 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Coolhand009
Date: 2012-11-05 13:44
Attachment: sb6.jpg (328k)
I have a old Silva Bet 2 piece Bettoney. I don't know nothing about it. Its in excellent condition for its age. The serial number starts with a "B" and then 40**. Please help me if you know the age or value? I can't find much out there. I believe early 1930's. THANKS!
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-05 14:38
I'm not aware of any H. Bettoney serial number lists being available so I can't give you an exact age. They started making the Silva-Bet model around 1925 and stopped making them in the early 1940's as far as I know. Value is highly dependent on condition. Based on the picture you posted I would say that your's is in pretty good shape. It also has a two piece body which is more desirable. Assuming that it is playable as is and doesn't need any work I would place the value at around $400-$600 depending on the cosmetic condition (plating, number of dings/scratches, etc.). If it has any uncommon features such as an articulated C# or a forked Eb it will be morth a bit more but I can't tell whether you have these or not from the photo you posted.
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Author: Coolhand009
Date: 2012-11-05 14:57
Attachment: IMG_20121103_184613.jpg (1546k)
Attachment: IMG_20121103_184139.jpg (1613k)
Attachment: IMG_20121103_183932.jpg (1866k)
Thanks so much for the reply. I am hoping someone here knows what the "B" stand for in the serial number. Here are some recent photos. All the body parts seem to be working correctly. I think it will need a tune up with new pads and corks thou. I only found one of these online for sale for $1100 but its the one piece in excellent condition.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-05 15:25
I'll stick with my previous assessment of $400-$600. This one is a standard 17/6 boehm without any of the additional keywork. I bought a Silva-Bet in similar condition (except for having a 1-pc. body) a couple of months ago for $250. I'd place the value on one with a 2-pc body a bit higher than that since they aren't as common and will potentially tube better due to having the additional joint to adjust.
Anyone who thinks they can get $1000+ for one of these in today's market is fooling themselves unless they have a museum-quality example.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-05 16:20
Clarineteer wrote:
> How good a player are these particular model Bettoney
> clarinets?
In my experience they play pretty well although the intonation isn't up to par with modern instruments. I'd rate them as being almost as good as the wooden professional clarinets of the period. My Silva-Bet doesn't play quite as well as my K-series Selmer but the difference is fairly small. Compared to modern clarinets the average Silva-Bet will perform at more of the intermediate level.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2012-11-05 17:28
Thanks for your response Steve. How about the Silva Bet that has separate upper and lower joints and the articulated G# with the extra ring that enables the articulated C#/G#. Does this model play like a professional instrument?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-05 18:21
Clarineteer wrote:
> Thanks for your response Steve. How about the Silva Bet that
> has separate upper and lower joints and the articulated G# with
> the extra ring that enables the articulated C#/G#. Does this
> model play like a professional instrument?
Technically the extra ring on the upper joint is for the forked Eb and has nothing to do with the articulated C#. Regardless, the addition of these extra mechanisms typically won''t make the sound of the instrument better or worse. There is some argument that the C# is cleaner on a clarinet with articulated C# since the tonehole is in a more acoustically-correct location but in practice I can't say that I've ever seen it make a noticeable difference.
The additional keywork doesn't have much affect on sound but it can have a significant effect on playability. Players who are accustomed to having the articulated C# and forked Eb will find that they make playing some passages a lot easier at the expense of making some others a bit harder (due to the loss of some alternate fingerings). Conversely players of the regular 17/6 boehm will have a harder time with some passages that are easier to play with an enhanced boehm clarinet. Ultimately I think it's more a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the advantages that the enhanced boehm keywork gives them while others feel that the benefits are outweighed loss of some alternate fingerings.
To answer your question, no an enhanced boehm Silva-Bet will probably not play up to the level of a modern professional clarinet because it will probably still have the same intonation issues as a conventional 17/6 Silva-Bet. Keep in mind that it is pretty harsh to expect any 70+ year old clarinet to play at the level of a new professional model.
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Author: Coolhand009
Date: 2012-11-05 20:01
Steve, I was trying to find out information on "B" in the front of the serial number. Your response was with the letter "H"
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-11-06 12:19
Coolhand009 wrote:
> Steve, I was trying to find out information on "B" in the front
> of the serial number. Your response was with the letter "H"
To my knowledge the letter at the beginning of the serial number doesn't have any special meaning. The "H" I was referring to is in the maker's mark rather than the serieal number. Earlier Silva-Bet clarinets will be marked with the name "H. Bettoney" while some of the later ones may be marked "CB Co." or something similar.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-11-06 15:39
Bettoney's stock mouthpieces for their higher level clarinets were made from standard-quality (not "QUALITE SUPERIEURE") Chedeville blanks. In good condition, these often bring more than the instrument does.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2013-09-22 04:14
Most of the Silva Bets had serial numbers that started with an S, regardless of what key the instrument was. (I have an Eb soprano Silva Bet and also one in A.) I have seen some later Silva Bets a P prefix serial number. Those had a newer style barrel and (in my opinion) do not play as well. However, some with the newer barrels had serial numbers in the S series. It might indicate where it was made -- I have seen some evidence that Bettoney occasionally stenciled horns made by others.
Once restored, Silva Bets are good players. You have to be able to lip some notes up or down to be in pitch. Modern horns check out better with a tuner. I use one for blues and it works great for that.
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