 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Beth
Date: 2001-01-07 06:17
I need some input from all you B & H lovers out there. I grew up playing my mom's B & H from the 40's, don't remember the model, but it did have "soft keys" but I truly loved the sound, especially the lower register. I put that up in H.S. and have been playing recorders and crumhorns for the last 20+ years. Have recently taken up the clarinet again and I'm playing recreationally in a community band, (3rd clarinet - not the ambitious sort, enjoy playing counter to the melody) on a borrowed plastic Armstrong. It's a nasty instrument, sounds stuffy and notes are hard to get out, so I'm more than ready to get my own clarinet again. To make a long story short, I've lost track of my mom's B & H and I want to buy a used B & H. I keep seeing the Edgeware and 2-20 models for sale but I haven't been able to find any info on either models. Where I live, rural SE, everyone is a buffet lover and look at me cross-eyed when I mention B & H. Can anyone help? I really appreciate any input, tonality, wood v. plastic, reasonable range of value, what to look out for etc. Thanks.
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeester
Date: 2001-01-07 12:16
Dear Beth,
I would recommend to you the B&H 1010 which you can easily find second hand in U.K for a very reasonable price.
Otherwise, if you are willing to invest more, you should go for Peter Eaton clarinets, which are inspired on the 1010s.
The 1010 is a large bore clarinet which has a very beautifull sound (Jack Brymer used to play on those), but which is difficult for tuning.
Best wishes
Daniel Bouwmeester
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Author: Earl
Date: 2001-01-07 13:40
Regarding the B&H plastic vs wood part of your question, I played a plastic model for 5 years (30 years ago) and had good success, but was amazed at the improved tone (and band chair placement) when I switched to a new wood instrument. (a then new Selmer series 10) More recently I got ahold of a B&H wood model-don't recall which, and found it capable of much better tone than I recall from the plastic one. Sadly my technique is now better suited to 5th clarinets--that is, the audience! Am having fun, as you are, rebuilding.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-07 14:13
Earl wrote:
>
> ... Regarding the B&H plastic vs wood part of your question,
> I played a plastic model for 5 years (30 years ago) and had
> good success, but was amazed at the improved tone (and band
> chair placement) when I switched to a new wood instrument.
It is not the material but the fact that the plastic ones happen to be beginner grade while the wood ones are intermediate or higher grade. And there is tremendous variability from brand to brand that is unrelated to material. This is the source of the difference. Get hold of an old Pan American student horn if you want to find out how lousy a wooden instrument can be. The student plastic clarinets from Buffet, Leblanc, Yamaha, or Selmer are much better than the Chinese junk that is so common on the market today. Although I have a pro grade instrument, if I had to choose between the wooden Pan American that I used to have and a Vito (Leblanc's plastic student horn), the Vito would win hands down.
Also bear in mind that when people get a new instrument they are often at a point in their development where they are ready to make a quantum leap in ability. They are also at a point where they are more motivated to practice. They are starting to develop some knowledge on using good mouthpieces and reeds. Almost all mouthpieces that come with student horns should be trashed. Just changing the mouthpiece can make an unbelievable difference on the student horn.
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Author: Beth
Date: 2001-01-07 18:50
Thanks for the input. I am using an upgraded mouthpiece, LC3 with a rovner ligature, that we had bought for my daughter (before she switched to oboe and flute). I probably won't stick with it, but it isn't bad for now. I realized that besides tracking down a wood B & H, I'll also need a plastic clarinet for outdoors concerts. That's mainly our venue in the late spring and summer and where I live, the weather is extremely humid and windy during those times. Any input on plastic clarinets?
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Author: Beth
Date: 2001-01-07 19:30
The 1010 sounds interesting. Can you list any url's on used instrument dealers in England as a starting point?
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Author: Beth
Date: 2001-01-07 23:44
Do you think a tuning barrel would help with the 1010's tuning quirk?
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Author: Lindy
Date: 2001-01-08 09:25
To Beth,
Myatts are the best for second hand clarinets, www.myatt.co.uk, the shop is near Luton. If they don't have what you're looking for they'll keep your details till it turns up.
I played an Edgware (still have it for spare), for years, got me through all my exams before I could afford my RC (buffet) which came second hand from the above shop.
Howarths are also good but this means central London which is more of a pain for me, depends where you live really.
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Author: Joe Spencer
Date: 2001-01-08 14:19
Two people you might wish to e-mail:
Dave Spiegelthal (sp?) is a sponsor and frequent contributor here. He has apparently bought and overhauled several B&H's, and has posted on the merits of wood vs. plastic models.
Also, there is a fellow/gal? who buys many B&H clarinets on ebay. I assume s/he sells them after overhaul. ID is "rbcs". You might try contacting.
Good luck.
Joe
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-01-08 17:12
Early B&H 1010s e.g. 1930s are a different proposition to the later ones from c 1960s onwards. Most people would say they were better, but you might like the later models. I have a 1955 1010 which is very nice. Later ones could be dull, raucous and stuffy, so watch out! The 926 Imperial (of which both Edgware and Emperor were student derivations) was thought to be a very reliable clarinet. A very direct if inflexible sound, good for band and orchestra. Worth trying and less problematic to play than a 1010. Late period Emperors had shoddy quality control. The keys could bend, pad closure was indifferent, and tuning often way out. Take care with this brand of instrument, although good examples are very nice.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-01-11 09:21
Hi Beth,
In addition to the Boosey and Hawkes 1010's there are the 925 models Bb & A which are I believe similar in bore etc. but have plated keys. Watch out on any Booseys for softening of the tone holes ie. wear on 3rd finger left hand open hole and tone hole 'chimneys' under rings.
Boosey clarinets do tend to last however. I use a beautiful pair of Barrett action Clinto clarinets made by Boosey & co. prior to their amalgamation with Hawkes which are the equivalent quality level to the top of the range 1010's with sleeved tuning barrels and ferrules on each tenon and solid silver keywork.
E bay is a good place to find Boosey instruments.
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