 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cceeeee
Date: 2015-01-11 14:52
Hi
I wonder if you can help, please?
I bought a clarinet..my first, so am not v clued up yet..to learn on, as a Boosey and Hawks. We took it in to have it checked, pads repaired etc, and the person in the shop said they weren't sure it's a B&H, as tho it has similar attributes, there were no markings to identify it as a B&H, which was unusual to them. Another person has said the same
The serial no is N131077, and I'm keen to know what it is, out of interest
Thanks v much
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-01-11 15:28
Hi,
Can you post some photos? It's difficult to be accurate without seeing what we're discussing. As a general rule, B & H clarinets produced for UK sale do not have bell rings, but those produced for the US market do. B & H do not have alpha prefixes to their numbers, although this may not be true for some Regent 2's.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-01-11 19:41
That's a mid to late 1950s B&H serial number - they made some Edgware type clarinets (wood body with nickel plated keys) with no logos at all on them at all. It should still say 'Made in England' on the lower joint by the socket ring.
They were supplied as an outfit with the standard B&H case with accessories (black rexine covered case with burgundy lining, B&H plastic mouthpiece, B&H ligature and cap, grease tin and woollen mop, a reed in a cardboard holder and care and maintenance booklet).
A schoolfriend's dad had one of these clarinets which I used to borrow from time to time which is how I got started on clarinet until I bought my own B&H clarinet (a Series 2-20 which is an Edgware but with a metal bell ring).
If you can post some photos, that will help confirm what you have. The N prefix was usually stamped with more force than the serial number itself (and may also be slightly wonky), so you might see the outline of the rest of the punch around it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-01-11 21:09)
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Author: cceeeee
Date: 2015-01-13 01:27
Wow, that's really helpful both, Thankyou. I'll post some pics when back
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-01-13 02:45
Yes that is clearly a B&H manufactured clarinet.
The N prefix, whilst not common, I have seen before and I suspect it implies some special aspect to the instrument. I have 1953 Emperor with N prefix and it also has a slight modification to the C#/G# key to provide an easier Ab/Bb trill.
The number stamped into the key was the way B&H identified each part during manufacture, each key has of course a different number.
From the style of the case (looks original of that vintage) I would suspect it is of the Edgware quality, the Emperors were shipped in a slightly better case.
Post Edited (2015-01-13 02:50)
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Author: cceeeee
Date: 2015-01-13 02:56
Thanks v much, this is great, I love knowing more about this. C
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-01-13 12:00
That's exactly the same kind of clarinet I used to borrow (a '50s Edgware), although the one I borrowed had the more expensive case with yellow stitching and was rounded off at the front and back with gold lacquered clasps and a plastic handle. The inside was lined with thick deep burgundy fabric that cradled the joints better (Selmer CTs also came in the same style cases made for Selmer London but they were burgundy covered). Your one has the basic compact case which often results in the side keys being bent as the joints rattle about loosely in there while being carried, so add more cushioning (a duster cut and folded up and laid in the compartments will do) to cushion the joints better.
The care and maintenance manual also listed the key numbers found stamped in the undersides of the keys should you need to order a replacement, but this was rarely the case with drop forged nickel silver keys as they can be hard soldered if they break, unlike the Mazak keys which had a long number in relief on the undersides which were made from a much softer and lower melting point zinc alloy, the same stuff used for Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox model cars. Your clarinet has the much stronger drop forged nickel silver keywork, so you needn't worry about breakages as they can be silver soldered back together if that ever happens.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-01-13 13:28)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-01-13 13:31
Attachment: ct clarinet 187.jpg (80k)
Attached is a photo of a Selmer 'Centered Tone' in the more upmarket case which B&H clarinets were also supplied in - the insides are the same but B&H cases had black covering to the case shell.
The B&H case was slightly longer and had an accessories compartment on the left side and a hardboard flap by the bell (in the same place the mouthpiece is in this Selmer case) to hold the reed cards flat.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2015-01-13 23:53)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-01-13 18:34
I have seen the "N" prefix frequently and have several B&H clarinets with that, I believe it indicated instruments made for the North American ("N") market.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-01-13 19:34
"B & H do not have alpha prefixes to their numbers, although this may not be true for some Regent 2's."
I stand corrected. It's always good to learn something new. Thanks.
Tony F.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-01-13 23:32
B&H Regent II clarinets are the successor of the Evette and the precursor to the Buffet B12 and the serial numbers tie in with Schreiber's numbering system. They're almost identical to the late Evette and early B12 but have the B&H Regent style bell instead of a Buffet style bell. I've got one as my loaner clarinet should anyone need something to play on while I'm working on their clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: cceeeee
Date: 2016-09-06 19:08
I've been redirected to this post by Neil, when trying to search for information about my clarinet. I probably need to pass it on, as I never got round to using it)
I'd almost forgotten quite how much information had been contributed to this thread. Many many thanks, and to Neil in the States.
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