 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: johan
Date: 2002-11-09 07:25
I have the oportunity of playing a metal Eb clarinet for a few weeks. It is made by The Cundy Bettoney Co. in Boston, Mass. The number is A 4115 and it has US engraved on the bell. It also has a Patent n°1705634. There is a mouthpiece with it which has an engraving "Powertone" but no brand model or number. I would very much appreciate all information on these clarinets and the company.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-09 14:07
Measure the instrument for length... you may have a B-flat OR A clarinet in your possession.
Verify that there is an 'LP' or 'HP' stamp near the serial number.
Make certain that the instrument is properly adjusted to room temperature before performing (these don't like to be cold).
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-11-09 14:13
Johan - There is a lot of info in the archives here re: C B, so please search for "Bettoney", for answers to most of your questions. Then ask again for specific info, such as : that patent is the only one to Harry Bettoney that I know of, I have a copy, and believe it applies [expired] to his best clar. , the Silva-Bet [1920's] in particular. Luck, Don
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2002-11-11 05:47
I have never seen a metal Bettoney marked 'LP' or 'HP' (which doesn't mean that they don't exist, only that most of their clarinets were made after 1928) Most of the Silva Bets had serial numbers that started with an 'S'. A few early (below S1000) horns look almost idential to the later Silva Bets, but were not so marked. The ones with an 'A' serial number apparently were made for the military and have cheaper keywork. The G# in the throat, for example, was fabricated from a pad cup. a metal tube, and a single piece that attached to the pad cup at one end and had the key/finger touch at the other. Having the pad cup and the finger touch made from separate pieces makes for a stronger key.
A collector I know restored an A serial number bettoney and found that it was an excellent instrument.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-11-11 14:30
I own H. Bettoney Eb No. A571, which plays very well. As Jim says, it was manufactured for the military, without the engraving on the bell. The body is definitely silver. I'll check the G# key when I get home tonight. As I recall, mine has "U.S. Navy" engraved on the bell.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: johan
Date: 2002-11-11 14:56
Thanks everyone for the information. I have played the instrument a few times now which was not so simple since i have never played an Eb clarinet before. Still i have found the instrument to have a nice warm sound especially in the high tones. I have some problems with the throat tones (from G to Bb) but i'll try to improve this by adjusting some pads. otherwise the instrument plays very well in tune.
The G# key is made as described by Jim.I saw that all the keys have a number 15 stamped on the inside i wonder if this means something?
Johan
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-11-11 15:51
My U.S.N. wood has several differing #s stamped into the various UJ/LJ keys, some sort of "internal code"?? Very small, looks like 10,15,45? etc. Don
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