 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-05-09 20:41
I'm currently working on a B & H Edgware clarinet which is a bit of an oddity. It has a bell ring and the serial number is 1501XX, indicating a 1974-5 build, but the keywork is diecast Mazak and the B & H logo is the old-style, which I think indicates an earlier build than 74-5. The general condition of the instrument would also suggest an older instrument than the number suggests. I don't think there's any doubt that it is a genuine Edgware. Can anybody advise as to when B & H used diecast keywork? I thought it was restricted to the post-WW2 era, when metal shortages still existed. Thanks in advance.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-05-09 22:39
1501xx is a mid 1950s instrument, not a '70s one. The serial number list you're referring to is around twenty years out, so take off (or is it add on) twenty years and you'll be in the right ballpark. B&H clarinets from the '70s will have serial numbers in the 300000-400000s - by 1983 they were in the 500000s.
The only serial number list that's the most correct is this one:
http://www.clarinetperfection.com/clsnBH.htm
Do you know for definite it has die cast Mazak keys? Edgwares of this era will indeed have numbers on the undersides of the keys, but they're stamped into the key and arranged in a 2x2 square configuration whereas Mazak keys will have a long string of numbers in a single line and they'll be raised above the surface of the undersides of the keys.
The only B&H clarinets made in the '50s with Mazak keys (bearing in mind this is for the UK market I'm talking here) were the all wooden Regents and also the B&H "77" which have ebonite bells.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/59YAAOSwq5lToAbx/$_86.JPG
B&H Edgware clarinets made for the export market usually had metal bell rings, although some such as the Besson "55" and "75" had them too as did the Marlborough - the Series 2-20 (which is basically an Edgware) also had metal bell rings. The majority of UK spec B&H clarinets didn't have bell rings.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-05-09 22:46)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-05-10 04:06
Many thanks for your response, Chris. The serial number list solves some of the mystery.
This instrument was originally purchased in Holland, which may explain the bell ring. I've also found bell rings and mazak keywork on Edgwares from the US. A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Edgwares from a lady who had originally bought them new in the US in the mid-50's. Both had bell rings, the A had nickel silver keys and the Bb had mazak keys. The one I'm working on now seems to have a mix of mazak and nickel silver keywork.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-05-10 04:12
What configuration are the numbers on the undersides of the keys?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-05-10 13:26
Some are indented in the normal fashion of nickel silver keywork, some are raised, with distinct injection moulding marks on the keys. Definitely mazak, I've seen a lot of it. Lighter in weight as well.
Tony F.
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