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BOOSEY & HAWKES 'IMPERIAL'
£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.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd.