 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-11 22:26
Attachment: P3250001.JPG (699k)
Attachment: P3260002.JPG (673k)
With LH forked Eb/Bb mechanism and articulated C#/G# mechanism built in a similar style as seen on Selmers.
It's an odd one as it's mostly 1950s style keywork and layout without any anchored pillars except the doubled pillar at the middle tenon for the LH main action keywork. Only the serial number is much later for its style being from the mid 1960s (278xxx) and also has the number 6 stamped in several places, so it's a bit of a relic for its time.
I've only seen Imperials listed with extra keywork (from the bog standard 17/6 up to 20/7 full Boehms) in catalogues, so it's good to see one in the flesh which I'll be servicing in due course. See attachments of the clarinet and the joints all stripped down ready for cleaning, polishing, new tenon corks and oiling the bore.
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.
Post Edited (2026-06-11 22:29)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: m1964
Date: 2026-06-12 07:12
Hi Chris,
How does Imperial compare to R13, Selmer 9/9* and/or Leblanc LL?
Both in tone quality and tuning.
Thanks
***I've only seen one B&H clarinet (Edgware) and that example sounded like a student clarinet (similar to E11) but tuned worse.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-06-12 13:01
The Edgware is an entry level wooden clarinet just like the E11, but the 926 Imperials had some more work done - maybe more back in the '50s and '60s but were probably not too different to Edgwares and Emperors by the '70s and into the mid '80s besides outward appearance.
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.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
