 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-04-17 12:50
Just wondering if anyone owns or has played one of these older Howarth clarinets (from the late '40s to early '50s) as I've never seen any of them in person.
And how similar are they to Louis Chas Draper models?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 12:52
Attachment: IMG_2453.jpeg (1753k)
I know this is an old thread. But I have a matched pair. A Bb and the A. I’ve only ever seen a picture of the Louis Chas Draper. The wood seemed to be lighter on the Chas Draper. But that could’ve been the lighting.
I’ll try to attach a picture of the Howarths.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-28 13:30
Thanks for that - they look far more like older (pre '60s) B&H clarinets than Louis clarinets, but with oboe style pad cups with the pointed cup arms running right across the pad cups. Josef clarinets have that same look about them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 13:39
The Bb is badly tarnished, but is in better condition than it looks. I started cleaning some of the keys and trim rings without touching the wood. The Bb will be going in for professional servicing as soon as the local repairer finishes moving into their new location.
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 13:42
I should add… According to Howarth of London’s records, these two are from June 1950.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-28 14:00
I hope you've chosen a repairer who can do them justice as there are many that don't know one end of a screwdriver from the other (and NAMIR has loads of them in their directory).
You can use a silver cloth to polish the plating and that won't harm the wood. Only ever use Silvo or similar liquid/cream polishes while everything is apart and you can clean out any polish that gets where it shouldn't
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Reply To Message
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 14:19
The ring on the bell and the ring between the top and bottom sections came unglued. So I used Silvo on them and the pinky keys. And stopped there. I’ll let the repairer clean the rest when they take it apart.
Long story. But the Bb sat in a vault in a bank for decades before I got it. The A had a better life, and was maintained properly. But they are the true match pair according to Howarth’s serial number records.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-28 14:41
That's the thing with companies like Louis and Howarth as they could make sets of instruments with consecutive serial numbers.
If you get a silvercloth and tear it into 1" wide strips, you can use them to strop pillars, all the nooks and crannies in keys and strop the socket rings while they're still fitted - although it's best to remove the needle springs just in case they get snagged or snapped off.
Silver plate will always polish up to a nice bright shine.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Reply To Message
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 20:08
Thank you Chris. These clarinets are too good to be retired and turned into display pieces or wall art. My goal is to have the Bb gone over by a professional repair tech and actually play them. I’ve played the A. And it has the rich sound you would expect from a wood clarinet. The mouthpiece on the A is stamped with G Howarth’s name, logo, and address. G Howarth being the father of Tom Howarth, one of the three founders of Howarth & Co (now named Howarth of London)
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 21:20
Funny you bring that up. The interesting story. The shortened version is this…
I had the Bb (serial #1085) in the original case, and didn’t know about the history of Howarth. I wasn’t aware they made a small number of clarinets between 1949 and 1952. It was only recently I found out the history. I contacted Howarth and asked them about my clarinet. And provided pictures of #1085. At the same time, I ran across that ad for the pair at Clarinets Direct. Showing serial numbers 1168 and 1086. A couple days later, Howarth replied back telling me #1085 was made in June 1950. And was sold as a pair with #1086.
I don’t know how or when they got separated. But 1085 and 1086 are now back together. I’m not a collector. I’m just a musician and appreciate the history. I felt it was only right to re-unite the true matched pair. I want to give the Bb (1085) the love and care it needs, bring it back to its former glory, and actually play them. My main instrument is saxophone. But I want to learn to play these. And hopefully they live to see their 100th birthday.
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 21:36
John…
According to the info I’ve read, the Howarth NS1 clarinets fit best with the mouthpieces of B&H clarinets of the day. Which makes sense considering the three founders of Howarth were former employees of B&H.
I measured the bore on the Bb Howarth. It’s hour glass shaped. The top of the top section measures 15mm. At the joint between the top and bottom section the bore measures 14mm. Then gradually flares back outward into the bell.
When I played the A it tuned very well. With the mouthpiece pushed all the way in, it came up perfectly in tune according to my tuner.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-10-28 21:52
Remove 1000 from the serial number to get the real quantity of Howarth pro level instruments (oboes, d'amores, cors and the NS1 clarinets) with four figure serial numbers as they started numbering them from 1001 back in 1947.
Howarth pro level clarinets (S1, S2 and S3) from the '90s use a different numbering system as do the student wooden ones made by Marigaux from the '80s.
I've recently sold a 1948 Selmer BT and know other players with much older Selmers, Buffets, B&H and whatnot, so all these old clarinets still have plenty of playing life in them and deserve the time, effort and money spent on their upkeep.
Whoever overhauled the set sold at Clarinets Direct didn't do them any justice at all - absolutely shoddy workmanship.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Reply To Message
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Author: Lou99
Date: 2025-10-28 22:38
It looks like they cleaned them to sell them. The bores look dry. I have bore oil.
All 3 need professional attention. I’ll start with #1085
Post Edited (2025-10-28 22:41)
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