 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tom Skublics
Date: 2002-07-11 04:07
OK - you know the story. A violin player friend found a clarinet case in the garage of the house she's renting and asked me to have a look at it. So into the pit it comes and I look it over. It's a Boosey & Hawkes "Regent". I have read through the Bulletin Board and found some comments on this horn, but not an answer to her question.
The horn looked to me to be in bad shape mechanically. But the wood looked in excellent shape - no cracks, except for the bell which was very bad. With nothing to lose, I stick my mouthpiece on it and blow expecting nothing. To my surprise, in spite of leaks and clunky keys, it had a big, warm sound.
My rough guess would be $200 to $300 in repairs to make it better, ignoring the bell for now.
Her question: is this worth doing to give to some needy student to use, or should it be made into a lamp?
Many thanks!
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Author: Tom Skublics
Date: 2002-07-11 04:20
yeah....as in "useful artwork with a musical theme".
Or, in plain language...it ain't worth putting it into playing condition..
By the way, to add to my first post, I think this horn is probably from the 40's. I don't have the serial number but I can get it.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-07-11 05:08
The "needy student" factor is highly subjective with lots of sub headings. Only your friend can weigh it all and make the final decision, of course. But, really... I wouldn't consider making the horn into a lamp, or advising anyone else to do so, until it had been evaluated by a reputable repair technician. You say it's somewhat 'playable' as is. Maybe it wouldn't be that expensive to bring up to good-to-play status, not a complete restoration
Before turning it into a lamp you might also enquire about its value as a trade in.
Fortunately, replacement bells aren't *that* difficult to find.
Get a couple of estimates... Then, advise your friend or, better yet, if at all possible, your friend should discuss the matter directly with the tech. You might be pleasantly surprised what some of 'em will do to encourage young folks (and, sometimes, Old Folks
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-07-11 11:44
Your estimate for repair is probably accurate.
The Regent and Edgeware clarinets were solid, student line horns.
If this was an Emperor or 10-10 model, you could do well.
The Regent is also an older design, you may find the modern intermediate clarinets to be much better all-around players.
You may also find 'needy students' conservative about brand choices.
If they don't recognize the name, it may be a losing cause.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-07-11 12:55
Ha..the needy students probably want R-13s.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-11 14:11
Good advice above, esp. by Ron and S B. My first advice would be to measure the upper joint bores because of B&H's very large bore cl's [15.3 mm, about .600"] for their 10-10 and others. If above 15.0 [.590], DONT make a lamp of it. At least some collector would want it, for display-playing of a "too-large" bore horn and it's characteristics. Others, please help. Don
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-07-11 20:04
I dig the Boosey Hawkes, I have a 2-20 with a Stratford bell on it. The Stratford bell put it back into pitch, with the 2-20 bell it was flat. The Straford body needs some work so untill then the bell stays on the 2-20. I like the way they blow and the flexability is unmatched. They are great jazz horns. A little slow or sluggish compared to a Buffet though. I use a close tip with blue Vandoren #4's, which is opposite of what the English players use. But hey I like it so thats all that matters right?
I think there is a wood Regent (some are plastic) on Ebay for around 50 bucks right now.
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Author: lynn
Date: 2002-07-13 19:55
OK, this is part of my business here (giving instruments to needy kids). I also teach in a rural area where a lot of kids can't afford $600 for an E-11, let alone an R-13. Something like this would be a great horn for a decent high school player who wants to upgrade from their plastic horn. If the horn was plastic, no way would I do this, but since it was probably a good horn at one time it could very well be worth it.
I say if the horn plays in tune, you have three choices. 1) Get the repad, find a bell, and sell it to someone like one of my students. OR 2) find someone (like Dave or Anji??!!) who can do it themselves who might want to fix it up and sell it to them for cheap. OR 3) Sell it cheap as a DIY on eBay or your local community rag.
Lynn
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