 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: ddgreen45
Date: 2014-07-14 15:22
can anyone help with two questions please.
Serial number 177570 629 any idea how old?
also I need the key which jumps between the top and bottom sections. this one has gone missing somehow any ideas for spare parts.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-07-14 19:14
The Besson Westminster is identical with the Boosey and Hawkes Edgware. The keywork from the Edgware or Emperor should fit OK. Avoid if possible using keywork from Edgwares from the immediate post-WW2 period, as some of them used injection-moulded keywork, made of Mazak and non-repairable. Windcraft have B & H keywork, but your local tech will probably have some in his junk-box.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-07-14 19:25
Your Besson Westminster is from between 1955 and 1960. Depending on what the RH ring key foot/linkage piece looks like will determine the LH2 rings - if the sides of the RH ring key foot/linkage are parallel, then the LH2 ring key linkage will be flared and vice versa. This is made in the period when they changed the keywork in several places and went from two trill key guides to one on the top joint.
Besson Westminsters and their counterparts, the B&H Edgware and Series 2-20 normally have drop forged nickel silver keywork which is nickel plated. The B&H "77" and wooden Regents from the '50s had die cast Mazak keywork which couldn't be repaired by conventional methods if it broke.
Look for any plating wear on the keys so you can see the base metal - if it's yellowy in colour, it's nickel silver which is a copper, tin and nickel alloy which can be hard soldered easily. If it's silvery grey or dark grey like lead (in fresh or in tarnished state) and smells like die cast model cars, then it's Mazak which is a zinc based alloy which is very difficult to repair once broken.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-07-14 19:40
I have 2 Edgwares from the early 50's with the US market bell ring. They were bought in the US and both have Mazak keywork.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
