 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-10-10 02:54
You always hear about "good years" with R13's. Does anyone have any ideas on B&H 1010's "Golden years". How were the last years of this model, any known problems with 70's on up?
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-10-10 12:09
1930s 1010s are often held to be the best, though specimens that are not worn out or have lost their tuning may be difficult to locate.
More controversially I would say 1950s 1010s are perhaps the best. I have a 1955 and think it is very good.
In the 1960s they added the Acton vent key, which some like and others hate (apparently it can go out of adjustment). There is some doubt that 1970s (particulalrly late examples) are of similar quality of workmanship as earlier or that the wood is not so good. Ditto perhaps for the early 1980s examples, though some say the very late ones (just before production stopped) were made rather better than the immediately preceding ones. There was a fire at the Edgware factory in the 1970s and it has been remarked that this destroyed their wood stocks so they started using less mature wood. But others may know whether or not this is one of those myths.
Each perod has a different sound quality, which I would describe, perhaps a little over simply as: 1930s: translucent light tone. 1950s: more focused and concentrated and a nuttier tone. 1960s onwards: often dulled and flabby. Some people may find these descriptions too extreme.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2002-10-10 14:10
The 1010s were very fine orchestral horns and a few of my students play on them. With the right combination of reed and mouthpiece they play very well. As for quality later on I have no idea. Alot of players like them and prefer them.
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Author: Keith Ferguson
Date: 2002-10-10 14:57
I posted a similar question last month, to which Jamie Talbot replied, indicating a personal preference for post-WWII versions of the 1010 and that those versions with the Acton vent (which I believe became a feature in the late 1960s) were generally more popular than those without. It may be that the number of 1010 players is sufficiently small that one will not find any consensus on which years were the "good years".
KF
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-10-10 17:31
Jack Brymer said in his book that the Acton vent was a big improvement and necessary for intonation in a large-bore instrument such as the 1010. The photos in the book show him playing on a 1010 with the vent. For me, he had the ideal English sound, which he got using both old and new B&H instruments.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-10-10 19:43
Mine (number 508514) is an interesting clarinet but very hard to blow (resistant). I hardly play it. I've never felt it was particularly responsive or even enjoyable to play. But there have been times when I've been able to produce a tone on it that really sets it apart from everything else I have. I think I keep it around because it's a rare bird, not because I love it. --Bill.
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-10-11 00:59
That's interesting Bill. You would think that because of the large bore it would be free blowing. Am I thinking backwards in physics? Does anyone else find the 1010 to be resistant? Could it be a mouthpiece situation. It's no secret that they require a large bore mouthpiece.
An added question, Has any company produced a quality horn with a larger bore?
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-10-11 02:20
Well, I think it may have a little bit to do with the fact that it has the original leather pads. But, there is no <b>observable</b> leakage, and I havbe had it tested by my tech for leaks. I have a large-bore Selmer that is very free-blowing. My opinion is that it's just B&H. The worst clarinet I ever played (apologies in advance here) was a B&H "2-20." I find Boosey's are hard to blow. But they are mellow, beautiful instruments. Every time I listen to an early DePeyer recording, I have a "quality moment." --Bill.
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-10-11 03:34
Bill, lol. The 2-20 was the instrument I learned on so I'm a bit partial to it. It is anything but free blowing. I have found a good MP for it and with a good reed match up it does fine. There are time though when I want to crack it over my.......anyhow, I have something else to add to this thread.
There is an Imperial Symphony 1010 on ebay right now. It is from the 70's and lacks the acton vent. I just posted the question on the boosey.com forum, but would like to do so here as well.
Is there such a thing as a difference between an "Imperial" Symphony 1010, and a 1010?
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-10-11 03:47
To the best of my knowledge, "Imperial" was 928 (or whatever that number is) and "Symphony" is 1010. --Bill.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-10-11 03:49
Seeing is believing! I just checked out the eBay auction. Golly! There really <b>IS</b> an "Imperial Symphony." Geez. Mine is just a "Symphony." To live is to learn. --Bill.
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-10-11 06:19
There you go, ya just answered my question. Bill your 1010 was made in 1980. Does it have the Acton vent? Hopefully the Boosey site will fill us in on more info. If you look at it (ebay horn) the first D ring vent isn't a smooth top cup like the traditional 1010 is. Does anyone have any experience with this type of 1010, I'm eyeing this auction carefully.
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Author: Dez
Date: 2002-10-11 08:09
When you put the serial number into he boosey site
http://www.boosey.com/Instruments/Service/FrameSerialnumbers.htm
it tells us that is was made in 1960, I assume the acton vent was not adopted then. My 1010 has a serial number of: 326783 and was made in 1970, and it does have acton vent and smooth pad cup on top joint. Also note this ebay 1010 does not have the adjustment for low F, but it has a crows foot.
Dezza
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2002-10-11 12:46
Answer to Jack Orion question above:
"An added question, Has any company produced a quality horn with a larger bore?"
Luis Rossi and Peter Eaton make high quality large bore instruments. Further details can be found at their websites (and, of course, on a search here). I play on Rossi large bore rosewood Bb and A clarinets.
Tom Piercy
thomaspiercy.com
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-10-11 15:15
Thanks Dez, I noticed that last night. I went back and punched in the serial number, double checking the sellers info. I should have known better when they stated you could use your favorite mouthpiece on it.
Oh well, it wont be my first silly question posted Mystery solved. Thanks for the inputs.
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