, Alexander Kerstan (Steingraeber