Cundy Bettoney Cadet

Thanks to Patrick Norton for giving me the opportunity to review this clarinet!

The bell says that this was made in the Boston, USA! However I thought that I was seeing a number of Boosey & Hawkes-like traits.

Serial #FN 3228 written in very small type and vertically. On the RH joint the position is about a thumb width and directly below the thumb rest.

Barrel: 63.3mm

Bore LH joint top: 14.7mm

Bore LH joint at bottom: 14.7mm

Intonation results taken when playing loud and not lipping. See how to interpret these results on the Model Comparison Page.

For this test, I pulled 1.2mm at the barrel and 1.1mm at the center tenon.

OVERVIEW

Pitch: Bb

Key System: Boehm System

Maker: Boosey & Hawkes(?) or Cundy-Bettony

Brand Name: Cadet

Place of Manufacture: United States

Approximate Date: 1940s-1950s

Body Material: some sort of resin material

Bore Type: standard, 14.7mm

Key Metal: chrome plated

Keywork Quality: very good

Serial Number: FN 3228

Recommended For: almost anyone

Value: up to $175

Intonation summary: Great. Would have been pro-level in its day. With the name and the plastic barrel and bell, obviously this was intended as a student level instrument.

Key work quality: Very good. The pads are a little odd in sizes. The LH joint has 9.5med, and 8.25 or 8.5thin GB pads. Some keys, like the trill keys seem thin and would bend or break if abused. Nothing is going to move the thick crow foot.

This clarinet is most appropriate for: Almost anyone, beginner to advanced

Condition issues noted: None.