Klarinet Archive - Posting 000330.txt from 1995/06

From: Jay Heiser <jay@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Selmer Series 9 (look for used clarinets)
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 1995 23:01:42 -0400

I play a Series 10 that must be at least 15 yrs old, if not more. I haven't
tried any of the new Selmers, Buffetts, or anything else, but I like this
particular horn as well as an R-13.

I recommend looking for used instruments. Lots of high schoolers
buy Buffets and never play them again after college. This is a shame, but it
does
provide a source of used horns with a lot of mileage left on them.

The problem with a Selmer clarinet is the nasty looks you get when you bring it
to orchestra rehearsal. :-) In general, Buffets tend towards the
orchestra and Selmers tend towards bands. I don't know if there are any
characteristics of the
instruments that justify this -- It'd be interesting to know why this is the
case. I play with someone who prefers Buffet saxes (he's going to sell me his
Mark VI soprano when he gets a Buffet). I think this is an aberration, but I'm
probably being irrational.

I've got a Selmer alto sax (I still like Selmers better than Yamaha) and picc.
Although
I'm not a big fan of Selmer flutes, the used picc played as well as new
Gemeinhardts,
so I bought it and didn't worry about snob appeal.

> From: Bill Hall <billhall@-----.NET>
> Subject: What about Selmers?
> [snip]
> The only clarinet that I've played for any length of time is my Selmer
> Series 9*, serial number T2447, which was bought new in 1963. Is this a
> great / good / mediocre / bad / terrible clarinet? How would it compare to,
> say an R-13 or some other clarinet that is preferred by those of you who
> know about such things?