Description

Here is a refurbished Boosey & Hawkes Emperor clarinet in Bb. The serial number (which matches on both joints) is 272556, dating the instrument to 1966.
 
The Emperor was originally manufactured as an intermediate level instrument, with a grenadilla wood body and silver plating throughout. This example is in excellent condition, except for some minor spots of wear to the keys and a small (repaired) chip on the lower joint. There is one unusual quirk in the keywork, as the Eb/Bb key is straight (rather than curving round at 90° as in most clarinets). This is reminiscent of Albert- and Oehler-system clarinets, however anyone accustomed to conventional keywork should have no problems getting used to it as it is only a very minor departure from the norm. See photos for more detail.
 
The included mouthpiece is a Boosey & Hawkes 593 No. 2 – presumably original – and is in superb condition except for some tiny scuffs and scratches to the exterior. There is no ligature or cap provided.
 
When I obtained this instrument the case in particular was in a dreadful state, but I thought it far too adorable to throw away. Therefore I have painstakingly cleaned it up and refitted it, and it is now a masterpiece in its own right. There are two things to be aware of however: Firstly, the leather edging around the exterior was extremely worn and disintegrating. I have coated it liberally with clear silicone to protect it, but it still looks a little bit scruffy. Secondly, the case is rather small – there’s about enough spare room for a few reeds but not much else.
 
I have fully refurbished the instrument as follows:
 

• Fully dismantled.
• Cleaned key tubes, rods, instrument body and mouthpiece.
• Enlarged tube on register key to improve the fit of the rod.
• Polished keys, posts and tenon rings.
• Straightened C#/G# key, Eb/Bb key and LH2 bridge key.
• Filled a small chip in the lower joint.
• Tightened loose tenon rings on barrel, upper joint and bell.
• Sanded tenons slightly to improve fit.
• Secured loose tenon caps.
• Re-corked tenons.
• Replaced key corks as necessary.
• Fully repadded, with leather pads.
• Oiled keys.
• Oiled bore.
• Fully adjusted and set up.
• Added a protective patch to top of mouthpiece.

I have also refurbished the case as follows:
 

• Thoroughly cleaned.
• Repaired broken hinge.
• Re-fitted interior with velour-covered foam.
• Coated outer edging strips with clear silicone to help protect them from further damage.

See my other items for more refurbished clarinets.