 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Petrina
Date: 2018-09-21 19:31
Hi I've just purchased a Boosey and Hawkes wooden clarinet and I'm trying to find out what model it is.
All it says on it is Boosey and Hawkes London and the serial number 37827. It's also strange in that it does not have the brass coloured metal at the joints next to the cork. The only other thing to note is the bell has a silver ring at the bottom.
Thank you.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2018-09-22 02:22
That is a very early post-war instrument, almost certainly made in 1946.
Without a picture it's hard to say what model it is as B&H were introducing several new models at that time, all of which were acoustically based on what would become known as the Imperial or 926.
It could possibly be a prototype Imperial as these were produced initially with a bell with a metal ring around the large end, not the grooved wood end of regular production.
Or it could be an early Edgeware, Emperor or even Regent.
Are the keys Silver or nickle plated ?
Are they forged nickle silver or cast Mazac ?
What style of B&H logo does it have (again a picture would help)
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Author: Petrina
Date: 2018-09-28 00:39
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for that. All I can tell you at the moment is that every key is stamped with 926-B- and then a different number follows depending on the key. The keys are a very soft material definitely not learner friendly and are really quite delicate.
As for pictures I am really quite stumped as how to add them for you. When I work it out I will gladly post them.
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Author: Zia
Date: 2018-09-28 00:53
i had to compress and degrade the files using an online programme to get them to be small enough. I believe the codes on the back of the keys was for the B&H replacement key code, they no longer exist but thats what they were for. So are the rings on the barrel top of the lower joint and top of the bell? if so and these are smooth it would indicate a 926 but pictures would obviously help a lot.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2018-09-29 02:10
Hi Petrina,
Are those numbers under the keys stamped "into" the metal i.e. they go below the surface of the key, or are the numbers raised "above" the surface of the key.
perhaps you could also describe the shape / design of the B&H logo.
I have seen a few logos of that period that were quite small and circular, unlike anything normally seen on their clarinets.
Another clue might be the style of the thumbrest. does it sit on the surface of the wood, or is it set into the wood.
re the note by Zia, the finalised production 926 Imperials had the smooth body rings but the prototypes had french style banded rings.
Just to cloud matters I have seen some 1946 produced 926s with smooth rings but a lower serial number than some of the prototypes with grooved rings.
The way B&H issued serial numbers can be quite confusing.
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Author: Petrina
Date: 2018-10-01 22:54
Hi Caroline,
The numbers are all raised including the ones under the pads.
The thumb rest is fitted to the surface and not sunken into the wood.
The logos on the barrel, top section and on the bell are the round thing
with a note coming out onto the top. The top section also has the words "Boosey and Hawkes" with "London" underneath. The bell however has the words "Boosey and Hawkes" only underneath the logo and a silver ring at the end of the bell. I can't see any words on the barrel.
The rings are all French style banded rings.
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Author: Petrina
Date: 2018-10-01 23:03
Hi Caroline,
Sorry the Bell and top section have "Boosey & Hawkes" and not "and" stamped on them.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2018-10-03 01:37
Hi Petrina,
that would appear to indicate a very early Regent or Edgware model.
The raised lettering on the keys indicates they are cast in MAZAC, a rather brittle and unyielding alloy.
Don't attempt to bend these keys to adjust them, as they will likely snap.
These early models were made of wood, usually of pretty good quality, whereas in later years all Regents and many Edgwares were made in various plastics.
In the UK production models switched quickly to ringless bells but similar models for the US market kept the bell rings
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