 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robtom
Date: 2023-01-01 22:02
Happy new year all,
I have picked up a (The British band co' Cambridge) clarinet and I am unable to find any info anywhere.
It has made in England etched in and serial nos 185xxx with a letter 'S' just offset.
It looks to me(amateur)like a boosey.
And info would be gratefully appreciated.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-01-01 23:12
I'm guessing it's a B&H Edgware stencil from the late '50s from that info, only the photos will be able to determine that if you can manage to attach them (which isn't always easy on here).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2023-01-02 02:08
Chris,
As you suggested, It's a Boosey and Hawkes Edgware. British Band Instruments was a brand used by B&H to provide good quality instruments to mainly school bands and orchestras. They are listed in the B&H archives. I've had several pass through my hands, they're well built and play well.
Tony F.
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Author: Robtom
Date: 2023-01-02 11:43
Hi,thanks for the info gents,,I will try and give a link to some pics not holding my breath
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197324277@N04/shares/C533e1AQ5W
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-01-03 00:49
Definitely an Edgware from the late '50s, but with a metal bell ring which wasn't commonly seen on most B&H clarinets. It also has the better throat G# key design with the adjusting screw pip on the top side of the cup arm instead of going through it. The numbers stamped into the undersides of the LH levers and other touches are the factory key numbers and could be used to order replacements.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Robtom
Date: 2023-01-03 10:51
Chris,thanks for taking the time to identify it.what would the keys be ie coating.
I have another edgware serial number 251xxx which has the cross hatched f/c paddle
but not on the cambridge(bit early)
Anyway thanks again,was going to get rid of it but will keep it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-01-04 02:29
The keywork was typically nickel plated on Edgwares. The more expensive models (Imperial 926 and Symphony 1010) had silver plated keywork, unless they were ebonite bodied which makes silver plate tarnish up due to the sulphur fumes.
The cross hatched LH F/C touchpiece was standard from the early '60s onwards - there was a crossover point around the 190000-200000 mark where the two styles of keywork were both used in places and some of the new style ones still had the smooth LH F/C touchpiece.
Another feature introduced in the '60s was an elongated side Eb/Bb touchpiece like you'd see on German/Oehler systems which was seen on the Regent through to the Emperor, only they went back to the golf club-style touchpiece across the board in the '70s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2023-01-04 04:43
The second-most common B&H clarinet model found in North America (#1 by far is the Edgware) is the "Series 2-20", which has both the cross-hatched LH F/C key and the elongated lowest RH side trill key which Chris mentions.
Good clarinets, I like them a lot.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-01-04 05:25
I picked up my first Series 2-20 in 1986 while visiting Texas that summer - serial no. 234701 should anyone happen to know of its whereabouts as it got stolen from my locker when I was in college back in 1989 (I don't want it back, but it would be nice to know if someone else benefitted from it).
I'd never seen nor heard of the 2-20 in the UK and also never seen a B&H clarinet with a metal bell ring until then. Besides the name, it's identical to an Edgware. The only one I did see here was in an orange plastic case with a corrugated section on the lid which I assume was the then stock case for their export models.
With Edgwares, there are loads of stencil models of that same specification - wooden body with nickel plated keywork, either with or without a metal bell ring. The B&H Marlborough, Besson "55" and Westminster, Rudall Carte Starline and Romilly Rondo being some examples.
And at the time, B&H were one of the very few companies offering entry or intermediate level wooden clarinets in both Bb and A (as well as both Bb and A Edgwares being offered in machined PVC).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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