BOOSEY & HAWKES 'IMPERIAL'

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£660.00

Maker:  BOOSEY and HAWKES

Model: ‘Imperial’ - a copy of a vintage 

Alexander 103

Type:  F/Bb full double

Serial number:unreadable

Bell throat profile: medium

Alloy: silver-plated brass

Bell flare: fixed

String action on rotors 1-3; mechanical action

rotor 4.

Water key, conventional type, on the leadpipe.

Fibreglass hard case, much-used but serviceable.

Further details: a good example of the legendary B &

H ‘Imperial’, a copy of a vintage Alexander 103 with a

central / cylindrical bore of 11.9 mm rather than the

current Alexander bore of 12.1 mm.

Visually/ cosmetically: Its silver plate is in

'good to fair' condition, with quite a lot of wear inside the

bell throat and many scratches and scuffs in various

places.  There is a slight 'kink' in the leadpipe, not

affecting the horn's playing.

   The ‘Imperial’ was played by members of the BBC

Symphony Orchestra’s horn section when led by

Douglas Moore during the period 1945-1969.

       A fine horn in many ways, with good rotor

compression and a ringing sound.

Its only somewhat negative feature is its weight:

2.9 kg, quite a lot heavier than the 2.5 kg 'default'

that is encountered on many (but not all) full

double horns.

Distance from finger hook to 4th valve lever: 10.3 cm

(very slightly wider than the average 9.5 cm found on many

double horns)

NB: This is an important specification that is often neglected

or overlooked by horn sellers, makers and even some teachers.

Although it is a 'Professional quality' instrument, it is

also listed in the Intermediate category on account

of its modest price.

The photos can be viewed in greater detail

by opening and saving them.

Halstead Music Ltd acts as an agent only,

accepting no responsibility as a principal.

Contact us to buy this item