CLARINETS DIRECT

020 85811113 or 07787 770071

HOWARTH S2 Bb CLARINET, £1445

A near mint condition Howarth S2 Bb clarinet, which is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct. This instrument has been used extremely lightly. This was bought by an amateur in addition to his existing S2 pair, but preferring the Bb of his pair, he has decided to sell this clarinet. Whilst the original Howarth professional clainet, commonly known as the S1, featured a medium bore, the S2 has a small bore at 14.65mm, which is similar to the Buffet Crampon range of clarinets. However the Howarth, features careful precise undercutting, and a redesigned key work layout. This results in an even scale, with excellent intonation, and less maintenance, as adjusting screws are sited to allow for usual touch cork wear. In common with the Prestige range of Buffet, with which it easily competes, it features; hand selected unstained Grenadilla wood, and a LH Ab/Eb key.
The wood is in pristine condition, with no marks, consistent with careful use. There is no joint wobble. All the tan leather pads are sealing well, the only reason the clarinet can not be descibed as "mint" is that the pads are not new. The key work shows no wear or play to the mechanism. The Silver plating throughout is excellent. The Bb has matching serial nos. are 2280 . The supplied m'piece is a used Noblet in ebonite. The tuning is excellent with this, and all standard French bore m'pieces. The case is a Buffet.