Hi. I recently bought a pair of Hawkes ans Son wooden clarinets. They date back to around 1905 and they are from the 'excelsior sonorous class.' I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the quality of this instrument. I've had to have it overhauled but im undecided whether to keep it or sell it and buy a more well known instrument that i know will be good.
Thank you

Well, what do they sound like? If they have a good tone and you can get them to play well in tune, there would seem to be no particular reason to sell them. I'm afraid I don't know anything about these clarinets, though!

Just because it's well known doesn't mean it's good. In fact, my new clarinet (Buffet E11) was so well made that they polished it before they put the corks on, meaning that they didn't stick properly and I kept finding corks in my case! It had to be sent back to be repaired.

Hawkes and Son became the Hawkes part of Boosey and Hawkes, who sold their instrument-making business to Buffet, so your clarinets have a good pedigree! If they play well and in tune, there shouldn't be a problem at all.