 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-08-31 06:43
Recently I've been browsing eBay looking for a larger case for cheap. I found a wooden Boosey-Hawkes Edgware with the perfect sized (clean) case for less than $100.
Normally I'd say that that's too much but I'm always afraid to send my clarinet in for adjustments because I won't have one to play on for a day or so. So, I ask: Is it worth it to purchase an Edgware as a well maintained backup for the next few years? The seller claims it only needs a few new pads and it'll be good to go, no cracks or blemishes to speak of so far.
Your thoughts?
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
Post Edited (2017-08-31 07:05)
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2017-08-31 07:01
The Edgeware is a good student clarinet. I always think it is equivalent to a Leblanc Vito. If it is in good shape, you can't go wrong.
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-08-31 07:06
alanporter wrote:
> The Edgeware is a good student clarinet. I always think it is
> equivalent to a Leblanc Vito. If it is in good shape, you
> can't go wrong.
Even the wooden ones?
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-08-31 11:25
A wood Edgware in good condition is a pretty fair student instrument. I'd say the price would make it an attractive buy. I'd pay that for it if it's in good nick.
Tony F.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-08-31 11:53
The wood in Boosey & Hawkes clarinets tends to be very nice and less prone to cracking than average.
The thing to watch out for on Edgwares is keywork made out of soft brass that's all porous and pitted. Thankfully, only a very few surviving instruments are so equipped--but I encountered one of these 2 years ago.
Blowing resistance of the Edgware tends to be wide open, not unlike a Selmer Centered Tone. The voicing tends to have a very strong fundamental with covered upper harmonics. Response can be ponderous and uneven on an instrument in less-than-perfect repair.
I have a B&H 1-10 and 8-10. On the 1-10, I had cork pads installed on the normally-closed upper joint tone holes. This dramatically lightened up the ponderous response of the instrument, but I'd stop short of calling it a nimble clarinet.
As a backup instrument...sure, why not? If you play jazz at all, you might find the Edgware to be a real treat.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-08-31 15:55
Edgwares never had brass keys - they're made from drop forged, cast and machined nickel silver pieces.
They have the same bore (14.9mm) as the Regent, Emperor and Imperial and it's best to use a 67mm barrel pulled out by around 1mm as the throat notes can be on the sharp side, although a lot of that depends on the player and their set-up.
The Edgware is in the same category as a Buffet E11 or Yamaha 450 - in other words, an entry level wooden clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-08-31 21:00
Hi, Chris:
The Edgware I'm referring to above was a hard rubber example. Much of the plating was gone, even in non-contact areas, and the appearance, patina, and feel of the exposed metal was consistent was what I've seen with badly deteriorated nickel-plated brass keywork. Touchpiece countouring and the thicknesses and shaping of the key cup arms was much different than on my 1-10 and 8-10. A normal Edgware would present itself as the twin of my 8-10.
Honestly, that poor Edgware should've been thrown away.
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-08-31 22:59
Hi Joseph,
I was searching for a larger case for cheap. In that search, I found a clarinet that was adequate inside of a case that I want for under $100.
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-09-01 08:19
While the Edgware, as Chris mentions above, was normally fitted with nickel-silver keys I have come across an example with silver-plated white brass keywork. This was the same keywork as I normally would expect to find on a wood Emperor or Imperial. It may have been a special order, or possibly the factory were offloading excess plated keywork that day. Some strange "mix'n'match" things came out of the B & H factory during the last couple of years of production. Some years back I had some discussion on here with Norman Smale concerning a B & H Emperor which had a completely non-standard narrow bore. Presumably it was made that way, as it had not been sleeved.
Tony F.
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-09-01 18:04
I purchased the Edgware last night! The serial number dates back to mid- 1956. It'll probably need some work but that's alright. Thanks everybody!
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-09-01 19:59
jonathan.wallaceadams wrote:
"The serial number dates back to mid- 1956."
What's the serial number and which serial number list did you look up?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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