Klarinet Archive - Posting 000408.txt from 1996/02

From: Floyd Williams <f.williams@-----.AU>
Subj: Selmer clarinets
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 18:15:01 -0500

Re Selmer clarinets:I find the conventional wisdom regarding which clarinet
brand makes a "dark" or "bright" tone to be more or less useless when it
comes to selecting a new clarinet.I doubt if anyone on the list would
suggest that they can tell from listening to a player what kind of clarinet
they play.I have recently purchased a Selmer Recital after years of playing
Buffet and Yamaha clarinets.Being as objective as possible,I find the
intonation and ease of response to be better than I have experienced lately
with Buffet and Yamaha.I can use regular fingerings in the high register for
the first time ever and the note to note intonation is excellent. All
pitches in the third register are easier to produce.It is a few ounces
heavier, but not excessively so.Your favourite mouthpiece may or may not
tune the best on it,due to the rather different bore. I am able to use a
Kaspar with a .595 end bore, but it is probably happier with something
closer to .585.If you are looking for a new clarinet,give them a try.
Floyd Williams
Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Brisbane, AUSTRALIA