Klarinet Archive - Posting 000382.txt from 2009/02

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Boosey & Hawkes Special
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:12:12 -0500

I remember one of my friends at college having one so marked. In his
case it was actually a reject "Emperor". The Emperor was the Boosey's
semi-pro quality clarinet. In the 1950's it was 50% dearer than a
Regent but only about half the price of the Imperial (926 or 1010}
However the Emperor was good enough for Chris Ball to use it in the
Halle Orch. at that time.
I believe that the name Westminster was later used for these
clarinets and the 'Special" was then a reject Imperial (usually 926)
body with cast keywork as designed for the Regent. However Boosey put
all sorts of names on their rejects at this time, so probably someone
else will give you different information.
They could be a bit of a gamble but some were very good instruments.
If it happens to be a good one a Peter Eaton mouthpiece is well worth
considering. If you have a reject 1010 that is probably your only
sensible choice as they are difficult to play in tune with a standard
mouthpiece.

Martin

On 19 Feb 2009, at 20:26, Lelia Loban wrote:

> Can anyone tell me anything about the Boosey & Hawkes Special model
> clarinet? I bought one cheap at a local "get rid of it" auction
> last night. This is a Bb grenadilla clarinet with the model name
> "Special" and (smaller) "Made in England" in block sans-serif
> letters on the top section, above the A/Ab crossover keys. The
> serial number, on both sections, dates the clarinet to late 1951 or
> early 1952. Standard Boehm keywork, 6 rings, 17 keys. The keys are
> cast, not forged.
>
> There's lots of info online about Boosey & Hawkes, the pro-quality
> Imperial and Emperor (1010) clarinets and the student-quality
> Edgeware and Regent, but I haven't been able to find a thing about
> the Special. It needs new corks and pads before I can try it out.
> Any information much appreciated!
>
> The only mouthpiece in the case is an after-market hard rubber
> Noblet that seems to be a lot newer than the clarinet. (There are
> no tooth scars and the mouthpiece cork looks fresh, whereas the
> clarinet corks and pads are all extremely deteriorated and the key
> touches show plate wear.) The case appears to be about the same age
> as the clarinet, but it has no manufacturer's logo. The case is
> wood, contoured, small, with good brass "Presto" latches and key,
> matte black Keratol covering in an alligator hide pattern and an
> amusingly hideous, shiny, orange fake fur lining. The mouthpiece
> and reeds had not been kept clean and the case and instrument smell
> bad, but otherwise there's no damage except the potential for
> cracking later because someone has glued the metal tenon rings to
> the wood.
>
> Lelia Loban
> http://members.sibeliusmusic.com/Lelia_Loban
>
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