CLARINETS DIRECT

020 85811113 or 07787 770071

PAIR OF HAWKES EXCELSIOR SONOROUS CLARINETS, £1395

A pair of Hawkes Excelsior Sonorous Class clarinets which are a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. These are rare and early Hawkes instruments which pre-date the 1930 merger with Boosey, which created the Boosey and Hawkes Company. The pair play with a "classic" early 20th Century sound, with lots of character and projection in the tone. These instruments were professionally owned and played in The BBC Concert Orchestra by "Mick" Martin, who was second clarinet to both Michael Meyerowitz and Michael Pearce: The pair have seen much use.
The instruments have just been down to our workshop for a partial overhaul, with pads replaced as necessary, touch corks replaced, and complete regulation. The Bb, serial no. 9903, has a repaired, pinned, sealed cracks to the upper part of the upper joint, running into the top trill keys, and also at the opposite side of the bore,see photo 9. All cracks have been stable for many decades of use. This Bb is stamped "Hawkes & Son Excelsior Sonorous Class, Manufactured for Whaley Royce & Co. Ltd. Toronto Canada". The German Silver keywork throughout is in good condition. All parts are correctly matching with serial nos. including the m'piece. The A, serial no. 11681, has no cracks or repairs, though like the Bb the thumb rest has been moved higher, and the screw holes left unfilled. The German Silver keywork throughout is in good shape. Again the instrument is cottectly serialnumbered on all pieces, including m'piece. The case is a Boosey and Hawkes in brown leather, which though much used, is still functional.