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- Boosey & Hawkes Imperial E Flat Clarinet
Boosey & Hawkes Imperial E Flat Clarinet
This is a fine condition Boosey and Hawkes Imperial, Eb Clarinet in Grenadilla wood, which is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct This Eb has an impressive Provenance, as it was this Eb that Hale Hambleton used in the Orchestra of English National Opera, as co-Principal and Eb clarinettist, until his retirement.
The Silver plated key work shows slight wear, only to the E/Bb pad cup, it is in fine condition throughout. Both LH, and RH sliver keys have been shortened to avoid accidental opening of these pads. There are no cracks or repairs to the wood, which is in pristine condition. The instrument has a mixture of tan leather pads throughout, which are all in very good condition, with hardly any wear, and some fish skin pads which are generally older. All pads are sealing well. The serial nos. are 196082, which dates to the early 1960's. The mouthpiece is a Peter Eaton, which was re-layed by Ed Pillinger to EX115, moderately open and long. It plays comfortably with Vandoren No. 3 or 2.5 reeds. In summation this Eb plays with a mellow, broad sound, and with excellent intonation.