Hard rubber instruments (ebonite) like this are also preferred by many musicians for their ability to stay in tune even under extreme swings in temperature and humidity.Įxcellent condition and beautiful sound! The keys, pads and cork have been properly adjusted to seat and seal and it has been play tested by a master technician at Saskatoon’s Musicraft. The craftsmanship is gorgeous! The Imperial was made popular by many saxophone doublers for its ease of playing. This pro level clarinet is right at home whether used in a classical setting…choice of many symphony players, or in a jazz setting…easily produces that “JAZZ” sound that only a large bore clarinet can produce. This instrument is lighter than a Grenadilla wood example, and has an exceptionally free and lively tone. B&H claims more craftsmanship went into the ebonite models than their Grenadilla wood counterparts…and played to the same, exacting rich sound as desired by top professionals. The Imperial 926 was manufactured to the same standard as the Imperial Symphony 1010, both top of the range professional quality instruments. These need to be seen to be appreciated.An extremely rare Boosey and Hawkes 926 Bb clarinet with a Symphony 1010 barrel, in ebonite/hard rubber (not plastic). The A is from circa 1965 and so is younger, but they both have that â€˜toneâ€™ that can only come with age.Ī matching pair that must never be separated, they come together in the original case and I include some reeds, a reed cutter, cork grease and a â€˜pull throughâ€™. They sound superb and have the resonance associated with B&H Imperial 926s and especially the Bb which is from circa 1951.

The A clarinet comes with a â€˜shortâ€™ barrel for tuning purposes and there are two mouthpieces - although I suspect that any new owner would wish to use their own. I also have the original â€˜bill of saleâ€™ from when I acquired them in 1982, and a bill for their initial service at that time. I have literally just had them both fully serviced and have the bill for the work undertaken. These were his clarinets - which he taught me with, and he only sold them to me to upgrade to a pair of â€˜Buffetsâ€™. They were kept in the B&H recreation room as clarinets to â€˜jamâ€™ on and then, when he left the B&H factory to become a teacher, these clarinets left with him. These were bought together - directly from my clarinet teacher who used to work for B&H and who selected this pair as the â€œbest of the bunchâ€ from the assembly line at that time. Unfortunately I have now not played them in many years and they need to be re-homed to someone who will pick up where I left off. Bought for me when I reached Grade 4, they then took me on to Grade 6 and beyond in playing ability. Used regularly when I was a teenager and played to a professional standard in orchestras. A beautiful pair of Boosey & Hawkes Imperial 926 - Bb and A clarinets.

Imperial boosey hawkes 926 clarinet