 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-01-25 15:17
Just wondering if you can shed some light on why prices for B & H clarinets are so low? I'm seeing them on ebay go for as little as $40. In particular the 2-20 models. I have a 2-20 and find it to be an excellent instrument. The wood is very nice....the keywork is good and it plays well. Is there some reason people shy away from these clarinets? Thanks...
John Gibson
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Author: magritte
Date: 2004-01-25 22:47
For the same reason that Buffets are overpriced. The name, Boosey and Hawkes, has no mystique in America, and the name Boosey sounds sort of comical, like BOOZY. Lucky for you guys that like them, the prices stay low. I have never played one, but I have one on the way: a recently serviced Edgware that I got for practically nothing. I realize that the Edgware is the lowest model, but if I don't like it, I will just resell it.
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Author: madvax
Date: 2004-01-25 23:42
john gibson wrote:
> Is there some reason people shy away from these clarinets?
Two reasons:
1. B & H is not one of the big four (B & H does not = Buffet)
2. Intonation - I've had a couple of B & H intermediate clarinets, and they all had terrible intonation. They did play fairly well, as you indicated, but I couldn't get them to play in tune (and yes, I tried different barrels, mouthpieces, tweaks, etc.).
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-01-26 14:27
madvax,
I've overhauled/modified many B&H clarinets of various models, and I've found them to be excellent clarinets after (a) some keywork reshaping to improve the ergonomics, and (b) tonehole undercutting and radiussing of the bell inner rim to improve intonation. With those reasonably simple fixes they sound really good to my ears --- my current 'co-principal clarinet' is a Series 8-10 with the 2-20 "Reginald Kell" keys substituted, plus the aforementioned fixes. I love the way it plays (but then again, I'm not a full-time professional player, and those folks would probably find the intonation still not good enough --- for me it's fine, though). The problem with the entire B&H line was that they were 90% designed --- had the factory spent a bit more time and effort on them they would have been killer clarinets, but they stopped short of making them perfect (akin to GM's automobiles, to stretch an analogy). One thing's for sure, the wood they used was outstanding --- every B&H clarinet I've seen, from the Edgware up to the Symphony 1010, has had very attractive wood and rarely a crack to be found, even in 50+ year-old instruments. Being large-bore clarinets, they do sound a bit different than French instruments --- a 'wider' sound, less compact, sort of a singing quality which I like a lot although it's not to everyone's taste.
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Author: magritte
Date: 2004-01-27 00:55
I received my Edgware that I bought on ebay for $66. Holy Cow! This thing has a big rich sound! I think it is great. I don't notice any intonation problem except the highest notes and I am too much of a beginner to know how to play those yet. I am very pleased with this Boosey & Hawkes.
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-01-27 18:03
Yeah....they are great instruments....at least the wooden ones....not sure about the plastic ones.....
Can't afford the BIG FOUR....try a Boosey....
JG
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2004-01-27 20:00
When Luis Rossi arrived to Chile, (1978 or 79) he played on Boosey (later he changed to its own horns). I have to say that I've never heard a so great player (in life performance). Lately, some professional clarinetists change to boosey. (Rossi was an Idole at this time here).
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-01-28 00:35
Javier
I love your accent.....no really....it's wonderful to know that people from other countries strive to learn English....I correspond with Riccardo Clerici in Italy..at Pomarico....and his English is exceptional (as is yours) though as an American...it's not perfect, so I look between the lines to absorb the meaning....
I was unaware that Senor Rossi was in Chile. I can understand his want to be there.....Did you meet him?
I can also understand his change from Boosey to the Rossi....though I've not played one of his clarinets....I hear they are exceptional.....
The best to you Javier.....and to you clarinetting.......
John Gibson
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2004-01-28 11:23
Thank you John, I do my best, but I'm sure I write in some "spanglish".
Rossi lives in Chile since 1978 or 1979. He played as principal in the Symphonic Orchestra of Chile, then in the Philarmonic Orchestra of Santiago. Then (I don't remember the year) he retired to devote himself as a soloist and to make the clarinets. He has his "atelier" in Santiago. My teacher makes the final assembly of its clarinets, so I have sometimes the opportunity to feel them. He is a very nice people, and a great player.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-01-28 14:48
I see B&H horns listed low but I also see some that are high. I wonder how many that are listed low.....sell low.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-01-29 11:10
They can be hard to voice after an overhaul. I am in the middle of doing a full overhaul on a Regent at the moment. Pad choice is important. Boosey's were originally padded with leather and don't seem to to come out as well using skin. They turn out a bit bright and edgy and tend to feel unstable. Leather pads which are a little bit pointy are the go on these. It helps to stabilise the pitch and mellow out the sound. The radiussing on the inside of the bell tenon is only an issue if they are out of round, in much the same way as it is a problem on the bow joint of older Selmer saxes such as the Balanced and Super Balanced. It is not a difficult fix. Undercutting the tone holes is a preference thing. With the right pads installed most people couldn't tell whether they are undercut or not just by playing. Some of the lower level Boosey's are a bit lightly sprung and improve a bit with a heavier spring at Eb/Ab and on the lower sliver key to keep the bottom end nice and tight.
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Author: jnswickard
Date: 2004-01-31 07:37
I just finished playing the Boosey & Hawkes Symphony Imperial 1010 that Dave Spiegelthal so carefully overhauled some two years ago. As always, he did a truly magnificent job. It has been over a year since I have played any of my clarinets--it was truly a pleasure to revisit this one! Dave did use leather pads on this clarinet--as observed in a prior post.
Anyone looking for an overhaul should look no further--if they can get Dave to do it?
Happy Clarineting
Post Edited (2004-01-31 07:39)
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-01-31 13:55
Jack
Dave overhauled my Boosey 2-20, and used brown leather pads all around....he does excellent work.....
JG
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Author: Ray
Date: 2004-01-31 14:35
Dave - I have an 8-10 as well, restored by me (skin pads), and it plays and sounds so nice! The only problem I have is that the upper clarion is very sharp, which none of my mpcs has yet helped.
I love the beautiful wood, the shape of the barrel, and the solid feel of this clarinet, and the big sound. Its not a pea shooter, for sure. Most people comment that it feels heavy. The keywork suits me well and I didn't make any changes.
What did Kell change in the keywork?
I play it in bands a lot, but in a small group I usually don't because of the B and C being too sharp.
I paid $86 in an auction. I feel that was very cheap, especially now that the clarinet turned out so well.
I had a hard time finding out much about the 8-10 and where it fit in the line. I think it is a replacement for the Imperial 926, an medium-large bore. I probably have that name screwed up. That may be why prices are low - Americans don't know much about these clarinets. I wish I knew more about the 8-10.
I have a wooden Edgware too. It has too many problems, so I will sell it for parts. But the wood is terrific.
Mark - my 8-10 isn't bright or edgy or unstable, so maybe there is variation among the models or among individuals. I wish I had used leather pads, but at the time I was under the impression that they were too porous and didn't seal as well as skin. (This at the same time a friend played marvelously on a leather padded Peter Eaton!)
I have never seen pointy pads of any type. Many of the leather pads I see have rivets or resonators in the centers to keep the leather from sagging into the tone hole. This seems to be the opposite of what you recommend. Am I misinterpreting you? What is a pointy pad? What does it look like and what brand name is it? I am willing to repad, especially if I can improve the intonation a bit.
Thanks,
Ray
Post Edited (2004-01-31 14:39)
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