 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DrayGuevara
Date: 2007-02-26 11:39
I am a moderately experienced player and am looking to invest in a better instrument. I have seen a lovely Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 926 that I kind of like but wondered what you thoughts might be. I have heard that tuning can be an issue and that the original mouthpieces are not great. What do people think? I certainly like its 'kitch' factor!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-26 12:04
You will normally have to play these with the barrel pulled out by around 2mm so the throat notes are in tune, and you can use any mouthpiece with these.
Apart from that, is it in good condition?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: DrayGuevara
Date: 2007-02-26 12:15
Thanks Chris! As far as I can see - I have seen about 6 images of it over the internet and I was very surprised by its condition - very few scratches and no cracks/chips. Even the original case with a cute 'Imperial' label inside and outercase look in good nick (I wouldnt be surprise if it has spent much of its life in a cupboard). It has also had a recent overhall. The only problem is I can't play it before purchase as I live in another country. It is around $600/£320 which seems a great deal.
Also, would you recommend investing in a better mouthpiece at some point then?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-26 13:30
If the existing mouthpiece is in good condition and suits you, then there's no real reason to get a new one, but try it out to see how you get on with it.
Do you know the serial number of this clarinet? For £320 that's a good price considering the Imperial 926 is in the same league as a Buffet R13 or a Selmer 10S. They were the standard issue clarinets with the Armed Forces bands until B&H stopped production in 1984 and then supplied Buffet clarinets instead.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: nickma
Date: 2007-02-27 21:17
if the mouthpiece is original, stay with it and see what it is like. The dimensions of the model are such that this mouthpiece doesn't play well with french bored instruments. Not sure if it works the other way around or not? I trried a 926 mpc at Howarths a couple of years ago on a Selmer 10G and it just didn't work at all.
Nick
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Author: DrayGuevara
Date: 2007-02-27 23:09
The serial number is "120442". Thanks for all the advice. I think the mouthpiece should be a step up from my old plastic Buffet one I got for £9 years ago!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-27 23:36
Ignore the serial number lists you find online - they're way out.
I think this clarinet is from around the mid '50s going by the serial number - but I can't be more precise than that as the official serial number lists went by the wayside when the B&H group split up.
All I have to go on now are the serial numbers 220000 from 1965 and 550000 from 1983, and have to take a wild at guess the rest. Shame they ditched the serial number search/database thingy as that was handy.
One way to tell if it's an older B&H is by the key shapes - the C#/G# key touch is symmetrical (looking a bit like a leaf) and has a short arm and there are two seperate trill key guides on the top joint.
The later ones from the early '60s onwards had the 'nail file' LH F/C touch, a single trill key guide for both the trill keys and an assymetrical and more rounded C#/G# touch with a longer arm.
There are several other significant differences between the earlier and later B&H clarinets that can only really be seen when compared side by side - the long Bb linkage is different on both, as is the way the throat G# adjusting screw is mounted - earlier ones have the screw running through the G# key cup arm whereas the later ones have the adjusting screw pip soldered onto the upper surface of the cup arm. Also the flat springs have recesses in the keys for them on the earlier ones, and the finger rings are slightly different as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jamietalbot
Date: 2007-02-28 07:19
Actually I,ve just bought a 926 for £200 on ebay.
It's being overhauled at the moment but is in good condition otherwise.
I play a 1010 but fancied having a spare instrument with a different
bore so that I can experiment with different mouthpieces.
Hhhm....maybe I should get out more.
It should be ready next week-I'm looking forward to playing it.
Jamie Talbot
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Author: DrayGuevara
Date: 2007-02-28 07:50
Yes, I think it is a instrument from the 1950s and the C# key does look symmetrical. Can I ask, will its age present with me with any problems and are the vintage models as 'good' as the newer ones? Is it mainly a case of how good the condition of the instrument is?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-28 11:22
As long as it's been well maintained throughout it's life, it shouldn't cause you any trouble and will be just as good (if not better) than some newer ones.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Sarah Elbaz
Date: 2007-02-28 12:37
What a coincidence ,yesterday some one brought to me a set of 926 B&H.
the serial number of the Bb is 304430 and the A looks like 87174 (Its very difficult to read the number).
Both instruments has a lovely tone, except of the throat A and Bb.
There are no cracks in the wood but there is some dry mold on the instrument.
I wonder how old these instruments are and if there is a solotion to the
problematic A and Bb.
Sarah
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-02-28 14:12
Sarah,
The throat A and Bb can be cured by raising their pad opening heights and slightly undercutting the relevant toneholes.
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Author: DrayGuevara
Date: 2007-03-13 18:23
Hey - I have recieved my clarinet and it is wonderful. It makes me sound significantly better which is the main thing! I love its mellow tone, lovely. Thanks for all your help people.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-03-14 00:59
I've just done a gig, and the 2nd alto player is still playing the same Imperial 926 clarinet he's had since he was in the Royal Marines (as well as his wooden B&H Imperial flute, wooden Rudall Carte piccolo and early MkVI alto).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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