Klarinet Archive - Posting 000310.txt from 1995/07

From: CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Defining Model 33 Bass clarinet variations
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 1995 00:08:47 -0400

As usual, Dan has a knack for finding those points in our discussions
that start to move toward lack of clarity.

As far as I can tell ,there were actually four distinct versions of the
model 33 (Low C) Selmer bass clarinet.

Early period: Genesis

I am fairly certain that Selmer went into very limited production
of Low C bass clarinets in the early 60's due primarily to the input of
Rosario Mazzeo, then bass clarinetist with the Boston Symphony. Rosario
had experimented early on in his career with extended instruments and
had a Buffet bass clarinet that extended to Low Bb! The extension was
built at the Powell factory in Boston. That instrument is now owned by
Dennis Smylie of NY City.

The earliest Selmer 33 that I have seen is owned by Dan Leeson. The
serial # is T5967 and Dan purchased it in Paris in 1963. At that time
Low C instruments were only availble on special order. Dan's instrument
is interesting because the extended area is obviously grafted on. This
would indicate to me that the earliest Low C instruments were modified
Low Eb instruments. Interestingly, the usual problematic long B is
beautifully in tune on his instrument.

The defining mechanical characteristic of these early Low C bass
clarinets is the design of the register mechanism. The touch piece
operated by the thumb pivots like the standard register mechanism of
any clarinet. In other words, the key pivots like this:
|
|
+--|--+ (pivot axle)
|
|
|
[] (Touch piece)

I believe this design was used through serial #'s in the "X" series
(1972-73).

Alternate version: The Mazzeo model

I have only seen one of these and it is in my shop right now. The
ser# is W0458 and belongs to UC Santa Cruz. This version has the
"Mazzeo" mechanism for producing throat Bb and an extra Left hand
spatula for playing low D. Chronologically this belongs to the 1st
period.

2nd period:

This is the period that my Selmer #Y4494 comes from. I purchased
mine in 1976, but I believe it was made in late 1975. The register
mechanism was changed so that the touch piece "rotates" on a
north/south axis, Like this:

+ (pivot}
|
|
|
|
|
(pivot) +[] (Touch piece)

Apologies if this is not very clear, but if you have one you know
what this means.

Both the earliest period and this period have three keys below the
thumbrest to operate Low D, C# and C.

The latest serial # I have seen in this version is an instrument
with a "B" series. (1980-81)

3rd period : radically revised design

As I stated before, this model was very different mechanically and
acoustically from it's predecessor. The easiest way to identify this
model is that it has only two thumb keys to operate the extended tones.
This design was used approximately 1982 - 1995.

If anyone has a Selmer bass clarinet with a Serial # that might
either refute or refine the dates I have given here I would really
appreciate the information!

Clark W Fobes