Clarinet in B Flat (Eight Keys)
Catalogue number: 4.5
Original name: Clarinet in B flat.
Type or system: Eight Keys.
Maker: Cramer & Son.
Place of origin: London, c.1808 - 1812.
Overall size: 594mm total length, not including mouthpiece.
Bore: Barrel: 20mm - 24.6mm; upper joint: 14mm - 14.2mm: lower joint: 14mm - 17.6mm; bell: 22mm - c.58mm.
Technical description: Four sections of ‘tigered’ boxwood. Barrel: 56mm; upper joint: 229.5mm; lower joint: 242mm; bell: 117mm.
Ivory ferrules and bell rim. No mouthpiece. Eight flat square brass keys (flap design A ), mounted on seven raised blocks and one raised ring. Springs attached by rivet to keys.
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Key work and finger holes |
Finger hole diameter (av.) |
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Left hand thumb: |
T; Speaker / B flat |
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Left hand, first finger: |
T; A natural |
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Left hand, second finger: |
T. |
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Left hand, third finger: |
T; E flat / B flat |
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Left hand, fourth finger: |
Low F sharp / C sharp; Low E / B natural. |
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Right hand, first finger: |
T; A - B natural trill key |
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Right hand, second finger: |
T; B natural / F sharp |
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Right hand, third finger: |
T. |
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Right hand, fourth finger: |
T; A flat / E flat |
Inscription: Stamped on upper and lower joints: “1 / CRAMER & SON / LONDON / (motif: unicorn head)”; Stamped on Barrel: 1 / CRAMER / LONDON / (motif: unicorn head).
Faults: One crack on barrel running the length; one at the top of the upper joint running from the top to the throat B key; top barrel ferrule missing, replaced with brass. No mouthpiece. Top joint has been cut down. Bottom joint and/or bell has been cut down.
Repair history: Brass ferrules fitted to top of bell and upper joint.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 435 Hz.
Recording references: Click here
Illustration references: See below
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 32f.
Previous owner: William Bentley.
Collection assignation: Shareshill Church Collection.
Gallery of Images
