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- Boosey & Hawkes, Imperial, Bass Clarinet
Boosey & Hawkes, Imperial, Bass Clarinet
This is a rare B&H Imperial Bass clarinet, which has been owned most recently by Derek Hannigan of the BBC Concert Orchestra. Unfortunately due to recent changes by HMRC in how self assessed tax year ends are regulated, an extra large tax bill forces this, and other instruments to be offered for sale. This original B&H design, now copied by Buffet, allows for a third joint which extends the range from low Eb to low C. The advantage of the extra joint being that the player can choose to extend the range at will. This excellent Bass has been further customised with a wooden bell handmade by John Coppen. The matching serial numbers, on all 3 joints, are 398434, which dates to 1973. Given the busy life this Bass has lead it is in excellent condition. There are couple of minor pin head dings to the sleeved and adjustable crook, and a solder repair to the crook tenon, the usual weak spot in the design. The Grenadilla wood is in excellent condition throughout, with no cracks or repairs. This design features a double overblowing mechanism, with articulated C#/G# and LH Ab/Eb, and it was to some extent an improvement on the contemporary Selmer Mark 1 low C Bass with which it competed. The instrument has excellent condition super-pads throughout, it is in fine regulation, and comes in a used BAM case, with a good condition Vandoren B40 m'piece.