The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Boosey & Hawkes Clarinet- Very Odd!

Author: MelVintage
Date: 2014-05-29 03:08
Attachment: Boosey Albert (1)a.JPG (27k)
Attachment: Boosey Albert (5)a.JPG (22k)
Attachment: Boosey Albert (11)a.JPG (18k)

Hello folks,

I tend to come across the more obscure items and this one really has me stumped, the serial number dates this Grenadilla wood Boosey and Hawkes Clarinet to 1927.

What is rather unusual is not only is it an Albert system- sax fingering with rollers, this is also plateau, it is also a one piece body, separate bell and barrel, and the even more uniqueness to it is at the bottom of the body it has a triangle stamped with 'Majestic' , this is rather rare I am sure.

So has anyone ever heard of a Boosey "Majestic" clarinet! This is a first for me, a first for a very good friend of mine who has been repairing for in excess of 30 years.

Obviously it is in dire need of overhaul which it is going to receive shortly, however, when playing, it really surprised me, it has absolutely Huge tone, that wow factor, warm, dark, typically woody but so very open, I have not been able to put it down, and this is with the pads shot and tenons as loose as you can get, this is going to be an outstanding Jazz clarinet.

Any input would be gratefully appreciated!

Reply To Message

Re: Boosey & Hawkes Clarinet- Very Odd!

Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-05-29 03:28

I doubt it's a genuine B&H clarinet - it looks more like an Adler or some other German make to me.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Reply To Message

Re: Boosey & Hawkes Clarinet- Very Odd!

Author: MichaelW
Date: 2014-05-29 11:46

Reminds me of our recent discussion about a Keilwerth with plateau keys:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=400739&t=400687

Reply To Message

Re: Boosey & Hawkes Clarinet- Very Odd!

Author: MelVintage
Date: 2014-05-29 13:01

Hi Chris,

The clarinet has a serial number of 26328. I must admit, When I first saw it I honestly thought it was an Oehler, But then comparing this to my early FA Uebel it is certainly different. I also play sax and can play this almost identical to playing one,

I just do not understand why it would be stamped Boosey & Hawkes, London throughout. I suppose if this was indeed possibly Keilwerth and being German made, then the stamp would be obvious. A sax fingering clarinet made in Germany for the UK Market, at the time I suppose if it was marked Germany, then they would not have sold perhaps.

Either way, this seems to be fairly unique in it's own right and even better that it is indeed low pitch.

MichaelW, Thank you for that wonderful link, I see that there were some obvious disagreements on that post, but I have to agree that this is not an Oehler, I then go to believing it is an Albert, but only bits of an Albert.

Whatever, it is jolly nice to play and is probably the most broad open toned clarinet I have at present, and I do have a few!

If we were to date this using the numbers above under the B&H serial numbers, then this would date to C1927 and seems to fit.

Post Edited (2014-05-29 13:13)

Reply To Message

Re: Boosey & Hawkes Clarinet- Very Odd!

Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2014-05-29 20:57

Definitely a german made stencil. Not sure it's a Keilwerth though. Adler's a good possibility; they made a lot of stencils back in the day.

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.