 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tecnui
Date: 2021-09-11 00:44
to start playing again after a long hiatus. I found a older wooden English made clarinet for $150 that had all the pads replaced, recent tune-up from who seemed to be reputable person. Seems to play well, but I can’t really judge after not playing for so long. But the clarinet itself is marked with “made in England” and serial number 76708 on both the upper and lower joints. The bell, barrel and mouthpiece I know aren’t original as the bell is Harry peddler, barrel was replaced by the serviceman, and the mouthpiece is an older plastic evette/buffet replacement.
After a lot of research I believe the upper and lower joints to be a Boosey and Hawkes / B&H clarinet from the early 1950s some of the keys have raised digits with hyphens on the under side of them which leads me to believe it has the Mazak / pot metal keys, which is somewhat disheartening. But still fine.
Could someone confirm my information and possibly tell me what model this is? And also if I did alright price wise. Based on my research I appeared to have payed fair market value which is fine as well.
Photos are linked here: https://imgur.com/a/mQJOZXT
Let me know if you need more! Cheers!
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2021-09-11 02:05
The number indicates that the year of manufacture is 1952 or 53. It is either a Regent or an Edgware. I have a 1953 Edgware that has the same body rings and Mazak keywork. The Regent and Edgware were mechanically and acoustically identical, the difference being in fit and finish. This would be one of the last instruments from B & H to use the Mazak keywork, it was phased out around then. The injection-molded Mazak keys work fine, but don't attempt to bend them, or they will break and cannot easily be repaired. They can be replaced with keys from later B & H instruments.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-09-11 22:26
The two wooden bodied B&H clarinets from the '50s made for the UK market that had die case mazak keys were the budget model B&H "75" which had an ebonite bell and the Regent which was all wood.
Edgwares and higher models normally had drop forged nickel silver keywork - maybe B&H used up their remaining stock of mazak keys for export model Edgwares. Some Edgwares were never stamped with any logos and only had 'Made in England' and the serial number on them.
Export models often had metal bell rings whereas the UK models had ringless bells, although some models such as the Marlborough and Besson "35" and "55" had bell rings. The Series 2-20 from the '60s is an Edgware with a metal bell ring and has drop forged nickel plated nickel silver keywork.
B&H used either phosphor bronze or beryllium copper springs throughout (both needle and flat springs) on their clarinets from the Regent to the Emperor from the '60s until the late '70s where they used stainless steel needle springs as they were much stronger and didn't have that annoying habit of breaking flush with the pillars making the remaining stubs difficult to remove.
I've recently acquired an ebonite Edgware from the late '50s which has a metal bell ring which is in desperate need of a full overhaul, so I'll get round to that at some point and use it as a loaner instrument.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tecnui
Date: 2021-09-12 09:33
Chris and Tony,
Thank you for the responses! I'm glad to hear that my research seemed to be accurate. The clarinet appears to play well and I'm sure it will suit me just fine while I'm learning everything again. Overall I'm happy with my investment for now!
- Jacob
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